CES highlights STEM mission

By Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson, 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs / Published May 02, 2017

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Paideia High School students operate a robot during a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math tour hosted by the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron May 1, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The students were exposed to numerous forms of engineering including civil, geotechnical, structural, environmental and mechanical. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

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Senior Airman Garrett Olson, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal journeyman, uses a mass spectrometer to identify and quantify molecules in simple mixtures such as baking soda, acetone and gasoline during a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math tour hosted by the 92nd CES May 1, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The students received numerous hands-on demonstrations including night vision goggles and robotics. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

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The 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron hosted 37 local high school students during a tour focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math May 1, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The students were exposed to numerous forms of engineering including civil, geotechnical, structural, environmental and mechanical. The students were also briefed on various forms of architecture and surveying and received numerous hands-on demonstrations at explosive ordinance disposal. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

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Lt. Col. Ross Gleason, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron commander, welcomes local high school students to the base at the beginning of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math tour May 1, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The students were exposed to numerous forms of engineering including civil, geotechnical, structural, environmental and mechanical. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

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Paideia High School students receive a hands-on demonstration of the equipment used by Explosive Ordinance Disposal during a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math tour hosted by the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron May 1, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. Paideia High School is a multi-district public school that provides challenging and unique educational opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

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Senior Airman Jacob Costello, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron engineering assistant, demonstrates using various pieces of surveying equipment during a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math tour May 1, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The students were exposed to numerous forms of engineering including civil, geotechnical, structural, environmental and mechanical. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

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Paideia High School students receive a hands-on demonstration of the various robots used by the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal during a tour May 1, 2017, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The tour focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and provided students the opportunity to visualize engineering and math used in careers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson)

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron hosted 37 local high school students during a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math tour May 1, here.

The students were exposed to numerous forms of engineering including civil, geotechnical, structural, environmental and mechanical. The students were also briefed on various forms of architecture and surveying.

“A lot of these students take numerous math classes in high school and don’t always see the connection,” said Peter Whittekiend, Paideia High School teacher. “Anytime we are able to get the students out of the classroom and give them the opportunity to see people using math to make a living and letting them see the opportunities math can provide, you can’t go wrong.”

Paideia High School is a multi-district public school that provides challenging and unique educational opportunities. The program helps students develop their intellectual skills and knowledge base in order for them to begin the journey to becoming well-educated citizens and lifelong learners.

“Talking to the engineers about their careers, their projects and daily duties has been very cool,” said Aaron Johns, Paideia High School student. “I’ve wanted to be a mechanical engineer for a long time, and this provides the opportunity for me to take a look at what they do day-to-day. This visit has allowed many of us to make connections with what we learn in school and see how it can be applied to our careers; it gives us ideas for the future.”

In addition to learning about various forms of engineering, the students were also given hands on demonstrations of explosive ordnance disposal. The students were encouraged to operate the robots, use night vision goggles and test the make-up of various substances using a mass spectrometer.

A local Air Force recruiter also attended the tour, providing students with information on how to enlist and the avenues available to them.