Middle school students to get glimpse of engineering

Fort Scott Middle School students will receive some hands-on technological experience when area professionals visit the school next week.

Three engineers from 3M, a manufacturing facility in Nevada, Mo., will be on campus Wednesday to give a presentation and participate in a problem-solving activity with students in Stephanie Grantham's technology classes as part of National Engineers Week.

In past years, activities have included making parachutes, small-scale towers and roller coasters, and other structures. Students participate in a brand new activity each year.

The engineers introduce themselves and give a very brief presentation, then talk to students about the type of education a person needs to become an engineer, as well as the purpose of the 3M plant and its location. Then, they explain the chosen activity to students and the students engage in challenges and a competition while working on the project, Grantham said.

FSMS has received visits from 3M engineers each year for the last several years, she said.

"I always say 'yes' to them," Grantham said. "It's really educational and students enjoy it."

The engineers plan to visit six different classes throughout the day.

Students often look forward to the engineers' visit and the chance to work together in groups in a learning activity, Grantham said.

"The students usually really enjoy it and are really well-behaved," she said. "They like to participate in the program."

Denise Jenkins, a chemical engineer at the Nevada plant, said the three engineers who plan to visit Fort Scott are among 35 3M engineers who are scheduled to visit 10 area schools -- most of them in Missouri -- during National Engineers Week. FSMS is the only school in Kansas that will be visited, she said.

Across the company, 3M engineers "do some type of activity" each year during the week, Jenkins added.

"The plant is very supportive of these community service activities," she said.

Jenkins said the engineers also show examples of products made at the Nevada facility, talk about salary comparisons among different types of engineers, and preparatory classes students must take to enter the profession. They provide all materials needed for student activities.

During the team experiment, students are taught how to build projects using certain requirements and using the "minimum amount of materials and maximum amount of support," Jenkins said.

National Engineers Week has been celebrated during the third full week of February since 1951. It is observed by more than 70 engineering, education and cultural societies, and more than 50 corporations and government agencies. Its purpose is to call attention to the contributions engineers make to society and is a time for engineers to emphasize the importance of learning math, science and technical skills.

This year, it begins Sunday and continues through Saturday, Feb. 26.