UBC Civil Engineering recently participated in a Geering Up event aimed at engaging Grade 8 to 11 students in STEM through hands-on, interdisciplinary activities. Held on UBC campus, the day-long event brought together 30 students from across the Lower Mainland—including Surrey, Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Langley—for an inspiring introduction to engineering, synthetic biology, and kinesiology.
As part of the Civil Engineering led by Dr. Mona Amer, a postdoctoral fellow at UBC Civil Engineering, students explored how wind energy systems interact with the environment—especially in seismic-prone regions. The session began with an overview of wind energy, structural dynamics, and structural health monitoring to set the stage for a practical design challenge.
Participants then put their learning to the test in a 25-minute wind turbine design activity, using everyday materials like cardboard, wood, plastic cups, and tape to create their own structures. The hands-on nature of the challenge made it a highlight of the day. One participant shared, “Building activities were super fun and I learned new things.”
The workshop continued with digital simulations of structural responses to different vibration scenarios. Using pre-installed software on laptops, students were able to visualize how engineering structures behave under dynamic loads. The final and most anticipated activity involved testing their turbine designs on mini shake tables to simulate earthquake conditions—an exciting demonstration of real-world engineering principles. According to organizers, several participants listed the shake table tests as their favorite part of the day.
This event was part of Geering Up’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive and accessible STEM outreach programs. With mentors from diverse disciplines and career levels, students had the chance to see how engineering connects to a wide range of fields—and how their ideas could one day make a difference.