Intel encourages the engineers of the future at Hillsboro school

HILLSBORO, Ore. — Little hands work with materials that may seem unrelated. But with a task on their minds, their brains get to work.

Fourth-graders at Ladd Acres Elementary got a special treat as part of their STEM program and National Engineer Week: Intel engineers volunteered to show students what being an engineer is all about.

“It was outstanding to see them on the floor with their supplies and talking to each other to see the best way to do this,” Williams, an Intel engineer, said.

Their task was to build a working catapult.

For Williams, Friday was familiar.

“It does make me think about when I was younger. I fell in love with engineering in fourth-grade with hands-on activities like this,” she said.

Years later she's now living out that dream, and it's one she hopes some of these students will too.

“It’s always an inspiration to see the next generation of minds working through a problem,” Williams said.

While Friday was filled with fun, it also showed students what engineering is all about: team work, problem solving and creating.

Hillsboro School District Superintendent Mike Scott says his hope is this may help guide a future generation.

“I think our hope for this is that our students would see themselves in these jobs in the future and see that there is opportunity there if they are willing to work hard,” he said.

Hear how this can shape these young kids' lives: