Humphreys West students race into engineering during Engineers Week
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea – Humphreys West Elementary School celebrated Engineers Week on Tuesday, Feb. 25, with an engaging, hands-on STEM experience that brought the science of motion and forces to life for students. Guided by volunteers from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), students participated in an exciting Balloon Rocket Race, an interactive activity designed to help them explore how force, air pressure, and motion work together.
During the activity, students inflated balloons, attached them to strings stretched across the classroom, and released them to watch their “rockets” race forward. With each launch, students observed how the escaping air created thrust, how balloon size and shape influenced distance and speed, and how engineers test and adjust variables to improve outcomes. Laughter, cheering, and scientific curiosity filled the rooms as students compared results and made predictions about what would happen next.
Engineers Week also sparked rich conversations, especially as students eagerly asked questions about what engineers do and how engineering impacts everyday life. Volunteers highlighted several engineering fields—such as civil, mechanical, electrical, computer, chemical, aerospace, and environmental engineering—helping students connect the activity to real engineering career pathways.
"Engineers Week is a reminder that building the future starts in today's classrooms,” said Col. Jeremiah J. Willis, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Far East District Commander. “Our partnership with DoWEA connects students with real engineers, real problems, and real solutions so that they can see how curiosity becomes capability. As we deliver better, faster, and stronger for U.S. Forces Korea, we're equally committed to developing the next generation of engineers who will build on the foundations we've laid today for decades to come."
The balloon rocket activity not only energized students but also encouraged them to think critically, test ideas, and develop a deeper understanding of how engineers solve problems. Many students left the event inspired—seeing engineering not just as science, but as creativity, teamwork, and possibility.
“It's one thing for students to read about engineering in a textbook, but it's another for them to meet an engineer and see the passion in their eyes,” said Capt. Michael Orr, USACE Exercise and Plans Officer. “This outreach is impactful because it makes engineering a tangible and attainable career path for young students. We are not just sharing what we do, we are sharing who they could become.”
Humphreys West Elementary School extends heartfelt appreciation to the USACE volunteers whose time, enthusiasm, and expertise made Engineers Week a memorable and meaningful experience for all.
