Transportation officials mentor gifted kids

Mark Rincon, an analyst for the state department of transportation, held up a topographic map of Carson City.

"Topographic maps show contour lines, and contour lines show the different surface elevations of the ground," he explained to fourth- and fifth-grade students in the Gifted and Talented Education program at Fritsch Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon.

On the map, he pointed out Kings Canyon Creek, Ash Canyon Creek and streets in town like Winnie Lane.

"Contour maps have a lot of information on them," he said.

For the past two years, the Nevada Department of Transportation has partnered with the Carson City School District to mentor gifted students.

Accompanied by a teacher, experts in different areas teach a lesson then lead students through a hands-on exercise.

"For me, it's rewarding because these kids are very engaged," said Rob Easton, personnel officer for the transportation department. "They're hungry for knowledge, and they're very curious. That makes our job easy."

Wednesday's lessons covered topographical and aerial mapping.

Joseph Spencer and Lucy Adams, who work in aerial imaging, led that lesson. Spencer told the children that NDOT has been flying photo missions since 1959.

Since then, he said, there have been 2,888 photo missions, each taking 25 to thousands of photos.

"The reason it's called aerial photography is because it's taken from an airplane," explained Camryn Aten, 9. "The pilots wear 3-D glasses to see figures pop out of the ground."

Easton said that through his work with the university system, he's learned that many students interested in engineering aren't prepared once they get to college.

He said teaching the students early about the career will encourage them to take the appropriate math and science classes in high school.

Max DeMar, 11, plans to do so.

"I want to be an engineer," he said. "I know when you're an engineer you have to use a lot of math skills, and I'm good at math."

Easton said he also tries to bring in female or minority employees to draw new interest to a typically male-dominated field.

Anna Glenn, 9, isn't sure what she wants to be when she grows up but knows she won't be limited by her gender.

"Women are just as capable as men are," she said.

Carol Harris, the school district's gifted program coordinator, said the partnership has allowed students to be challenged, despite a shrinking budget.

"The partnership with NDOT has allowed us to give some engineering training to our brightest kids," she said.