MSD students learn engineering and computer science during Career Day

Trine University faculty and students introduced third- through fifth-grade students in the Steuben County Metropolitan School District to many fields of engineering and computer science during MSD Career Day on May 20.

Wendy Yagodinski, chair of the Trine Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Jeremy Goossens, director of e-sports, Dr. Gary Greene, chair of the Trine Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Reiners and Dr. Amanda Malefyt, professor of chemical engineering, and students from the Franks School of Education at Trine interacted with over 500 MSD students during the event.

“Wendy did quite a few virtual reality and augmented reality outreach visits to Carlin Park Elementary School,” Malefyt said. “They contacted her to ask if she wanted to attend Career Day.”

“We then decided to create a booth that would provide a more complete picture of the programs we offer at Trine’s Allen School of Engineering and Computing to showcase the variety of activities and careers that engineering and computer science can encompass.”

Students had the opportunity to use a Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality headset to create augmented reality play spaces. Third graders created a lock, fourth graders constructed airplane designs and tested flight distances and times, and fifth graders built foam truss bridges.

Materials were provided through a Lilly Endowment grant to Trine’s Pre-College Outreach and Engagement.