UC Merced gets Clovis students interested in science

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Riverview Elementary School students in Clovis kneeled on the ground in anticipation as they waited for a quad copter to take off. The second graders got some one-on-one education from students enrolled at UC Merced.

The visit was part of Engineers Week. The college students are studying mechanical engineering and visited the Clovis school with hopes of interesting them in science, math, technology and engineering. The kids loved the hand-on education.

"When I grow up I want to be a scientist or an archeologist," said Riverview Elementary student Roman Shoup.

After showing them what engineering looks like out in the field, the students headed inside the classroom to show them what it looks like in our everyday lives.

UC Merced says according to a report by the Brookings Institution, Fresno ranks 98 out of 100 for people who are employed in advanced industries. The students are hoping to boost Fresno's poor ranking, creating more scientists and science jobs here in the Central Valley.

The students learned different ways to measure -- from taking temperatures, using rulers and even measuring water.

"I want more students to be in engineering. There's not very many females in engineering, so it would be great to get more females, more diverse group in engineering," said UC Merced student Avery Smith. "So I just want to show them that engineering's cool, engineering's fun, math's fun. I know it seems a little difficult, but it's really fun in the end."

"I think it's cool that they're here because I like to learn a lot," said Riverview Elementary student Charlotte Knovlauch.

The UC Merced students talked to 140 second and fifth graders at Riverview Elementary School on Friday, hoping to groom future engineers for the Central Valley.