DOT STEM mentoring program encourages students

Studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is a terrific start to a career in Transportation.  Essential knowledge in these areas enables us to move forward with bridges that span great distances, new high speed rail designs, and vehicles and aircraft with enhanced performance and improved fuel-efficiency.

To help develop tomorrow's transportation workforce, the Department of Transportation mentoring program combines the expertise of DOT employees with the curiosity and enthusiasm of young minds.  On average, DOT's STEM mentors work 2 hours per week assisting students in grades K-12 with their studies in these crucial areas.

As a former teacher, I can tell you that working with children is a reward in itself, but I want to personally thank each of these mentors.  They are not only serving as role models and mentors for these students; they are also introducing them to all the great career possibilities ahead, including transportation.

NHTSA mentors work with members of Phelps HS Robotics Team 2912 on their robot

In addition to helping kids with their studies, DOT mentors also serve as advisors to students competing in STEM prize challenges.  For example, professionals from NHTSA have supported high school engineering teams in the US First Robotics Competition.

And one agency, the Federal Aviation Administration, actually helps supply the very challenges that are exciting students across the country.  Each year, the Real World Design Challenge asks teams of high school students to design enhancements that improve aircraft performance and fuel-efficiency.  Through RWDC, students use professional design software to account for the forces of lift, weight, thrust, and drag as they work toward a successful prototype to meet the FAA's specifications.

The Real World Design Challenge, like many effective STEM programs, benefits from a strong public-private partnership and support from professional mentors.  It also features two tiers of competition, beginning with a Governor's Challenge at the state level, followed by a national competition here in Washington, DC.  Both levels of competition are managed by volunteer judges from industry, government, and academia.

 

Whether it's working with local students on their STEM classes, steering a team through a competition, judging entries, or providing the challenges that fuel a competition, you can find DOT volunteers giving back to their communities while also helping ensure a future pipeline of well-prepared transportation professionals.

Comments

[lori santos]

No it does not encourage students! I am a 54yr old student missing a decent sized part of my brain! Due to go on for my Masters Degree this fall, but am stopped because I cannot get Para transit in Honolulu by a gatekeeper that says today, "...stop trying to discredit my program." I reminded him, the paratransit program is the taxpayer's program, he has now kidnapped me and is holding me hostage in my home refusing me the transportation i need!!! FYI United we ride is a farce put out by the FTA! For a solid three weeks I have tried and tried to get this heard. Yesterday having a coffee with a woman whose paratransit was taken from her. Now her medical carrier pays for her disability transportation! Oh good all the taxpayers will be proud to know of the double billing for transportation! One via taxes and one via the insurance companies now!