HLR Inspires Future Engineers: U-46 Students Discover the World of Civil Engineering

HLR • October 12, 2023

Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) took an enthusiastic role in the School District U-46 Explore event at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on October 4-5, aiming to ignite the passion of the upcoming generation in the fields of engineering, science, and surveying.


Explore is the District's annual curriculum and career exposition, organized in collaboration with the Alignment Collaborative for Education, which offers over 2,500 eighth-graders a distinctive opportunity to delve into various career paths and technical disciplines. Alignment is a local non-profit organization that unites community resources and initiatives to bolster District U-46's educational priorities.


The event commenced with a Parent Showcase on Wednesday, October 4, followed by the student event on Thursday, October 5. Before the Explore event, students utilized SchooLinks, a digital college and career planning system, to discover which career clusters resonated with their current interests and aptitudes. Armed with insights from SchooLinks, students collaborated with school counselors to select the career categories they wished to explore further during the event.


HLR featured prominently in the Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades pathway. Among the 40+ local businesses, industries, governmental organizations, and nonprofits participating, each was encouraged to create an interactive, engaging, and informative exhibit lasting three to four minutes for students to visit, providing an insight into the professions and careers offered by each organization.


HLR's exhibit showcased an augmented reality sandbox – a 3D, interactive, dynamic educational tool designed to aid students in grasping concepts related to mapping, topography, and watersheds. Manipulating the sand inside the box would instantly update a color-coded topography map onto the sand, while even simulating a rain event to illustrate the natural flow of water based on the sand's elevations.


The HLR team had a fantastic time engaging with students, parents, and U-46 staff. Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. eagerly anticipates its ongoing support for the Explore event and the opportunity to kindle the ambitions of the next generation of engineers, scientists, and surveyors.

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