The United States faces a shortage of engineering graduates, according to the America Society of Civil Engineers, and national Engineers Week, which runs through Feb. 24, aims to spur interest in the field among young students.
Garver, a multi-disciplined engineering firm based in North Little Rock, spent the week recruiting potential future engineers at local schools and introducing a larger population of students to STEM.
As part of Engineers Week festivities in central Arkansas, engineers from Garver visited Crystal Hill and Crestwood elementary schools to share with students why they should consider becoming an engineer and the steps it takes to get there. Their visits include an engineering activity — building model airplanes, testing popsicle stick bridges, building their own water filtration systems — to give the students an up-close look at what engineers do and how they support our communities.
The future of infrastructure — including clean drinking water, highways, and air travel — depends on the next generation of engineers, including the fourth graders around the country, said Garver COO Michael Graves.
“Engineers Week is an opportunity to engage young minds with engineering as they begin to have a choice in enrolling in more advanced science and math courses,” he said. “Getting more eyes on engineering is integral to the future of our communities and their infrastructure. Classrooms across the country will participate in STEM-minded activities like building model airplanes, gumdrop bridges and water bottle filtration systems. This early exposure and excitement about engineering can steer the future of their careers. Garver is doing its part to help develop a new generation of engineers and invest in our communities.”
