The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) facilitated its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Outreach Solutions program with a statewide training in Florida aimed at equipping K-12 teachers with valuable STEM resources.
The program seeks to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators, and the efforts of DRMP engineers have been instrumental in bringing this program to fruition.
Two of the firm’s leaders, Pavan Paiavula, PE, and Ryan Pellarin, PE, CCM, are members of the highly selective Florida Engineering Leadership Institute (FELI) Class of 2024, that is harnessing the program to bring resources to teachers statewide. Over the years, several DRMP staff members have successfully completed the 10-month FELI program.
FELI Class of 2024
Paiavula, Tampa Roadway Group Leader and Project Manager, and Pellarin, Florida CEI Leader and Senior Project Engineer, assisted in helping their FELI class secure major funding for the STEM program through organized events and sponsorships. All the fundraising activities were collectively organized by every member of the FELI 2024 class. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) also made a significant investment in the program, which received a written endorsement from FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue, PE.
The STEM Outreach Solutions program – an education arm of AASHTO – is championed by Alison Stettner, AICP, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) Director of Transportation Development and member of the FELI Class of 2024. Stettner, Paiavula, and some of their FELI classmates, Janey Walls, PE, RSP1, Abhijeet Desai, PE, and Juan Ortega-Rosales, PE, attended training on June 13 and June 14 at Florida’s Turnpike headquarters in Orlando, which drew participation from teachers across the state, including South Florida, Tampa, Pensacola, Jacksonville, and Central Florida.
FELI Class 2024 members (from left to right: Pavan Paiavula, PE, Alison Stettner, AICP, Janey Walls, PE, RSP1, Abhijeet Desai, PE, and Juan Ortega-Rosales, PE ) attend the STEM Outreach Solutions training
“This initiative not only provides immediate educational resources but also ensures a lasting impact,” Paiavula said. "For at least three years, our project will extend to distribute STEM training and supplies to all schools statewide that are interested in participating. This long-term vision guarantees that the benefits of the program will reach a wide audience to inspire students to consider careers in engineering.”
The engineering profession is experiencing a rapid increase in retirements, leading to a significant shortage of engineers.
“This program helps us tell the story about our workforce needs,” Stettner said, noting that 18 other states have bought into the program. “People need to know careers in transportation and engineering are high-paying jobs.”
DRMP’s Commitment to Community and Education
STEM education is increasingly recognized as essential in preparing students for future careers. The STEM Outreach Solutions program addresses this need by integrating real-world engineering challenges into the classroom.
The program’s approach includes a mix of individual and group activities and fosters both independent problem-solving skills and teamwork. Each module introduces students to fundamental engineering concepts, demonstrating the application of math, science, and technology in solving real-world problems. After participants complete the training program, teachers are equipped with STEM boxes containing supplies and software necessary for hands-on activities.
Program participants break into groups to simulate bridge design and modeling
The two-day training session provided teachers with immersive hands-on training in eight educational advanced learning modules designed for middle and high school students. The modules, which include bridge design; environmental engineering; highway safety; magnetic levitation; motion; design and construction; traffic technology; and connected and automated vehicle (CAV), provide students with practical, firsthand experiences that illustrate the relevance of STEM subjects in everyday life and future careers.
STEM Outreach Solutions Program Trainer Cindy Steven-Pheal assists class participants as they design and model a truss bridge
The first half of the two-day session instructed teachers on how to use the bridge building software and model a truss bridge. Participants then broke into groups and designed and modeled a bridge. Paiavula participated in the activity with a few of his FELI classmates.
"Being a part of the STEM Outreach Solutions program is incredibly rewarding,” Paiavula said. “This program is a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community and inspire students to explore a career in engineering. I’m excited to be a part of bringing this program to life and witnessing its success.”
A bridge design sketch created by a group of training participants
The RIDES (Roadways Into Developing Elementary Students) module is geared toward Pre-K-8 students. It focuses on Transportation and Energy; Roadway Geometry; Humans and Nature; and Designing Ways. This module offers students engaging activities that connect transportation with math and science concepts, so students develop skills, such as classification, sequencing, measuring, graphing, predicting, inferring, and experimenting.
The success of the STEM Outreach Solutions program is thanks to collaborative efforts of FELI members and the support of organizations, such as DRMP and FDOT. By engaging with educators and providing them with the necessary tools and training, the program aims to create a ripple effect that will inspire students across Florida and the nation to pursue careers in engineering. When we invest in our employees at DRMP, we invest in our communities and the future of engineering.
