Two years ago, Schaefer partnered with Doodles + Digits, a math education resource, to explain how structural engineers use math every day. Project Manager Fae Garstang, PE helped explain to Doodles + Digits’ YouTube audience how + what type of math principles are important for structural engineering. The series, including Fae’s segment, has recently been picked up by PBS. Over the next three years, it’ll be available on the PBS app, PBS.org and various PBS stations across the country. This summer, it will be on PBSlearningmedia.org with lesson plans for teachers.
Watch Schaefer Project Manager Fae Garstang on PBS here.
Partnering with Doodles + Digits was a natural fit – Schaefer regularly participates in educational programs + events focused on introducing the next generation to the architecture/engineering/construction industry.
Many of our team members participate in elementary career days, explaining what engineers do. Schaefer team members may also connect with local middle + high school students through two programs: CPS Strong and Makers+Shakers. CPS Strong, hosted by University of Cincinnati College of Engineering + Applied Science, is a six-week summer physics course available to Cincinnati Public School students. Physics is a prerequisite course for some engineering colleges and CPS is a district that lacks physics class availability for all its students. CPS Strong fills the physics credit gap.
Makers+Shakers is a Schaefer internal initiative that literally shows structural engineering at work. Volunteers educate students about basic structural engineering principles and guide them through building a K’nex tower that is tested against earthquake tremors on a shake table.
Schaefer believes in connecting with students early in their education to present structural engineering as a career option, and to help build the next generation of our industry to better reflect the diversity found in the communities in which we work.
