OXFORD — From a LEGO Starburst to lava lamps, bridge-building and slime-making, the Maine Engineering Expo allowed 38 Oxford Elementary School students to learn about engineering and what engineers do.
The school was one of 16 to receive a transportation grant from the Maine Engineering Promotional Council so students could attend the Expo at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham on Saturday, March 4.
The students, along with 22 parents and two staff, got a chance to see what engineers do, said Ruth Wilson, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics teacher at the elementary school.
The Expo was part of the nationally recognized Engineers Week in Maine. It was celebrated with an annual “E-Week Banquet and Expo,” where some 1,700 engineers, educators, and students gathered for hands-on activities and workshops to learn about engineering and what engineers do, according to information from MEPC.
“Neither the students or parents wanted to leave when time was up,” Wilson said.
“I loved how everything was hands-on and I loved how everyone there shared all of the stuff there,” said Ashley L., a sixth-grade student.
Students’ last names were not released.
Parent Jennifer Roy wrote in an email to Wilson after the event, “This was my first time attending this Expo. I had my 4th and 6th grade sons with me, their first time attending as well. We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There was so much to see, learn and try for ourselves. I showed up that morning with two young boys who already dread the thought of college, and I left with those same young boys newly excited about the opportunities college could give them! They learned firsthand from this Expo that the sky is the limit!”
Wilson said the group met Ron Brown, the electrical engineer who participated in the school’s annual Aspire Higher Career Fair last fall.
Another surprise for the group was meeting Amber Dennison, an Oxford Elementary School alumni and current engineering student at the University of Maine.
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Electrical engineer Ron Brown, left, who participated in the Oxford Elementary School Career Day last fall, talks with students, from left, Caleb Morrison, Ryan Preston, Ivree Choate, Joanna Simard and Hannah Gomes at the Maine Engineering Expo at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham on March 4. Parent Joanna Gomes, background, accompanied the students.
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