There are not many opportunities for students to explore civil engineering through hands-on learning before deciding what they may want to study or pursue as a career. Without those experiences, it can be difficult for young people to understand what civil engineering actually involves or determine what they enjoy and what may not be the right fit for them. That is why Viox & Viox created Civil Bites & Insights.
Our primary goal is to educate and inspire the next generation by giving high school and early college students an interactive, real-world look at our industry. Through design activities, conversations with professionals, and project site visits, students can explore different career paths and see how the work we do shapes the communities around them.
After the success of our first event in 2025, we were excited to make Civil Bites & Insights even bigger this year. We expanded the event from one day to two, welcoming a total of 18 students compared to five during our first year.
Learning Through Hands-On Experience
Each five-hour event began with an introduction to Viox & Viox and the role civil engineering plays in shaping communities. Students then participated in a site design activity where they were given a property and challenged to determine the best location for a building, parking spaces, sanitary sewer, stormwater infrastructure, electricity, and other important site features.
The activity encouraged students to think through the same types of decisions civil engineers and designers make when planning a real development. After lunch, students visited the actual site they had designed, allowing them to compare their ideas with the completed project and see how the different elements worked together in real life.
Exploring Projects and Land Surveying
Students also visited Silverlake Park, where they learned more about the project and the work involved in bringing it to life. The day continued with a land surveying demonstration that gave students an up-close look at surveying equipment and the important role surveyors play throughout the design and construction process.
Of course, Civil Bites & Insights would not have been complete without ice cream! Each student also received a swag bag filled with Viox & Viox goodies to remember the experience.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Both days were a great success, and we were excited to see so many students asking questions, sharing ideas, and exploring career opportunities within our industry. Growing from five students during our first year to 18 this year showed us just how much interest there is in hands-on opportunities like Civil Bites & Insights.
At Viox & Viox, we believe that introducing students to these careers early can help them better understand the many opportunities available in civil engineering, land surveying, and landscape architecture. By connecting classroom concepts to real projects, we hope students can begin to picture themselves helping design and build the communities of the future.
Interested in Civil Bites & Insights 2027?
We are already looking forward to making next year’s event even bigger and better! Students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors, and other educators who would like to receive information about Civil Bites & Insights 2027 can join our interest list by contacting gcraddock@vioxinc.com.
We would love to connect and share future event details as they become available.
