Fifth grade students learned about engineering and water safety during a classroom visit by Bruce Bassett, an engineer specializing in water treatment and infrastructure at Brown and Caldwell, according to an April 24 announcement.
The lesson aimed to raise awareness among students about the role of engineers in everyday life. Using a coffee pot and filter, Bassett demonstrated how water filtration processes help make drinking water safe for people.
Sydney Hartsel, the class teacher who invited Bassett, said his demonstration helped students understand the importance of engineering careers. "He showed the kids what people within his field do and how it impacts us," Hartsel said. "Because without them we wouldn’t have drinking water."
Bassett's visit included interactive elements such as quizzes before and after his presentation to gauge student knowledge on water topics. According to Hartsel, students were engaged throughout the session: "They asked clarification questions regarding things they had learned in science," she said, noting that this allowed them to connect their school lessons with real-world applications.
Hartsel also observed that some students expressed interest in pursuing engineering as a career following Bassett's visit. "Since then," she said, "a couple of kids have said that they want to go into engineering."
