Chemical Engineering

Undergraduates Share Knowledge, Enthusiasm with Middle School Students, continued

Undergraduate chemical engineering student Deanna Gampp works with middle school student Tyson Webb on the oil spill simulation.

"They're so focused," Grace, says, observing the exercise led by four undergraduates from the chemical engineering department at CU-Boulder. "It's been really fun." Organized by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers student chapter at CU-Boulder, with the help of Professor Alan Weimer, the outreach project at Longmont's Sunset Middle School involved 40 chemical engineering undergraduates and more than 400 sixth- and seventh-grade students over a two-day period in February.

"Initially, we were going to go to one classroom," says undergraduate Janice Huang, who helped to organize the effort. "But so many students were interested in helping out, we went back to the school to ask if more classes wanted to participate."

"It took a little bit of doing, but I think engineers in general are very conscientious people, and we wanted to give something back to the community," adds co-organizer Barr Halevi. "I think the level of thought and participation was very good. They grasped some of the principles involved quite well." The middle-schoolers also got an idea of some of the things chemical engineers do. "They find ways to make the environment better," seventh-grader Catherine Heller offers.

"I think it's a great time to expose kids to chemical engineering," says Huang. "When I was their age, I had this stereotype of engineers building bridges."

Departmental Advisory Board