Georgetown ISD civil engineering students took a class project to a whole other level in a hands-on community effort through a partnership with the Georgetown Trails Foundation. By designing and constructing two new bridges on the San Gabriel River Trails, they not only applied their skills in a real-world setting but also enhanced outdoor spaces for their community.
The Georgetown Trails Foundation, dedicated to improving local trails, partnered with students on two impactful projects: replacing an outdated bridge and building a new one over a hazardous dip in the trail. The students actively took charge, dividing into teams to design their structures, develop detailed plans, and calculate costs. They brought real-world problem-solving to life, working hands-on to enhance the local community’s trails.
On January 17, the project came to life. Led by their teacher, Mr. Nikolaus, and Foundation Vice President Aaron Zander, the students transported materials to the site and got to work. “Everyone was having a good time and working well together,” East View Junior Charles Brainard said. “It was a pretty seamless build, and any conflicts that came up were quickly resolved.”
Both the students and the community felt the impact of their work. Through this project, GISD civil engineering students proved that learning extends far beyond the classroom—one bridge at a time.
Sources: Georgetown ISD Facebook, Georgetown ISD Website
Blog by: Paola Lopez Garcia, Intern, UT Austin.
