This summer, ARISE helped a group of about 30 high school students from Kansas City, Kansas, take a field trip and learn about a variety of career paths in water infrastructure.
Dr. Mary Patterson is one of the teachers for the five-week long Health Science Academy. This intensive summer camp engages students in interactive learning opportunities and opens their eyes to careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
“For MONTHS I tried to get a hold of anyone that could get us a tour of Nearman Water Treatment plant here in KCK,” said Dr. Patterson. A breakthrough came at the ARISE Annual Symposium in April when she met Tonya Bronleewe, Director of the WSU Environmental Finance Center. Tonya knew who to contact to set up the tour—and that connection made all the difference.
Dr. Patterson also helped arrange for three ARISE researchers to share career advice with the students. On July 19, Drs. Amin Enderami, Jude Kastens, and Joel Mendez met in-person with the students at the KU Medical Center, sharing advice about careers in engineering, math, and urban planning.
