AASHTO Journal - North Dakota DOT Launches New STEM Program

The North Dakota Department of Transportation recently launched a new science, technology, engineering, and math or STEM education program aimed at promoting interest in transportation careers to high school students; an initiative based on the AASHTO STEM Outreach Solutions program offered through the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

[Above photo by North Dakota DOT]

The North Dakota DOT noted that it recently met with teachers at the North Dakota Career and Technical Education Professional Development Conference to present and demonstrate STEM modules that are available to schools at no cost.

Modules include bridge design; design and construction; environmental engineering; traffic engineering; and highway safety.

The program’s hands-on activities introduce students to the work of transportation and civil engineering, with the aim to inspire them to consider careers in those fields, the agency said.

The North Dakota DOT added that educators will implement and teach the modules in their classrooms, with agency personnel and engineering consultants working with those educators and visiting classrooms to serve as speakers, teach a hands-on activity, and/or talk to students about the importance of math and science in preparing for their future.

The AASHTO STEM Outreach Solution program also includes participating students in the annual AASHTO Bridge Challenge; a nationwide competition that consists of five phases: Designing bridges via Model Smart and Bentley software; building a physical bridge model using glue and balsa wood from pre-packaged kits; developing a portfolio; conducting a presentation in front of a panel of judges; and destructive testing of the bridge models to calculate their ultimate strength-to-weight ratios.

Sponsored by Bentley Systems, Michael Baker International, TopoDOT, HNTB, HDR, Housman and Associates, Professional Engineers in California Government or PECG, HeadLight, and Rawlins Infra Consult, the AASHTO Bridge Challenge is designed to put the STEM disciplines learned by middle and high school students into practice.

“STEM education is very important for the future of our transportation system,” said Ron Henke, NDDOT’s director, in a statement. “We are excited for this program to get started and are looking forward to partnering with local schools in North Dakota to promote transportation careers.”