They combined a little fun with some serious learning. Twenty-six students came to Rainbow City Middle School on a hot summer day to learn about some of the cool things engineers do.

Media – soundbites are available for your use below.

These students, from five Etowah County schools, participated in an iCan Girls in Engineering learning event on Tuesday, July 29.

The students participated in three projects. The first exercise was based on electrical engineering, where the participants created a burglar alarm.

The second activity was tied closely to civil engineering. The goal was to build a structure out of Legos and, working as a team, write directions on how to build the structure. Groups then rotated, allowing a new team of young students to rebuild the same structure using the instructions.

The third project was based on mechanical engineering techniques and skills. This project presented the Rube Goldberg technique to the girls. Each girl had to build a contraption out of boxes, Slinky toys, duct tape, string and various other materials to “feed their dog.” The goal was to get dog food (marbles) through a five-step process to an animal (cup). The girls graded each other on creativity and teamwork.

Lauren Moore of  Glencoe High School attended the iCan event. “I decided to come here on my own. My science teacher requested me and I took that as an opportunity.”

Several groups worked to bring this first iCan event to Rainbow City Middle School. These include Alabama Power Eastern Division engineers, volunteers with the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) and the Etowah County Board of Education. The students learned about the different kinds of engineering jobs and what they could do with an engineering degree.

Parents who attended were able to listen to various panels during the day. This panel of employees relayed their personal experiences and shared why they chose the profession. They also told the parents why they’d recommend an engineering career for their daughters. Members of a second panel explained the scholarship application process and how the parents can prepare when their children are in high school. The parents and students both received information on various engineering schools.

For their attendance at this iCan event, the students were also given a certificate of achievement. For more information on iCan, visit www.icanengineer.com.

*Soundbites from Jennifer Robinson, Alabama Power engineer