Emerson Olander, Josiah Quincy Elementary School
To kick off the new year, Emerson Olander, an engineer from @Stantec, went back to the classroom—visiting three Kindergarten classes at the Josiah Quincy School in Chinatown as part of Boston Partners in Education’s Pathfinder program.
Emerson’s own journey into engineering started in Kindergarten when he first fell in love with science and math. Now, he’s helping build the world around us. He shared how engineering isn’t just about trains and computers; it’s about the complex systems that make the world work.
The students got a “behind-the-scenes” look at projects they might recognize in their own backyard: the Zakim Bridge, the roadways at Logan Airport, the proposed revitalization of White Stadium, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The students asked questions about the cranes in the Seaport, the athletic fields at Northeastern University, and the Tobin School in Cambridge.
Emerson introduced the concept of Biological Engineering—showing these young learners how he uses natural “green infrastructure” to solve big problems like storm water management.
Whether it’s a skate park or a pump station in Somerville, it all starts with that early spark of curiosity. Thank you to the Josiah Quincy School letting us inspire the next generation of problem solvers!
BPIE Pathfinders share insights on their career choice during a one-time classroom visit in hopes of guiding students to figure out what they’d like to pursue after high school. This unique opportunity is available to all grade levels with an adjusted focus for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. To become a Pathfinder, apply here: https://bostonpartners.org/volunteers/pathfinders-speaker-application/
