MOST McDonnell Scholars Explore Engineering at the University of Memphis

On Saturday, November 22, nineteen of our MOST McDonnell Scholars gathered at the University of Memphis for a guided tour and hands-on STEM experience at the Herff College of Engineering. The day, organized by Assistant Dean Isaiah Surbrook, gave students the chance to explore engineering interactively.

The college visit opened with the scholars splitting into small groups to participate in STEM projects. Stations featured snap circuits, paper airplane launchers, flying protractors, ping pong ball launchers, and more. Each project encouraged the spirit of teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.

"One of the STEM projects I worked on was the snap circuit," said Harding Academy freshman Kennedi Smith. "My group created a mechanism that shot out a plane high and fast. We got to see which way we shot it out, and that determined its speed and airtime."

Each student did a great job of asking questions and completing the various projects.

After the STEM projects, all scholars participated in Engineering Jeopardy. This activity helped them discover just how many branches of engineering exist.

"I never realized how many different tracks there are," shared Silvanna Ordaz, a Briarcrest senior. "My brother is an engineer, and it made me appreciate and respect his career a lot more."

A student-led tour through the Herff College of Engineering building gave our Scholars a look into what engineering looks like in a college setting. They visited labs, walked through the woodworking shop where college students build go-karts from scratch, and saw 3D printers in action.

"My favorite part of the tour was seeing the lab where 3D things are made," said Harding Academy freshman Danyale Hardaway. "It was cool to see how different items or objects can be created just from a machine."

The tour gave Scholars a sense of the creativity and hands-on problem-solving that engineering students get to experience every day.

"It was fun seeing sides you don't really think about when thinking of engineering," said Briarcrest sophomore Kendyll Duckett. "I am interested in Civil Engineering."

Thank you to the University of Memphis and the Herff College of Engineering for welcoming our students and helping them discover just how exciting engineering can be.