Our STEM initiative, Trailblazers, is about meeting young people where they are and showcasing careers in civil engineering, surveying, and environmental engineering, while inspiring the next generation of problem solvers.
A key component of the Minnetonka Boulevard Reconstruction project, set to begin construction in 2027, is community engagement. One way we’re connecting with the community is by engaging local young people. When students understand what is happening in their community and learn why, they share that information at home, sparking conversations that can bring community members to our open houses and, ultimately, into the process.
Engineering Camp
This summer, our Trailblazers team hosted a week-long Engineering Camp at a summer program along Minnetonka Boulevard. Throughout the week, students experienced five different hands-on engineering activities. They kicked things off by building marshmallow towers, learning how problem-solving, teamwork, and design go hand in hand. Later, they surveyed their playground and used that data to design their dream playground—including ADA-accessible swimming pools, roller coasters, and Costco’s (apparently, a top choice among today’s youth).
They also explored how construction can affect the environment, especially our waterways. Using homemade water filters, students saw firsthand how pollution travels and how best management practices help keep our lakes clean and blue. One highlight of the week, for students and Trailblazers staff, was the miniature roundabout created in the playground. Complete with truck apron, stop signs, traffic signals, and pedestrian crossings, students had to stop at five storefronts in order to complete the roundabout activity. After the students completed all five engineering activities, they graduated as “Junior Engineers” and celebrated with ice cream! 
From Classroom to Corridor
On the final day, students took everything they had learned about engineering and applied it to their very own segment of the Minnetonka Boulevard project. Each student designed a block of the roadway, which was then combined to show one imaginative “dream vision” for the corridor. Seeing their ideas come together was a special moment and a perfect example of how engineering blends creativity, problem-solving, and community needs.
The students’ artwork will be showcased at our upcoming open houses for the Minnetonka Boulevard project, with the goal of keeping the students’ voices and the community’s at the forefront of the project design.
When we design roads for young people, we design them for everyone. And when we introduce those young minds to engineering—connecting them to real projects in their own neighborhood—we’re not just building roads, we’re building better communities.
If you would like to work with Alliant Trailblazers, contact Beth Winter.