Building the future: KDOT attends iBuild, inspires future construction professionals

High school and middle school students had the opportunity to climb inside 

KDOT vehicles and see how they operate from the inside.

More than 1,000 middle school and high school students in the Kansas City Metropolitan area had the opportunity to meet with transportation industry professionals and learn about various construction industry careers at the iBuild Showcase that took place at Bartle Hall in Kansas City on Thursday, May 5. 

KDOT crew members shared what it is like to work for the agency, what they see on a daily basis in work zones, and how to operate the various equipment and vehicles. They encouraged them to pursue careers that will help keep Kansas infrastructure strong and the economy growing.

Students asked the crews how KDOT uses advanced technology to perform their jobs every day. KDOT employees were able to explain how sensors and computer programs help determine the right mixture of road treatments during winter weather.

KDOT is committed to strengthening and encouraging construction professionals well into the future. Many of our jobs offer training and can be filled by high school graduates. For more information on job opportunities check out our website: 

Do you believe in MAGIC? Camp shows girls new career opportunities

The Magic campers show off the mirrors they made while visiting Home Depot on Wednesday.

There is a lot to be excited about when it comes to learning about construction and transportation careers, and for 25 young women attending this year’s MAGIC (Mentoring a Girl in Construction) Camp, they have been able to experience that excitement first-hand.

The week-long MAGIC Camp provides high school girls ages 14 or older the chance to learn about trade skill occupations such as carpentry, safety, electrical and highway construction. This year’s group of campers had the chance to learn from women who have been finding success in these careers.

KDOT's Tammi Clark explains how road surfaces are tested during the Magic Campers' visit to the KDOT Materials Lab in Topeka on Tuesday. 

KDOT Civil Rights Administrator Doria Watson said that it is important to help these young women learn about job opportunities in previously non-traditional fields.

Magic Campers learn how to create their own mirrors while visiting Home Depot.

“The camp gives students self-confidence as they explore new career possibilities they may not have considered before,” Watson said.

Trinity Dillehunt, a sophomore from Topeka, said that she was inspired to come to MAGIC camp because it focuses on women’s empowerment.

Magic Campers create their own bird house rain gauges on their first day of camp. 

“We can do the same things that guys can do,” Dillehunt said. “I want to be an EMT first responder flight nurse. I want to be able to take care of the patient until the air ambulance arrives and during the flight.”

Savannah Buckley, who recently graduated high school from Topeka, said that it just made sense that she would come to MAGIC camp.

“I have always enjoyed doing stuff with my hands and building things,” Buckley said. Her favorite part of camp was getting to know the other girls and finding out what their dream jobs are.

The Magic Campers visit BNSF Railraod on Tuesday. 

Claire Westfall, a senior from Topeka, said that part of the reason she came to MAGIC camp was to learn about what her mom does for a living.

“My mom works for KDOT and she talked about how I would be touring around the areas where she worked and learn about her background,” Westfall said. “It sounded really interesting.”

Magic Campers visit the Air Combat Museum at Forbes Field and learn about aviation. 

Throughout the week the campers have visited various work places, including the Air Combat Museum at Forbes Field on Monday.
Te’raiya Jones, a junior from Topeka, said that she wants to be able to use the skills she has learned at MAGIC camp to grow as a person and to help others who need to be encouraged in the work field.

On Tuesday, the campers visited the KDOT materials lab where they learned about testing asphalt and concrete, how sign paint is made, how rebar strength is tested other areas of the transportation construction field.

Nicole Carter, KDOT Concrete Engineering Associate, explained the importance of Engineering to the campers.

“The chairs that you are all sitting in were designed by an engineer,” Carter said. “Every structure that you see was designed by an engineer. Engineering is a big deal. Our job is to keep everyone safe.”

Magic Campers visit Topeka Metro and learn about different modes of transportation in the City of Topeka.

The campers also visited the BNSF Railroad, Home Depot and Topeka Metro. The rest of the week they will have the opportunity to visit Habitat for Humanity, and Victor L. Phillips Company. The last day of MAGIC camp is tomorrow.

iBuild Showcase demonstrates industry careers

Middle school students learn how to set up portable work zone signage and how they can help travelers navigate through road construction si

More than 1,000 middle school and high school students in the Kansas City Metropolitan area had the opportunity to meet with transportation industry professionals and learn about various construction industry careers at the iBuild Showcase that was took place at Bartle Hall in Kansas City on Thursday, May 4. 

High school students had the opportunity to climb inside KDOT vehicles and see how they operate from the inside.

KDOT crew members shared what it is like to work for the agency, what they see on a daily basis in work zones, and how to operate the various equipment and vehicles. 

The students learned how the dump truck and attenuator works as well as how the hopper and plow can be used in the event of a snow storm.  Staff allowed the students to see what they see from the driver’s seat and demonstrated how to keep the public informed with lights and portable signage.    

