Multnomah County is invested in building educational and engaging opportunities for youth to learn about the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project.
In 2024, the project launched its schools outreach program, bringing team project members directly into classrooms and youth spaces to make engineering tangible, relevant and inspiring. The team led a mix of hands-on activities, in-person tours and events for students to explore engineering, construction and earthquake science. Students met and learned from engineers, project managers and communications professionals. Each activity was designed to foster curiosity, creativity and community connection.
Program Highlights
Grant High School Engineering Program
Throughout multiple visits to Grant High School, students explored earthquake science, bridge design and real-world challenges through team-based earthquake simulations. Activities included shake table testing, movable span construction, environmental mitigation planning and soil stabilization exercises.
KairosPDX 10-Week Learning Block
Students participated in weekly sessions on plate tectonics, bridge types, simple machines and liquefaction—building on each lesson to complete a final design challenge and showcase.
Community-Based Events
The outreach team has delivered Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities at iUrban Teen iCivics, PPS’s Leap Into 9th Grade, Multnomah Youth Cooperative and Multnomah County’s Bring Your Child to Work Day, featuring interactive demonstrations on seismic waves and soil liquefaction.