QC students interact with “Dream Team” of local professionals

QC ISD News

A group of about 130 future engineers, bankers, bakers and designers assembled at J.K. Hileman Elementary Oct. 11, to learn from and interact with a “Dream Team” of local professionals.

QC ISD teacher, Mandi Stringer, selected a group of individuals from the community whose careers utilize two or more of the subject areas that comprise the STEAM program.

STEAM is an educational approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics and encourages an attitude of lifelong learning through authentic experiences, inquiry, problem solving and collaboration.

Crystal Campbell, Branch Manager at State Bank in Atlanta talked to the students about the differences between checking and savings accounts and the importance of saving money.

Tiffany Coats, a former QC graduate and owner of Tiffany and Co. Cookies, demonstrated several ways she uses technology in decorating cookies before offering the students an opportunity to try out her equipment for themselves.

Tammy Head, Manager of Ray Harp Jewelers, explained to the students how diamonds develop deep in the earth by heat, pressure, and volcanic activity and shared some pictures of the most famous diamonds in the world.

Lisa Simpson, Owner and Designer of Simpson Signature Homes, demonstrated a program she uses to help design homes and draw up blueprints before sharing with the students some fun ideas that could be included in homes like a treehouse and an indoor trampoline.

Doug Teale, Sustainability Manager at Domtar Ashdown, came ready to wow the students with his drone flying skills, but was grounded because of the weather. He was still able to impress his audience with the drone he uses to survey the land, monitor when trees need cutting and map out clear paths to sites where his crews are cutting.

Dusty Wiley, QC graduate, school board member and Engineering Supervisor for the Texarkana District at AEP/SWEPCO spoke about his job as an electrical engineer and the requirements, characteristics, and subject areas students should focus on for this career. He brought “Tiny Town” which proved to be a crowd favorite and discussed some electrical safety, as well.

Students gained insight about several different career opportunities from our area while the presenters validated the practicality of what they are learning in school today.

Superintendent, Charlotte Williams summed up the day by saying, “The world is a more challenging and competitive place than ever before in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. Queen City ISD is dedicated to providing meaningful opportunities for the students to learn and develop life-long skills to prepare them for productive citizenship in a global economy dominated by the elements represented in the STEAM program. The community is such an asset to our school in that organizations from the area are always ready to step in and help Queen City schools provide hands-on practical experiences for our students. These organizations and their representatives add real life value to processes we teach every day.”