Second Graders Learn from Real-Life Engineer Melroy Teigen: May 15, 2025

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White Pine 2nd graders had a truly memorable learning experience this week with a special visit from Melroy Teigen, a highly accomplished engineer who spent his career with the U.S. Forest Service.

Mr. Teigen rose to the position of Regional Engineer of the Pacific Southwest Region and served as the Director of Engineering, overseeing major engineering projects across the western United States. But one of the most remarkable parts of his career came during a historic natural disaster—the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980.



As the Forest Engineer at the time, Mr. Teigen was responsible for leading the reconstruction of critical infrastructure damaged by the eruption. His projects included:

  • Rebuilding roads, bridges, and campgrounds destroyed by volcanic activity

  • Constructing an 8,000-foot tunnel to help lower and manage water levels in Spirit Lake

  • Designing and overseeing the building of three visitor centers to help educate the public and honor the impact of the eruption

Mr. Teigen shared stories, photos, and engineering insights that helped students understand how science, math, and problem-solving play a role in real-world challenges.

Our 2nd graders were captivated—not just by the scale of his projects, but by the message that engineers solve big problems to help people and protect the environment.

We are so grateful to Mr. Teigen for taking the time to inspire our young learners and show them the real-world impact of STEM education!



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