Make it REAL Engineering Kick Off with KC Stem Alliance and Burns & McDonnell
In partnership with KC STEM Alliance, Startland organized a “Make it REAL” workshop day for 150+ engineering students beginning their senior capstone projects. The workshop was hosted by Burns & McDonnell, and numerous professionals and companies from across the city participated and provided guidance for the students.
Over the course of two Idea Generation Sessions, Veronica Alvidrez, Malikah Fard-Allah, and Startland volunteer mentors led the students through design thinking exercises. These sessions also gave space for discussions about the value and impact of thoughtful design, and the importance of having multiple perspectives when sharing ideas.
Our thanks go to KC STEM Alliance and Burns & McDonnell for their partnership in hosting this event!
Key Takeaways
“It was truly inspiring to listen to a high school senior discussing the challenges he observes within our community, particularly the technological gap in low-income areas in Kansas City. This is a matter I’ve been actively addressing through my involvement with TechConnectKC, as we strive to narrow the digital divide right here in our local community under the auspices of the Kauffman Foundation. Engaging with these young individuals was a valuable experience, as it not only allowed me to explore real world issues alongside them, but also provided an opportunity for mutual learning” - Jeff Kimbrow, Cybersecurity Technology Consultant, Kauffman Foundation
“Nearly 200 students walked away from the Make it REAL Engineering Capstone Kickoff having met with over 15 engineers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs as they generated ideas for their capstone project. These industry connections are crucial in this early stage of their project as it shows students the variety of ways in which they can put their engineering interest to use not only for their projects this year, but for their passions and future careers.” - Allison Nelson, STEM Outreach Consultant, KC Stem Alliance
