Providence Day sixth graders learned about engineering from an industry-academic and expert.
Nicole Braxtan, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNC Charlotte, also showed students how she studied the World Trade Center after 9/11 and the reasons why the Twin Towers collapsed.
“Sometimes I teach, sometimes I break stuff, and sometimes I burn stuff,” Dr. Braxtan, mom to a sixth-grader at Providence Day, told students.
Dr. Braxtan, who specializes in structural fire engineering, spoke to students in Wes Fryer’s Introduction to Engineering class earlier this month - in part to show them the excitement that comes from applying mathematical and engineering skills to solve real-world problems.
“[Her] enthusiasm for math and engineering serves as a vivid illustration that these fields are not only accessible but also immensely rewarding, regardless of one's background or family history,” Dr. Fryer says. “This message is crucial, emphasizing that a career in engineering is a viable and fulfilling path for every student.”
Her main field of expertise is understanding how fire impacts a structure, as well as whether concrete is able to maintain its strength while burning in a fire. She also works with steel and timber. She earned a doctorate degree by studying and researching the structural failures during the 9/11 attacks. She visited Ground Zero and worked in labs where pieces of these collapsed structures were being studied.
Dr. Braxtan concluded the plane's impact knocked off much of the steel’s fire-protectant materials. Once the fires started, the steel was no longer protected, making it hotter than usual, and it melted. She brought testing examples and showed videos of her various tests so the students could understand exactly why these or any buildings collapsed.
“I get to come up with creative solutions, like, ‘What are we going to do to figure this out?’ Let’s randomly build something and see what happens,’” Dr. Braxtan says. “We get to play around and build things and break things. Problem-solving and critical thinking play a huge part.”
Kaycie Pochick, a sixth-grader, says Dr. Braxtan made the field intriguing and fun.
“I learned that there are so many different types of engineering, and I think Dr. Braxton does one of the most interesting ones,” Kaycie says. “This could help me in the future because I think I want to be an engineer when I grow up.”
Dr. Fryer says hearing from Dr. Braxtan was invaluable for students because she brought a wealth of real-world experience from both her industry career and academic pursuits, helping “real-world insight bridge the gap between the theoretical aspects of our curriculum and the practical challenges engineers face in their daily work.”
He says her presence as a female engineer was also significant.
“It offered our young women—and men—an inspiring example of success in a field where equity and representation are critically important,” he says. “Her role as a model of what women can achieve in STEM careers cannot be overstated. It was a privilege to have her share her journey with our students, reinforcing the message that a career in engineering is accessible and rewarding for everyone, regardless of gender.”
Kaycie agrees.
“I enjoy seeing females that are hard workers and are very smart - just like Dr. Braxton,” Kaycie says.
Dr. Braxtan showed students Tesla’s discovery of wireless energy using a lightbulb and magnetic coil. She held the bulb over a magnetic field, and currents of electricity flowed to turn on the lightbulb. She also created music wirelessly. Click here to watch a short video of the experiment.
“My aspiration is for students to cultivate a positive outlook towards engineering and mathematics,” Dr. Fryer says. “Hearing from a professional like Dr. Braxton not only validates our classroom activities but also demonstrates the real-world value of their learning. We aim to foster a deeper appreciation for math and engineering, encouraging students to envision themselves in STEM careers and to see these subjects as exciting avenues for creativity and problem-solving.”