CSX Inspires Future Innovators with Engaging STEM Day for Girl Scouts

August 9, 2024 – CSX hosted a STEM Day this summer as part of the company’s commitment to supporting its communities. The event was guided by the Service Operations and Reliability team at CSX Technology, under the leadership of Christina Stallings, senior technical director.

On June 21, the Technology team, including Ralph Atkins, senior lead product manager; Kristina Randolph, manager of service desk; and Star Shephard, systems engineer, welcomed 50 Girl Scouts ranging from 4th to 8th grade to the River House on Jacksonville University's campus. The day was well planned, offering a blend of engaging and educational activities designed to both inspire and inform.

The event kicked off with an engineering challenge, in which the scouts were divided into teams to design and build intermodal routes for trucks. This hands-on activity offered a fun introduction to the vital concepts of logistics and transportation. Through teamwork and problem-solving, the participants learned how to plan efficient routes and ensure the safe transport of goods, all while enjoying the process of constructing their projects.

Following this, the scouts ventured into the realm of coding with a creative low-code session. Under the instruction of the skilled CSX team, they explored user-friendly tools to craft their own stories, games, and animations. This activity not only sparked their creativity but also provided them with a firsthand experience of how technology can be used to bring ideas to life.

“This was our fourth STEM Day event, and I am incredibly proud of our Technology team’s efforts. We are grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact,” said Christina Stallings. “By providing the youth with a day of discovery and learning, we hope to ignite a passion for STEM that could shape their futures and empower them to reach new heights.”