Excitement filled the classrooms of Highland Elementary School on April 4 as a team of engineers from IBM paid a special visit to celebrate National Engineers Week. Their mission? To show students in Grades 4 and 5 just how fun and impactful engineering can be.

Through engaging presentations, the IBM team introduced students to the world of engineering, highlighting how engineers use creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration to solve real-world problems and improve lives. From bridges to computers, students got a glimpse into the many ways engineers shape the world around them.

Following the presentations, students eagerly took on a hands-on STEM challenge designed to put their problem-solving skills to the test. Working in small groups, the young Huskies were tasked with designing and building devices that could launch a rubber duck toward a target using only basic materials like straws, rubber bands, and tape.

As the Huskies built, tested, and adjusted their creations, there was much laughter, many shouts of encouragement, and the occasional "splat" of a duck falling short of the target—all part of the learning process. Along the way, students discovered the power of teamwork, trial and error, and the science behind stored energy.

“The students’ creativity and enthusiasm were incredible,” said visiting IBM engineer Tanya Buchanan. “It was inspiring to see how quickly they took on the challenge, supported one another, and celebrated every little success. These are the kinds of moments that spark a lifelong interest in STEM.”

The activity was a memorable experience for all involved and a shining example of the power of community partnerships in education. Highland Elementary School extends its heartfelt thanks to Buchanan and the rest of the IBM team—Jeannette Bende, Joanne Crimi, Jens Daci, Sofia Fonseca-Munoz, Cheikhou Ndiaye, Kristen Read, John Shebey, and Laurie Ward—for generously donating their time and talents to inspire the next generation of engineers.