Students with Blue Mountain Union School, Wells River, Vermont, recently visited the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory to learn about plants, robotics, microbes and sea ice.
Rehired annuitant Research Civil Engineer Leonard Zabilansky provided an overview of the Ice Engineering Facility, which is the capstone of his year-long involvement in the 7th graders’ science curriculum; their visit is the third segment of their School-to-Work Program.
Scientist Brandon Booker spoke with the students in the greenhouse regarding the Army’s plant needs for vegetation of their training areas; Engineers Dr. Jim Lever and Garrett Hoch gave an in-depth look at their robots; in the biochemistry lab Robert “RJ” Jones gave an interactive presentation on microbiology, microbes and soil; and, recently retired Researcher Dr. Jackie Richter-Menge shared her climate change and sea ice work.
“Educational outreach activities are important for scientists and engineers to share forward their curiosity for science and technology,” said Zabilansky.