Engineering event inspires fourth and fifth graders at Sollars Elementary
In celebration of National Engineering Week, Sollars Elementary School hosted an insightful event for its fourth and fifth graders. The event aimed to showcase the various engineering careers at Misawa Air Force Base. It provided students with a unique opportunity to explore the world of engineering and its significance in everyday life.
The event kicked off with a quick introduction by 1st Lt. Sarah Rego, an engineer from the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron. She emphasized the importance of engineering in solving real-world problems and encouraged students to consider careers in this dynamic field. After the brief introductions, students viewed an engineering documentary and explored a series of live demonstrations showcasing the engineering equipment used on base.
The students were fascinated to learn about the different types of engineering, including civil, mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering, and how each discipline contributes to the overall mission of the Air Force.
“I loved how they (the engineers) showed us popular structures from different places in the world,” said Matai S., a fifth grade student in Margot Bishop’s class. “For example, they showed us a model of the Tokyo Tower and explained the construction of it using an app on their tablet.”
“It was really cool to be able to use the measuring tools that engineers used to find the distance of the room,” added Ellie P., a student in Lorye Truesdale’s fourth grade class.
Overall, the engineering event at Sollars Elementary School provided fourth and fifth grade students with a deeper understanding of the vital role engineers play in our society and inspired many to consider pursuing careers in this exciting field. The event also strengthened the connection between Sollars Elementary and Misawa Air Force Base, highlighting the importance of community partnerships in fostering education and career exploration. Members of the Sollars faculty and participating engineers have already started considering ways to reach the entire school community during the 2026 Engineering Week next year.
