We were excited to welcome three Juniors from Spirit Lake High School who spent their J Term exploring the fascinating worlds of civil engineering and architecture. Landon Johnson, Kyler Hagedorn, and Jackson Currell joined us to gain hands-on experience and insight into these dynamic fields.

These motivated students chose to dedicate their J Term to understanding the principles that shape our built environment. Through this immersive experience, they got a firsthand look at how civil engineers and architects work together to create the infrastructure and buildings that form the backbone of our communities.

During their time with us, Landon, Kyler, and Jackson engaged in a comprehensive range of activities that gave them real-world experience in the field. They:

 

Mastered the basics of Revit and AutoCAD, two industry-standard design software platforms

 

Created and updated floor plan layouts for actual projects

 

Participated in professional coordination meetings, giving them insight into how various stakeholders collaborate on construction projects

 

Conducted hands-on TOPO work, gaining practical experience with site surveying and terrain analysis

 

Measured sanitary manholes in the field, learning about essential infrastructure components

 

Engaged in interactive workshops that helped them understand the practical aspects of civil engineering and architecture

 

Learned about the complete design process, from initial concept to final implementation

 

Through these activities, they gained practical experience with:

 

The fundamental principles of structural design and how buildings stand strong against various forces of nature

 

The intricate relationship between form and function in architectural design

 

The critical role of civil engineering in developing sustainable infrastructure

 

Real-world problem-solving techniques used in both fields

This J Term experience provided these Spirit Lake High School students with valuable exposure to potential career paths in civil engineering and architecture. By engaging with these fields early and getting hands-on experience with professional tools and processes, they gained insights that will help inform their future educational and career decisions.

Programs like this J Term opportunity demonstrated the importance of bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. These students represented the next generation of potential engineers and architects who will help shape our communities’ future.

 

We were proud to support Landon, Kyler, and Jackson on their educational journey and look forward to seeing how this experience influences their future paths in civil engineering and architecture.