H
igh school students can explore careers in transportation and infrastructure by attending
a free National Summer Transportation Institute at Ferris State University.
Ferris’ Institute of Construction Education and Training received a $35,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration to conduct the weeklong camp, scheduled Aug. 5 through Aug. 11, said program director Tom Larabel, an assistant professor in Ferris’ College of Engineering Technology. The program is targeted to women and minorities, but anyone is welcome to attend, he said.
“There are so few women and minorities in construction at the administrative and management level,” Larabel said. “The idea is to expose students to the many careers in the transportation industry. It’s an outreach effort.”
During the camp, students will experience highway design careers and meet with civil engineers, create concrete and asphalt materials used for transportation construction projects, experience highway construction careers and tour construction projects, and take a ferry to South Manitou Island for exposure to marine transportation. Students also will travel to Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City to operate flight simulators and experience aviation career opportunities.
Recreational activities and social functions with other students selected for the NSTI also are planned.
The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, June 1. A scholarship selection committee will review applications; confirmation letters will follow for students who have been admitted.