Youngsters learn about engineering from UNL majors

UNL Engineering Ambassadors Network held an Engineering Carnival to attract young children to the growing field on Sunday.

Kids, from the second to eight grade, made bridges, roller coasters, and wind turbines. It all was to spark interest in engineering.

“It’s kind of fun, being able to explore the different types like aerodynamics engineering and just how it works, showing how energy flows through different things,” said Stella Davis, a Lincoln fourth grader.

The carnival was a fundraiser and for a dollar per ticket, children visited each station to create something new.

The hands–on projects are a way to get a young student’s attention geared towards different skills, like problem solving and hand–eye–coordination.

“Our goal as ambassadors is to create change in engineering and change how kids actually think about it,” said Makayla Rosenthal, president of the UNL Engineering Ambassadors Network. “Because a lot of people think it’s just math and science but it’s really about the innovation and using problem solving. So, we do this event just to kind of get kids interested in it.” 

The fundraiser supports the ambassadors who present programs to the K-12 community, doing hands–on games and activities.

“Ambassadors is one of my favorite organizations, just working with the kids and having them a chance to do hands-on activities like this,” said Jamie Turnquist, the treasurer of the UNL Engineering Ambassadors Network. “So, honestly I love seeing the kids have a good time, watching them walk in. They all just look so excited and their faces light up.”

This is the second year of the carnival, if you would like more information on how to bring the UNL Engineering Ambassadors to your school, visit https://engineering.unl.edu/engineering-clubs/engineering-ambassadors-network/.