Kansas City students learn about STEM opportunities at K-State at Technology Development Institute event
Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024
K-State's Technology Development Institute hosted students from Operation Breakthrough and the MindDrive program for an event showcasing engineering careers, various labs and studios, and other STEM opportunities at K-State. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's Technology Development Institute recently welcomed high school students from the Kansas City area to campus to showcase engineering careers and opportunities at K-State for STEM students.
The Technology Development Institute, or TDI, event featured interactive tours of the institute's manufacturing facility, the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering and the College of Architecture, Planning & Design. These tours showcased potential career pathways and demonstrated how K-State can help students continue their education in their chosen career paths.
The students came to campus through the MindDrive program and Operation Breakthrough. MindDrive is a project-based experiential learning program that serves students from around the Kansas City Metro area and provides hands-on opportunities to learn and grow. Operation Breakthrough is a Kansas City nonprofit organization that aims to provide a safe, loving and educational environment for children in poverty and empower their families through advocacy, emergency aid and education.
Both programs work together to provide STEM opportunities to students who otherwise may not learn about opportunities in these career fields.
"TDI is committed to developing the next generation of skilled engineering workforce capable of supporting current and future advanced manufacturing talent needs," said Clint Ernst, program development director for TDI. "Programs such as Operation Breakthrough and MindDrive are critically important to help students realize the opportunities that are available to them, even if they have never been exposed to them."
TDI staff hosted the daylong event, which started with presentations about the different types of engineering careers available to students as well as the product design and prototype engineering that happens daily at the institute. Students toured the 3D printing studio and the prototyping shop after the presentation, and they participated in hands-on demonstrations using the shop equipment and printers, including producing their own magnetic-mounted phone and pen holders.
Students also got to see the classroom experience and tour shops and studios in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering and the College of Architecture, Planning & Design. These tours showcased the applied learning programs at K-State that help students find their career paths.
This project was completed in support of the K-State 105 initiative, Kansas State University's answer to the call for comprehensive economic growth and advancement solutions for Kansas.
The K-State Technology Development Institute in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration University Center and received a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Research and Entrepreneurship Federal Match Fund. TDI provides a broad range of engineering and business development services to both private industry and university researchers to advance the commercial readiness of new products or technologies.
