Building the Future: A Q&A with KLJ’s Paul Bjornson & Greg Thelen on Inspiring Students at the T4 Summit
As part of Engineers Week, KLJ is committed to inspiring the next generation of engineers through community outreach and STEM education. One way we do this is by engaging with students at events like the T4 Summit in Devils Lake, where industry professionals connect with future innovators. KLJ’s Paul Bjornson, PE (ND), Transportation Client Relationship Leader, and Greg Thelen, PE (ND), Construction Field Engineer, had the opportunity to teach a session on Road/Structure Construction Foundations and Materials, giving students a hands-on look at the world of engineering. Below, they share their experience and insights from the event.
Can you tell us about the T4 Summit and its objectives?
Paul Bjornson: The T4 Summit, which stands for Tools, Trades, Torque, and Tech, is a day-long educational event in North Dakota hosted by the North Dakota Petroleum Foundation designed for students in grades 6-12. It introduces students to workforce skills, training, and networking opportunities with industry leaders and technicians.
Why are events like T4 Summit important for students?
Paul Bjornson: The T4 Summit is a fantastic event that connects students with real-world career opportunities in STEM and the trades. It was great to see so many students engaged and eager to learn about construction engineering.
What did your session on Road/Structure Construction Foundations and Materials involve?
Paul Bjornson: We provided a mix of discussion and a hands-on activity to show students how moisture content and geosynthetic reinforcement impact subgrade strength on roadway/runway projects. It was a great way to introduce them to engineering concepts in a fun and interactive way. This was done by having the students fill 4-inch diameter 6-inch-high molds with sand, then removing the molds and testing to see how much weight the unsupported material could withstand. Students were given spray bottles to moisture condition the sand, experimented with various lift thickness and effort put into the compaction, and had some geosynthetic material they could place between lifts. They were given the opportunity for multiple attempts and were provided coaching after each attempt as to what changes could improve the strength. Typically, a first attempt without geosynthetic reinforcement, held between 0 and 10lbs. With fabric reinforcement, proper moisture content and good compaction strength improved to 20 to 30 lbs. with the most engaged students in each section maxing out at 55lbs., which was all the weight we brought for testing.
Greg Thelen: We focused on making it as engaging as possible, by letting students interact with materials and see their real-world effects of the concepts we discussed. Through the hands-on experience students got a better sense of how engineering plays a role in the infrastructure they use daily.
How does KLJ’s involvement in events like this align with its mission?
Greg Thelen: At KLJ, we believe in investing in the future by sharing knowledge and inspiring the next generation. Events like this allow us to give back to the community and support workforce development. We’re passionate about what we do, and being able to share that with students is rewarding. If even one student walks away excited about engineering, then we’ve made an impact.
What advice did you give students interested in engineering at the T4 Summit?
Paul Bjornson: Stay curious and take advantage of hands-on learning opportunities like internships. Engineering is about problem-solving, and the more you explore, the more you’ll discover what excites you.
Greg Thelen: Build a strong foundation in math and science but also work on communication and teamwork. Engineering is a collaborative field, and those skills are just as important as technical knowledge.
