The Engineering and Public Works Roadshow came to Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, MA last month, providing students with an inspiring glimpse into how engineering and public works projects shape communities and improve lives. Hosted by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the event aimed to engage students and spark their interest in careers within these vital fields.
Doherty Memorial High School is Worcester’s largest high school and most sustainable municipal building. Nitsch provided site planning, civil engineering, traffic engineering, and land surveying services for the project, working with project architect LPA|A, landscape architect Studio 2112, and contractors Dimeo Construction Company and Fontaine Brothers. The school features an engineering vocational program, and is part of a “Living Lab” program in partnership with the City of Worcester, Fontaine Brothers, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and others to engage students who might not otherwise have exposure to the array of careers across the design industry.
The Engineering and Public Works Roadshow event, held on June 10th, featured a lineup of esteemed engineering leaders and public officials, including Principal John Staley; ACEC/MA President Dawn Connelly; ASCE Past-President Andy Herrmann; Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista; Worcester Public Schools Dr. Marie Morse; and Nitsch’s President & CEO Jennifer Johnson, PE, CFM, LEED AP and Vice President Matthew Brassard, PE, ENV SP.
Matthew Brassard, who served as one of the project leads, spoke about how civil engineers contribute to a project’s success. He answered the question “What do civil engineers do?” by giving the students examples from their own high school. Jennifer Johnson then shared that engaging people from all different backgrounds is critical to the future of this industry, noting, “The more smart, creative, ambitious people entering engineering that we have, and the more diversity we have in our workforce, the better we will be able to serve our communities!”
View the full recording of the event here (Matt & Jenn start speaking at the 40:14 mark):
After the event, Jenn spoke with a reporter from Spectrum News 1, saying, “Engineering is a great career for all different kinds of people, whether you’re really curious and good at solving problems and putting them back together or you just want to serve the community you live in.”
Overall, the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow provided an invaluable opportunity for students to learn about the impact of engineering on their communities and the diverse career paths available within the field. The event underscored the importance of fostering the next generation of engineers and public works professionals to ensure the continued growth and development of our communities.