High school students had the opportunity to climb inside KDOT vehicles and see how they operate from the inside.

Students also learned ways to stay safe and keep others safe while on the road, including  driving without distractions, slowing down in work zones, and giving KDOT crews the space they need to work.. Some students even commented on ways that they could take that safety messaging home to their parents. 

Students learned important work zone safety messaging through a trivia game at the iBuild Showcase. 

Other construction interactive programs, such as forklifts, 3-D printers, various construction materials and augmented reality programs were also on display for exploration. 

Interest in aircraft, UAS soar at Aviation Day at the Capitol

The aviation industry is incredibly important to the state of Kansas. On Thursday, that fact was celebrated at the Aviation Day at the Capitol. The event welcomed both the public and legislatures to tour and learn from 30 aviation businesses and organizations.

"Aviation, as you all know, has a huge impact in our state," Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson said. "Kansas is home to one of the five world-largest clusters of aviation. More than 48,000 jobs are created directly by our businesses, our tenants and other activities located at commercial services and general aviation airports in the state of Kansas."

The Kansas Air National Guard was just one of the 30 organizations that were represented at Aviation Day at the Capitol. 

Ed Young, Vice President of the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education (KCAE), said that this event drives all levels of aviation together so they can meet with legislatures about how important aviation is to Kansas.

Joe N. Miniace, the Central Region Regional Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration, said that 76 percent of the world's fleet of aircraft have been manufactured in Kansas.

One of the biggest presences at this year's Aviation Day at the Capitol was Unmanned Aerial Systems. Dean of Research at Kansas State University, Kurt Barnhart, said that the one of the major reasons for the use of UAS devices was to help people.

Kansas State University's Booth at the Aviation Day at the Capitol event. 

“We are doing the things we have always done, with less risk and a fraction of the cost,” Barnhart said. "We are excited. It's a revolution." 

The University of Kansas Department of Aerospace Engineering partnered with NASA to display a 65 pound UAS system, dubbed the Argus, that will be testing flight in the next month. 

University of Kansas' 65 pound UAS, Argus, on display at the Aviation Day at the Capitol event. 

The Argus is an airborne radar sensor built for collision avoidance. With over 2.5 hours of flight time, this device could replace older models that fly over glaciers in West Greenland to determine the thickness of the ice. The older models could only fly for 1 hour. 

Businesses like Westar Energy, explained that at times they use UAS devices when they inspect potential damage to various infrastructures because it could be safer than sending out a technician in dangerous situations.

Check out a video of some of the speakers at the event below:

Bus drivers compete in 2nd Annual Kansas Transit Roadeo

Kansas Transit Roadeo participants prepare to start an event. 

Bus drivers from across Kansas wrangled buses around obstacles during the Second Annual Kansas Transit Roadeo held Sunday, September 25 in Lawrence, Kansas.  The roadeo is a hands-on training event that highlights the skill set and camaraderie of transit drivers across the state. The drivers completed a series of obstacle courses, including backing up into tight spaces and maneuvering around tricky corners, while judges measured and observed their techniques, said Anne Lowder, training and outreach coordinator for the Kansas Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP).

A roadeo participant assists an individual in a wheelchair onto a lift during one of the events. 

“Bus driving is one of those skills that can always be improved. You can always be learning,” Lowder said.  “The transit roadeo shows off individual skills in a fun way, but it also provides the opportunity to demonstrate just how safe, knowledgeable, and customer-friendly transit drivers are when it comes to providing transportation to Kansas passengers.”

Lowder said the event also features skills such safely assisting an individual in a wheelchair onto a lift and into the bus, and pre-inspection of a bus. Part of the event includes outfitting a bus with various defects that the contestants must find.

Bob Nugent, director of Lawrence Transit, is one of the members of the Kansas Transit Roadeo Planning Committee and also a judge for the event. He noted that while the roadeo is a competition, it is lighthearted. “The event is for the employees who want to bring their families and show them what they do on a regular basis."      

This year 19 drivers from around the state competed. The 2016 Kansas Transit Roadeo winners were Michelle Brown, Topeka Metro, who took first place with a score of 698; Gabriel Valdovino, Unified Government Transit, who took 2^nd place with a score of 670; and Brenda Martinez, City of Dodge City, who took third place with a score of 664. 

A judge observes a participant during the Kansas Transit Roadeo competition. 

The event was co-sponsored by Kansas Department of Transportation, University of Kansas Transportation Center, Kansas RTAP, ETSC, ATA Bus, Waters True Value, Kansas Truck, KPTA, GTM, Assurance Partners, Philadelphia Insurance, KCATA, Lawrence Transit, MV Transportation, Inc., The Merc Co-op, Lawrence CVB, and Unified Government of Kansas City/Wyandotte County.The 2016 Kansas Transit Roadeo was a great success, and plans are already under way for the next roadeo, in 2017.