WTS-DC Transportation YOU Kick Off 2025 with Engaging STEM Programming for DC Students
By Neha Remanna, Brandon Buckner, Polly Hansen, Jessica Allen, & Melanie Flores, WTS-DC
The WTS DC Transportation (TYOU) Committee launched 2025 with energy, creativity, and a strong commitment to inspiring the next generation of transportation professionals. Through hands-on interactive learning opportunities and engaging discussions, students in Washington D.C. have explored engineering concepts, career paths, and real-world transportation systems.
Engineering Week at Dunbar High School
In February, TYOU partnered with American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) to bring an exciting Engineering Week event at Dunbar High School’s NAF Academy of Engineering.
During the 10th grade Principles of Engineering class, students learned about bridge designs in the DMV region, followed by an interactive engineering challenge. The classroom split into five teams, each led by a student ‘Project Manager,’ to build model bridges using toothpicks and marshmallows. Each material had a cost assigned, giving students insight into the importance of budget management and design efficiency.
Bridges were judged based on cost and strength, and after the initial test, teams got a chance to improve their designs - and by the second round, every team built a stronger bridge without raising costs!
Navigating Your Career Journey Session at Cardozo High School
In March, TYOU led an interactive session with students at Cardozo High School focused on career journeys, professional etiquette, and building transferable skills. Students discussed how to stay flexible and resilient in changing environments and learned about ‘guardrails’ - the official and unofficial rules of professional spaces. The session emphasized how to navigate professional environments while showing up authentically and was well received by both students and teachers.
Streetcar Field Trip with McKinley Tech High School
In March, TYOU partnered with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to host a field trip at the DC Streetcar Car Barn Training Center for students from McKinley Technology High School. The visit involved a deep dive into DC’s electric streetcar system - from historic roots to present-day operations. RATP DEV staff led a tour of the LEED Gold-certified facility, walking students through how streetcars are maintained, operated, and controlled. At the end of the field trip, students expressed interest in electrical engineering and enjoyed learning about how sustainable transit systems shape our communities.
Sustainable Transportation Presentation at goDCgo Transportation All Stars Program
In March, TYOU had the incredible opportunity to connect with students part of DDOT goDCdo Transportation All Stars program through a virtual presentation focused on sustainable transportation careers.
During the presentation, students learned about the diversity of the transportation industry with careers related to engineering, policy, planning, communications, and operations at various education and experience levels.
TYOU also shared valuable WTS scholarships and professional development opportunities, such as the WTS Capital Summit, designed for students to explore transportation careers.
