Overview:
The Imagining the Future of Transportation Program (IFTP) was a two-week, project based engineering experience for rising 9th and 10th grade students.
The program introduced students to real-world transportation-focused research and facilitates students’ understanding and application of STEM subjects.
- Students review current transportation systems and proposed expansion plans
- Students review plans in other cities both domestic and foreign
- Teams, through presentations and supporting workshops, are introduced to a variety of transportation challenges facing engineers, including, but not limited to:
- aging infrastructure
- traffic management
- bike and pedestrian safety
- public transportation
- Teams propose one aspect of our local transportation system they seek to improve and/or modify and present their plan at the final presentation at the close of the program
- Throughout the experience, participants will engage in a variety of engineering workshops to further enhance their understanding of engineering and the design process
The program is held on the campus of Northeastern University located at 360 Huntington Avenue in Boston, MA 02115.
Core Principles:
- Encourage education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Encourage and motivate youth to pursue STEM careers
- Foster teamwork, leadership, and citizenship
Goals:
- To establish a summer engineering experience, utilizing transportation as the guiding theme for project based engineering and design experiences
- To introduce 9-10th grade students to college life and facilitate interaction with university students, staff, and faculty
- To educate and support 9-10th grade students in the areas of STEM through engagement in practical applications and real-world experiences
- To inspire 9-10th grade students to pursue careers in STEM fields
- To train and engage university students in the design and delivery of this program to deepen their content knowledge and refine their presentation skills
- To provide mentoring and support for participants and their families beyond the summer experience and ensure equitable access to programs and opportunities
Strategies:
- Leverage the university community to provide opportunities for participants to interact with engineers, scientists, researchers, other professionals, and current university students
- Teach “hands-on, minds-on” STEM activities on relevant and applicable topics, with dynamic input and feedback from students to adapt and expand investigations
- Incorporate activities that nurture and develop 21st century skills, including written and oral communication, teamwork, problem solving, systems thinking, and more
- Integrate field excursions to expose students to real-world STEM application*
2017 Final Projects
- Two-Way
- Daysia, Dhanin, Diego, Max, Sarah, Yolisbel
- Transportation Sensation
- Alessandro, Alexia, Daniela, Faraz, Samuel, Sharani
- Fenway Transportation Team
- Hayden, Jonathan F., Julianna, Kareem, Reethika, Taha
- Thomas and Friends
- Ally, Dominique, Horace, Johnathan D., Kyle
- Fenwayz
- Ali, Aydan, David, Luna, Maya, Rania
2016 Final Projects
- Transportation Nation
- Varun, Jamar, Lindsay, Cynthia
- Astra Inc.
- Buzz, Samantha, Maggue, Alex, George
- Transport 5
- Will, Henenda, Rei, Hannah, Vanessa
- Windows 11
- Frankie, Onn Ye, Obeaney, Victor, Mira
- Civil Roads Inc.
- Emily, Omar, Dalila, Laurent
