This year was the first time Ivy Zhang, E.I.T., volunteered with Operation SMART. Also with Suncor, the civil engineering E.I.T. wanted to share her love for engineering with young students. She taught the girls about buildings, bridges, and geometry while they created structures with straws, tape, and the construction toy system K’NEX. She inspired the students — and they inspired her. “Sometimes the girls came up with designs that were a bit weird — or might not work — but they tried them anyways. I learned from them to always keep my mind open to different ways of solving problems and to be enthusiastic about my work,” she says. Ms. Zhang grew up in a family of engineers. Both her par- ents and an uncle were early role models in the profession. They showed her that engineering is a fulfilling career. So, too, did her professors and the supervisors that she worked under during her summer student terms. “They were all people who were passionate about engineering and encouraged me to always strive to be the best I could be,” she says. By volunteering with Operation SMART, Ms. Zhang hopes to do the same for its participants. “My hope is that they take
into designing and manufacturing the seemingly simple tool. “I was hooked.” That’s the feeling she hopes Operation SMART participants will get. It’s another reason why interactive activities are so important. “Seeing how something works and doesn’t work allows them to grasp concepts easier, rather than just talking about things,” Ms. D’Orsay says. “We encourage them to speak their minds and talk about what they’re learning. Giving them an opportunity to take the lead on projects builds their confidence.” Of course, there are always some girls who are resistant to the program — at first, anyway. One such participant let it be known how boring she thought the classes would be. Recalls Ms. D’Orsay: “After we started doing some of the activities, we couldn’t get her to stop and go home. The girls were building roller coasters using marbles — the more tricks and loops they had, the more points they got. She wanted to improve her design. Just seeing that passion develop is really rewarding.” To see the world of engineering through fresh eyes is also gratifying, she says. “It takes you back to a simpler place. I always leave with a big smile on my face.”
WINTER 2015 PEG | 15
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