Something remarkable happened at St. Louis-area school St. Catherine Laboure recently. Dozens of kindergartners — most of whom had never heard the words "structural engineer" — walked out of their classroom that day knowing exactly what one is, why they matter, and at least one of them is already planning to become one.
This was the Future Builders Program in action, and it was everything we hoped it could be.
NCSEA's own Monica Shripka led the presentations across two kindergarten classes, guiding students through what structures are, how engineers design them, and why the work of a structural engineer matters to every community. After the introduction, students broke into six small groups and got to do what engineers do: build, experiment, and solve problems together. The designs that came out of those little hands in just a short time were, frankly, impressive.
The numbers from the day speak for themselves. Before Monica's presentation, four students in the first class and six in the second raised their hands when asked if they knew what a structural engineer was. After? All 28 students in the first class and 29 in the second said they now understood what structural engineers do. In less than an hour, an entire room of five-year-olds gained awareness of a profession that shapes every structure around them.
But the moment that really says it all came after the visit. A parent texted to share that their son Brody came home from school that day excited and full of news — he told his family he wants to be a structural engineer. That kind of spark, in a kindergartner, is exactly why this program exists.
The school felt it too. Before the volunteers had even left the building, the teachers asked if they could come back next year.
"The energy and excitement we were hoping to inspire truly came to life in the classroom. It was very exciting to see."
— Jill Kilker, Chief Development Officer, NCSEA Foundation
The Future Builders Program is growing, and this visit is proof of what's possible when NCSEA members show up in classrooms. What began as a vision for national K–12 outreach is now reaching real students, sparking real curiosity, and building real connections between the next generation and the profession that keeps communities safe. With pilot SEAs across the country preparing to bring Future Builders into their regions, the momentum is only building.
Help Us Reach More Classrooms Like This One
Every dollar raised for Future Builders goes directly to getting this program in front of students who might never otherwise meet a structural engineer. The impact is immediate, measurable, and lasting — just ask Brody.
Whether you give as an individual, a firm, or an SEA, your support puts hands-on engineering experiences in classrooms across the country, and puts our profession in front of the next generation of builders.