On April 24, professionals from IBM visited Highland Elementary School (HES) to lead a World Cup-themed engineering challenge for students in Grades 4 and 5.

During the visit, students took on the role of engineers, working collaboratively in teams to design and build goal-blocking structures inspired by soccer goalies. Using a limited set of materials—including straws, index cards, paper clips, and tape—students planned, tested, and refined their designs, gaining firsthand experience with the engineering design process.

The activity emphasized key skills such as creativity, teamwork, and adaptability, encouraging students to problem-solve and make improvements when initial designs did not perform as expected. Through this hands-on experience, students learned that engineering extends beyond construction, focusing on innovation, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.

The District extends its appreciation to IBM for partnering with HES and providing students with an engaging opportunity to explore STEM concepts and develop an interest in future careers in engineering and technology.