Ballston Spa Students Explore Science & Engineering with RPI Ambassadors

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Middle School recently welcomed the Rensselaer Engineering Ambassadors into the school to share research topics that they have studied at RPI and to inspire the students about the role of engineering and technology in society. Over 600 Middle School students participated in the science and engineering program during their science or technology classes. The college aged ambassadors taught the younger students an engineering lesson and provided a demonstration or a hands-on design activity. 

The Rensselaer Engineering Ambassadors are a group of RPI engineering students devoted to inspiring younger students with what they are doing in their chosen major, the newest technological breakthroughs in their field, and the obstacles yet to be overcome. This year’s topics that were presented to the different classes included Humanitarian Logistics, Designing an Athlete, Getting Into Orbit, Drag Force, and Safe Roller Coasters.

Ballston Spa Middle School invites the Rensselaer Engineering Ambassadors to visit each year to allow students to identify careers they can pursue as well as for them to learn what they will need to do over the next several years to achieve their goals. The Ambassadors provide invaluable perspectives and serve as great role models for the students.

The Ambassadors offer these hands-on demonstrations and short presentations at no cost to school districts due to the generosity of Rensselaer Schools of Engineering and Science and corporate sponsors such as United Technology Corporation, Rise High, Stewart’s Holiday Match Fund and The Bender Family Foundation. For additional information, please visit the RPI Engineering Ambassadors program website at engineeringambassadors.union.rpi.edu.