Young engineers in-the-making visit University of Illinois Engineering Open House

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) — Students got to see what it's like being an engineer during the annual Engineering Open House at the University of Illinois.

Engineer in the Classroom held a competition where fifth graders across central Illinois went head-to-head in a competition where they had to make the perfect slice of toast.

“This year's theme, the students had to come up with a contraption to complete was to make a piece of toast. Generally, it’s something that’s fairly simple but the goal or the challenge is to make it complex to complete that simple task,” said President of Engineer in the Classroom, Andrew Jordan.

Students worked in groups to create their machines. Jordan says it's especially important they expose students to STEAM opportunities at this age.

“We’re able to introduce younger students, fifth grade students to engineering at a very early level whereas some other programs that have a very similar goal are much later in the education track,” said Jordan.

Students had fun while learning what being an engineer is all about. Fifth grader Rosalind Martin says creating the machine was difficult, but she had fun.

“Even if you think you can’t do it that’s wrong because you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it. I promise it’s like really fun and you don’t even realize that you’re scared,” stated Martin.

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