Issue 4 - January 2023

Igniting A Spark in Engineering

Consider KEEN at Your Next Career Fair

by Kyle McMahon
KEEN State Coordinator

I hope everyone had a great and relaxing winter break! The second half of the school year is significant for students. Younger students are deciding what classes they will take next year, and older students are trying to figure out what college they want to attend and what career they want to pursue after graduation. The Kentucky Engineering Exposure Network (KEEN) can be a valuable tool to help students figure out what job they want to pursue.

While KEEN is mainly known for its K-12 engineering presentations and activities for individual classrooms and grades, that is only half the story. KEEN also spreads engineering information by attending and speaking at college/career fairs at middle and high schools. At careers fairs, KYTC employees and professional volunteers answer questions, provide information, display construction materials, and distribute giveaways to the students. The career fair presentations can be beneficial for younger students to let them know that they need to take as many STEM classes as possible as they get older. For older students thinking about life after high school, KEEN provides information and applications for the KYTC scholarships and programs. KEEN wants the students to hear about possible career opportunities that are available to them.

The second half of the school year is essential for students and the schools. KEEN can be a valuable tool to help students figure out what STEM classes to take or what career they want to pursue. If this career fair presentation sounds like something your students would enjoy, please contact us. KEEN would be happy to come out to your school.

Snowfighter Drew

Hear from one of our snowfighters, Drew Fulmer in KY District 6, as he describes what crew members like him face during snow and ice events and how you can help keep him and yourself safe during this snow and ice season.

The SPARKS newsletter is emailed periodically to subscribers with information about careers, STEM presentations, events and more. Please sign up below:

Erin Van Zee inspecting bridges after the Eastern Kentucky flood.

Inspecting Bridges

Dozens of inspectors from across the state deployed quickly to Eastern Kentucky to assess the safety of bridges impacted by the devastating flooding. Long hours, dangerous conditions, and days away from their families have not slowed progress ensuring bridges are safe for responders and residents.

Click the button below to hear from one of our bridge engineers who helped assess more than 1,000 bridges after the flood.

Drones

KYTC continually find new applications in state government to use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or known as "drones." Drones are used for inspections, mapping, and incident management. They are proving to be a safe and efficient way of collecting data. Several UAS teams use drones to survey areas, inspect hard to reach areas, even measure salt reserves for our snow and ice season. 

USING DRONES AT BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE Brent Spence Bridge was heavily damaged when two commercial motor vehicles crashed and burned in November 2020. Drones were brought in to aid inspection efforts before inspectors could access the bridge due to the large amounts of debris. KYTC’s primary drone pilots are James Edmunds, Chief Bridge Inspector, and Katherine Caldwell, Asset Manager. KYTC was joined by teams from Palmer Engineering , Michael Baker International and Burgess & Niple. The drones enabled inspectors to safely capture footage and images of damage. They provide up-close imaging as well as full views of the bridge and its truss alignment. Their nimble nature provides a quick view of areas that are difficult to access. Drones’ fast reconnaissance allows inspectors to focus their efforts on critical areas.

Eric Lauer is a scholarship recipient. 

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS

A reminder that applications for the Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Civil Engineering Technology Scholarships are due February 1. We will accept applications as long as they are post-marked by February 1. Selectees may receive up to $59,000 (for four-year programs) or $12,000 (for two-year programs) to help towards college expenses, full-time work during the summer, and a full-time job upon graduation. For more information and to obtain an application, please click the button below to visit our website or email Marianne.Sullivan@ky.gov.

Deadline to apply is February 1, 2023.

Other KEEN News:

There are many KEEN presentations for hands-on activities. One of them is the Aluminum Boat Classroom Activity. The students build boats out of aluminum foil and adds coins to see if they float. They learn about the principles of buoyancy during this exercise. 

Learn more about the KEEN program on our website. 

KYTC hopes you have a wonderful start to 2023!

KYTC'S Mission

To provide a safe, efficient, environmentally sound and fiscally responsible transportation system that delivers economic opportunity and enhances the quality of life in Kentucky.