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ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A youthful spirit bounced through the halls
of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District as children
learned about the different responsibilities of the organization
that employs their parents.
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Twenty-four children between the ages 9 and 17 visited the district
headquarters building Feb. 14, 2014 to participate in the biennial
Bring Your Youth to Work Day event. The kids were encouraged to
think about future careers in the fields of science, technology,
engineering and mathematics. Demonstrations exposed them to
different elements of the Corps of Engineers such as breakwaters,
cost engineering, computer generated modeling, environmental
sampling and wetland permitting.
(U.S. Army photo by John Budnik)
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With wide eyes and plentiful curiosity, 24 children
between the ages 9 and 17 visited the district headquarters
building Feb. 14 to participate in the biennial Bring Your
Youth to Work Day event. The kids were encouraged to think
about future careers in the fields of science, technology,
engineering and mathematics as well.
“It's an
outreach to the community and to the families of the
district,” said Tatton Suter, event coordinator and civil
engineer in the Engineering Division. “The more knowledge we
can get out there, the more people will understand our role
in the community.”
The Corps recognizes that
education in the hard sciences plays a critical role in
enabling the United States to remain an economic and
technological leader in the global marketplace. The Corps is
committed to teaming with others to strengthen STEM-related
programs that inspire current and future generations of
young people to pursue careers in those fields.
"We
are committed to keeping America technologically strong by
promoting careers in STEM," said Maj. Mark DeRocchi, deputy
commander of the Alaska District. "By bringing children of
Corps employees into the workplace we hope to cultivate
their interest in the same or related career field for the
future."
The children were welcomed to the Alaska
District with presentations about the duties of each
division. Afterwards, the children rotated between five
stations filled with hands-on activities during the morning
session. Each demonstration exposed them to a different
element of the Corps of Engineers such as breakwaters, cost
engineering, computer generated modeling, environmental
sampling and wetland permitting.
In the afternoon,
the groups attended an introduction to FIRST LEGO League
robotics. Bruce Sexauer, chief of the Planning Section in
the Civil Works Branch, coaches a Girl Scouts of Alaska
robotics team. Recently crowned state champs, his crew
showcased a few challenges that are faced during
competitions such as problem-solving, teamwork and
communication.
“This is a great hands-on experience
for the kids to be able to build something and experiment
with computer programming in a structured environment,”
Sexauer said.
Capt. Robert Weakland, civil engineer
in the Geotechnical and Materials Section, and a pilot for
the Alaska Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 207th
Aviation Regiment, led a field trip to the unit's helicopter
hangar on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. A UH-60 Black
Hawk was available for an up-close experience and the
children learned about the physics of flight.
The
youthful spirit had grown weary by the end of the day, but
the children went home with a greater appreciation for their
parents' careers and perhaps a few ideas for their future.
“The earlier we can communicate to youth the importance
of an education, it will open doors for them,” Suter said.
“Those doors will lead to greater possibilities.”
By U.S. Army John Budnik
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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