On March 8, CTS welcomed 60 eighth-grade students to the University of Minnesota campus, where they explored transportation topics and learned about STEM-related education at the U.
The visit was part of an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) course the students are taking at Lake Middle School in Woodbury. The AVID organization is dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students, especially those traditionally underrepresented in higher education, for college and other postsecondary opportunities. The middle-school course is specifically designed to prepare students for taking courses in high school that will put them on a college-bound path.
As part of their visit, the eighth-graders heard from a panel of current U of M students about STEM-related programs and opportunities at the U. They also learned about pedestrian safety and reflectivity. In addition, researcher Chen-Fu Liao gave students an introduction to traffic engineering, including a hands-on experience managing traffic flow using the online game Gridlock Buster.
