The TAC Foundation recently brought the AASHTO STEM Outreach Solutions (SOS) program to Ottawa, welcoming 26 students and five of their teachers from three Ottawa schools.
This hands-on educational program, developed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), introduces students to transportation engineering through engaging STEM activities. The goal? To inspire students to consider life-long careers in transportation engineering.
On November 6, students explored magnetic levitation technology, a key component in high-speed train design and construction, such as that planned for the ALTO high-speed train project from Quebec City to Toronto. The students learned about the laws of physics, motion, and the principles of experimentation and the benefits of teamwork, then applied these lessons by designing, building, and testing model cars made from Styrofoam and magnetic tape on elevated tracks, using gravity as propulsion. Friendly competition and teamwork fueled innovation as the students modified designs to shave milliseconds off their race times.
Keith Foster, a champion of the STEM Outreach program in Canada, noted the session's impact. He stated, "It was rewarding to see that many of the students who attended the session are now considering careers in transportation engineering." Carleton University professor Karim Ismail was also on hand to offer career advice and guidance on university and college enrollment.
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) Experiential Learning and SST Coordinator Kelly Livingston observed how the day transformed the students' curiosity into enthusiasm, commenting, "This was a fantastic opportunity for our students. It filled the gap' between the classroom and the workplace, something that students do not often see." Kelly also indicated that she already has a list of classes/teachers (including those from Lisgar, Longfield, and Brookfield) who would now like to participate in future STEM sessions!
This educational event was made possible through the generous contributions of Englobe Corp Consulting and the Cement Association of Canada, as well as in-kind contributions from AASHTO, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, the OCDSB, Transport Canada, and TAC, all of which helped ensure its success.
As more STEM sessions are planned in 2026, the TAC Foundation invites you to support its Student Outreach program. Your contributions will help inspire and engage high school students to join the ever-changing field of transportation engineering building a brighter, more sustainable future for transportation in Canada. Contact foundation@tac-atc.ca for more information
For more information
401-1111 Prince of Wales Dr.
Ottawa Ontario
Canada K2C 3T2
www.tac-atc.ca/
