BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — To help a Boy Scout troop earn Engineering merit badges, fire/life-safety products provider Fike Corp. hosted a fire and explosion safety exhibit at its 26,000-square-foot explosion protection remote testing facility.

To achieve their merit badges, the scouts must visit an engineer to discuss what type of work the engineer performs, how he/she achieves results and career responsibilities.

“We were excited to host this group of young minds,” Fike President and CEO Chuck Kopoulos says. “Our company prides itself on engineering innovation. That starts with encouraging our youth to challenge their minds, and to seek future careers in the Engineering fields.”

A group of Webolos I and II from Boy Scout Troop 3013 of Douglas, Kan., listened to Fike Senior Explosion Protection Test Engineer Tom Farrell explain general household safety and industrial explosion hazards.

Remote site staff members Chris Ballowe and John Sours also presented a real-life demonstration on why water should not be used to put out a grease fire. Additionally, the troop learned how to properly use a household fire extinguisher. The engineers also conducted several industrial-scale explosions to stress the importance of safety and good engineering practices.

“We provided the scouts with exposure to several engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, chemical and software engineering,” Farrell says. “These scouts received a once-in-a-lifetime experience at a facility that is normally closed to the public. They loved it. The kids and their parents were extremely excited and very appreciative of the demonstrations we provided. Thermodynamics will never be the same again, and engineering just got a whole lot more interesting.”

 

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