Early exposure to engineering and construction can help develop future workforce interest, particularly among students who have limited opportunities to explore technical careers. Mortenson hosted 50 Girl Scouts at its Minneapolis office on Oct. 9, 2026, for an interactive programme focused on construction, renewable energy and engineering.
Volunteers from Mortenson's civil, solar and wind teams organised practical activities to introduce participants in grades five through eight to technical concepts used across the construction industry. The event also supported the Girl Scouts' Power Girls Patch programme, which aims to build STEM skills and awareness of construction career opportunities.
The Minneapolis event was the second time Mortenson had hosted the initiative, following an earlier programme in 2024. Participants worked individually and in groups, applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills while learning about different roles within the industry.
The wind activity introduced turbine design and basic electricity generation. Participants assembled miniature wind turbines using paper cups and craft sticks, then connected the rotors to small batteries and LED lights. By testing their models in front of a fan, the students explored how wind direction and blade size and placement can affect power generation. The activity also provided supervised experience using a power drill with personal protective equipment.
In the solar session, participants constructed paper houses fitted with small solar panels. Copper tape connected the panels to electrical circuits inside the models, allowing the students to illuminate their houses. The exercise demonstrated electrical conductivity, circuit connections and the basic principles of converting solar energy into electricity.
The civil engineering session focused on soil conditions and foundation design. Participants tested soil strength and stability to understand how ground conditions influence the foundations needed to support structures. The activity introduced concepts engineers consider when evaluating sites and developing safe structural designs.
Together, the three sessions demonstrated how construction combines practical skills, scientific principles and engineering decisions across renewable energy and civil infrastructure projects.
Mortenson's initiative provides a direct introduction to technical disciplines that support construction and energy infrastructure. By involving employees from three business areas, the programme exposed students to different career pathways rather than focusing on a single construction trade.
The activities also connected classroom concepts with practical applications, from electrical circuits and wind power to subsurface conditions and structural foundations. These experiences can help students understand the range of skills involved in planning and delivering construction projects.
For construction employers, outreach programmes offer a way to introduce younger students to the industry's technical roles before they begin making education and career decisions. Mortenson's event also highlights how employee-led demonstrations can bring real-world engineering concepts into youth education programmes.
Source: Mortenson.
