Building a better burger
SWE students teach fourth graders about engineeringBy GARRETT NEESE, DMG Writer
Article Photos
HOUGHTON - A career of building skyscrapers could start with a simple question: Did they hold the tomatoes?
Michigan Technological University's Society of Women Engineers brought their Big Mac program to a class of Houghton Elementary School fourth-graders Thursday.
In the program, students learn engineering principles by constructing Big Macs out of cloth buns, patties, pickles, cheese and tomatoes. Along with the food came the requisite supplies, including McDonald's bags, burger and fry containers, and of course, the spatula and grill. The cloth food was courtesy of a former SWE member, who made them with her mother over Christmas break several years ago.
The program was created about 15 years ago as a way to teach students about engineering, and to inspire young girls to join the field, said SWE member Amy Palmgren.
"A lot of times they don't know what engineering is," she said. "Engineers do a lot more than just build cars. Especially for girls, it's important to get them interested early, because a lot of times girls don't like math and science as much as they get older."
Beforehand, students watched a video about engineering, including tips on how to make a solar oven.
"I think in fourth or fifth grade, we made a solar oven," Palmgren told a group of girls surrounding her after the class. "It was a fun project."
The students were divided up into three groups, each of which had to fill a different order.
After each session, the SWE students checked the bags against the orders.
"They're missing a whole burger!" said Abby Kneeland. "You gave them extra fries, though."
The groups started out rough; they got better. In the second round, Team 2 resolved to double-check their orders. They posted the slowest time, but also the first 100 percent mark.
"If we saw something wrong, we said 'that's wrong, do it over,'" said Maya Perlinger.
In the next round the other teams learned from Team 2's example, getting flawless or nearly flawless orders. Team 2's quality-control escalated into over-management.
That can be a common ailment in the engineering world, Palmgren told the class.
"I think what Team 2 had was too many project managers and not enough people doing things," she said.
Several of the students now want to become engineers.
"I think we learned that we can work together and make something," said Brooke Bastian.
Ashley Hauswirth also enjoyed the teamwork.
"I liked putting burgers together, and doing different jobs, and having fun," she said.
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com.
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UPNORTH1
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11-14-08 3:22 PM
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I know, i've been crammin for this test...haha...
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BobbyH
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11-14-08 12:35 PM
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In the current economy, it's important to know how to make a Mickey D's burger.
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