Craig Merrett, associate professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Clarkson University, has recently been recognized by Pathful Connect as one of its Top 10 Volunteers for 2023.
Pathful Connect, formerly known as Nepris, is an educational service provider that connects K-12 classrooms in remote or underserved areas with industry professionals across the country. Merrett became involved with Pathful Connect when he arrived at Clarkson in 2016. He was named Pathful Connect Top Volunteer for 2019, 2020, and 2021. To date, Merrett has reached 6,698 students from 498 classes across the United States through 112 Sessions and seven Industry Chats.
During these sessions, Merrett helps students relate science and math concepts from their classes to aerospace engineering technologies like airplanes, helicopters, and satellites. These discussions are enabled by a range of Lego models that engage the students and encourage the students to be creative. Merrett also provides insight about applying to colleges and universities and discusses possible career paths.
“I enjoy connecting with students across the country to introduce them to engineering, and encourage them to view engineering as a possible future career,” Merrett said. “The students are often excited by how a simple math or science concept that they just learned in class has routine applications to advanced technology. Pathful enables visits to more classrooms than I could achieve locally, and broadens students’ experience by connecting them with experts across the country.”