News & Events

Family Engineering in Florida

The University of Florida Transportation Research Center (TRC), in conjunction with the WTS UF Student Chapter and UF ITE Student Chapter, hosted an informal engineering education program in February at Lawton Chiles Elementary School in Alachua County, named “Family Engineering Night.” Seventy-three families attended, with a total count of 120 elementary-age children participating in the activities. The event was sponsored by the University of Florida College of Engineering and the City of Gainesville.

Student chapter volunteers from both WTS and ITE actively engaged elementary-aged children and their families in fun, hands-on engineering activities. Family engineering activities were designed to be team driven by children aged 7-12 and their parents, or other adult caregiver. By showing interest and exploring engineering with their children, parents and other caregivers can positively influence a child’s attitude about engineering, as well as encourage their children to consider engineering as possible career.

Both WTS and ITE student chapters have adopted the Family Engineering Night program as part of their outreach activities and plan to host additional Family Engineering Nights at local elementary schools.

Photos:  Amy Elizabeth Photography