November 17, 2009 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is offering a free hands-on educational program for middle/high school students in science, math and social science classes. The Transportation and Civil Engineering (TRAC) program is made up of eight modules designed to help students understand the working world of transportation and interest them in transportation and civil engineering careers.
The TRAC program uses real world applications and educational activities that are aligned to the Michigan Education Standards. The program is available at no cost to schools. MDOT has been offering AASHTO's TRAC program to schools in Michigan since 2004. The program is fully funded by the Federal Highway Administration.
"TRAC brings engineering to life in the classroom to help students see engineering concepts in action. They also learn more about the rewards and challenges of a career in civil engineering," said MDOT Director Kirk T. Steudle. "The engineers who volunteer to mentor these students enjoy the interaction, and the teachers we have worked with enthusiastically support the program."
A popular feature of the program is a statewide design and bridge building contest for student teams in grades seven through 12. The annual competition provides students with an opportunity to design, build, present and load test a balsa wood bridge. Next spring, teams will compete in a statewide competition for prizes of $600 (first place); $375 (second place) and $225 (third place) in each category. Bridge building team applications are due on Nov. 30, 2009.
Next summer, as part of the program, MDOT will again offer 15 TRAC Pipeline summer internship positions throughout the state. Students will work with MDOT employees to learn about civil engineering and transportation-related careers and be paid $10 per hour. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a $2,500 scholarship to study civil engineering. The internships are 40 hours per week, for seven weeks. To be eligible to participate in the internship program, students must be 17 years old, a graduating high school senior, and have attended a class which used a TRAC program module. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2010.
For more information or to apply, visit the Michigan TRAC program Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdot-trac, or contact Jan Pohl, Michigan TRAC program manager, at 517-373-9571.
MDOT says: Remember - in Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!
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