ADA, OH (WLIO) - Some local students are taking a closer look at a career path they may not have thought of before and had some fun doing it. Our Katie Honigford takes us on a field trip to Ada.
"I'm only in 8th grade so I don't really know what I want to do but I'm open to experiencing new things and exploring my options," commented Layo Awe, an 8th Grader from Heir Force Community School.
And exploring their options is what middle school students from Heir Force Community School did during Experience Engineering Day at Ohio Northern University. The university got a grant to invite students to learn about the different aspects of engineering. The students did hands-on activities involving machines, structural engineering, and learned how to program robots to perform specific tasks.
"Engineering is how math and science help us every single day," said Hailey Hinkle, a 6th Grader from Heir Force Community School. "I love the fact that I'm learning something new. I like to have that experience with me in the future as it can help me grow."
Experience Engineering gives students the chance to get their hands and minds working, just like the college students in the engineering program.
"So hands-on learning has become our brand in this building and we've got rooms all through the building where our students have labs and shops and study space and workspace, and we share that with these visitors today, and they get to see yeah college isn't just sitting at a desk and taking notes. It's actually building it and testing it," stated Tom Zechman, Asst. Dean of Engineering ONU.
Even if they don't take the engineering path, the day is beneficial for the Heir Force students who are figuring out their futures.
"For students to have the opportunity to engage in opportunities to do problem solving, utilize critical thinking skills, all those skills are transferable to whatever career choice that anybody chooses to embark upon," commented Dr. Willie Heggins, Heir Force Community School.
"Well I like a lot of different things, like I like math, engineering, I like nature, animals, ASL, that kind of thing. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, I got a lot of different stuff," added Heidi Zink, 8th Grader Heir Force Community School.
Heir Force has a long-standing relationship with Ohio Northern and they are just one of six schools that will be taking part in Experience Engineering Day at the college.
