Fredonia Engineering Students Experience College
Innovation at Southern Utah University
By Lumen Cristy Ihong

On February 24, 2026, the Fredonia High School Engineering class had the opportunity to visit
the Engineering and Technology Department at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah.
The students were accompanied by their teacher, Mr. Ihong, as part of our continued effort to
expose them to real world applications of engineering and future college pathways.

This meaningful visit was made possible through the support of the Fredonia School
administration and College Director Richard Cozzens, who allowed our students to experience
firsthand what engineering looks like at the university level. We are also sincerely thankful to
Dean Bill Heyborn for welcoming our group and taking the time to introduce the programs and
opportunities available to aspiring engineers.

The visit began with a warm welcome from the Dean, who encouraged the students to continue
developing their skills and to consider higher education as part of their long term goals. From
there, the class toured the makerspace and machine shop. University instructors explained that
engineering goes beyond creating designs on paper. Students saw how ideas are transformed
into actual prototypes through careful planning, precision work, and hands on application.
Observing college students build and test their projects gave our class a clearer understanding
of the engineering process from concept to completion.

The group also visited the wind tunnel laboratory, where students learned how airflow is tested
to improve various designs. Seeing the equipment in action helped them connect classroom
concepts with real engineering practices.

One of the highlights of the trip was the virtual reality classroom. Students were able to
participate in an immersive geography exploration, virtually visiting different places and
countries. The experience combined technology, creativity, and global awareness, and it was
evident how much the students enjoyed learning in such an interactive environment.

Fredonia’s Engineering CTE class is a pioneering program for our school. Providing students
with exposure to college facilities and advanced technology plays an important role in shaping
their confidence and aspirations. Experiences like this encourage them to pursue higher
education and inspire them to continue building the skills needed for their future careers.

This visit served as a powerful reminder that learning extends far beyond the classroom. By
stepping onto a university campus and engaging with innovative tools and technology, our
students were able to envision themselves as future engineers and college students.