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RIDOT and URI lighting a spark to spur on future engineers

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and the University of Rhode Island (URI) are once again teaming up to provide an array of hands-on learning experiences for high school students at the 4th Annual Engineering Career Day. The event is scheduled for Friday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the URI Engineering Department in Kirk and Wales Halls in South Kingstown.

The goal of the half day program is to demonstrate the many types of jobs available to students should they choose to study engineering in college. Throughout the morning, students will rotate in and out of four learning laboratories. These include highway design and traffic engineering, field survey and geographic information systems, storm water management, hazardous materials and environmental planning, and bridge and geotechnical technologies. Students will use computer-based simulation programs to work out real-world problems such as making bridges stronger and reducing traffic jams.

Approximately 160 high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors are expected to attend from the following schools: Blackstone Academy Charter School (Pawtucket); East Providence Career & Technical Center (East Providence); GAP Program/Talent Development (Providence); Middletown High School (Middletown); Mount Pleasant High School (Providence); Newport Area Career & Technical Center (Newport); North Smithfield High School (North Smithfield); The College Crusade of RI (Providence); Times 2 Academy (Providence) and Tolman High School (Pawtucket).

The day is sponsored by RIDOT along with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the URI Transportation Center, the URI College of Engineering, and the Rhode Island Consulting Engineers. Engineering Career Day is the final event for National Transportation Week.

Note: Media visiting Engineering Career Day can view all the learning laboratories and interview students. Local media can contact Charles St. Martin at 401-222-1362 ext. 4007 in advance to arrange interviews with schools from your coverage area.

Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007

Related links

  • Department or agency: Department of Transportation
  • Online: http://www.dot.ri.gov
  • Release date: 05-19-2010

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