From Curiosity to Creation: Ian Lange’s Engineering Journey

 

When Ian Lange talks about engineering, he doesn’t start with equations or credentials. He starts with wonder and possibility.

“One time my dad told me he was working on code for an artificial pig heart,” Lange said. “That was crazy!”

Lange, a 16-year-old junior at Burnsville High School (BHS), grew up surrounded by that kind of curiosity. His father is a software engineer at Mayo Clinic who works mostly from home, so engineering tools and materials were always part of his environment. Long before Lange could name a career path, he was watching firsthand how problems could be broken down and solved. Engineering felt big and almost unreal at first, but it stuck with him.

“It started out as this huge, crazy, cool thing,” he said. “But now I can break it down, and it’s really interesting.”

 

Exploring the possibilities

When Lange entered high school, he didn’t immediately dive into engineering. Like many students, he tested the waters first.

“When I entered high school, I found that there are so many ways you can go and so many things that are offered,” he said.

He started in the business pathway, curious to see if it fit. While he found value in the subject matter, something was missing. The work didn’t spark the same excitement he felt when he thought about designing, building and experimenting.

He learned quickly that the Pathways Program at BHS is purposefully designed for exploration.

“There’s a lot of emphasis on trying different things to find out what your interests are,” Lange said. “I think that’s what high school should be all about.”

Engineering was always there in the background, one of several Pathway options that students are introduced to early on, along with courses that support students in their journey. For Lange, it wasn’t a leap as much as a decision to commit to something he had been circling for years.

“I just wanted to try stuff out,” he said. “I always thought the engineering pathway was just there and I could take some classes if I wanted.”

 

Finding his people — and his passion

Lange began taking engineering classes during his sophomore year, and the experience felt different than his other classes right away. The days were full of activities that were collaborative, hands-on and creative.

“The general theme for engineering for me is I meet someone who is good at their job, and then learn from them,” he said.

His first engineering teacher, Sergei Raspel, made a lasting impression. “He’s crazy good at his job,” Lange said, crediting Raspel with helping him see engineering as both challenging and approachable.

In that first class, Lange worked alongside friends to design and 3D print a mini RC race car. The project didn’t work the first time — which turned out to be part of the appeal.

“When something fails, you want to get to fix it,” Lange said.

The group came back to the project the following year, determined to make it work. This time, it did.

“There’s so much you can do in a group setting,” he said. “It feels good to work on a problem and come up with a solution together.”

Lange’s next teacher, Orion Patrie, gave students the freedom to explore their own interests, encouraging experimentation and creativity along the way.

“That’s what engineering is all about,” Lange said. “It’s not always so structured. A lot of people don’t realize how creative it really is.”

He’s quick to push back on stereotypes, too.

“There’s a connotation around engineering, like you’re a nerd,” he said. “In reality, you can be a really interesting person outside engineering and still be good at it.”

 

Falling in love with 3D printing

If there’s one word Lange uses often, it’s “cool.” And nothing earns that label faster than 3D printing.

“It’s the coolest thing ever,” he said.

Last year, Lange learned the fundamentals of 3D printing while building the RC car, printing each component piece by piece. This year, he has more access to the printers — and more freedom.

“You send something to the printer, and it works on it overnight,” he said. “The next day, it’s like Christmas morning going into school and starting to put all the pieces together. If it works, it’s such an exciting feeling!”

Lange has already built a mini train powered by a battery-operated motor. Now, he’s focused on an individual project that blends engineering with environmental responsibility.

A passionate fisherman, Lange wanted to tackle a real-world problem: the environmental impact of lost or discarded fishing lures.

“I decided to work on how to solve environmental issues caused by fishing,” he said.

His solution is a biodegradable fishing lure — 3D-printed and coated with a material designed to break down over time.

“You have to see things around you and how to make them better for everyone,” Lange said. “That’s what engineering is all about.”

 

Skills that go beyond the classroom

Engineering hasn’t just changed what Lange knows or how he sees his future; it’s changed how he thinks about his present.

“It’s improved the way my brain thinks in so many different ways,” he said.

Pattern recognition and problem-solving skills from CAD (computer-aided design) show up in unexpected places, from playing the piano to a chess match.

“When you break patterns down, it’s all the same fundamentals,” he said. “That applies to a lot of things.”

Those skills, he believes, will last far beyond high school.

“I think these skills will help me for the rest of my life,” Lange said. “They won’t go away.”

 

Looking ahead

After high school, Lange plans to pursue a career in a STEM field. At a larger college, that likely means engineering; at a smaller one, math or physics. Either way, he sees engineering as a foundation for what comes next.

“No matter what I study, it will still be beneficial and interesting,” he said. “My dream is to start an engineering company. I want to solve problems and to help people.”

He’s already thinking about combining engineering with entrepreneurship, and about learning for learning’s sake.

“I value learning more than the grade, honestly,” Lange said. “Grades are just a means of getting access to more learning.”

For students unsure about engineering, Lange keeps the message simple.

“The coolest thing about engineering is the freedom of it,” he said. “It’s designed to make everyone’s life easier. It’s not for everyone — but the skills you build in it can make an impact  for everyone.”

 

Pathways in District 191

From preschool through graduation, District 191’s Pathways model provides all students with age-appropriate experiences through which they explore possibilities, develop the skills and attributes they’ll need to succeed, find their passions and prepare for their futures. 

Being a Pathways district means we:

• Remove barriers and ensure equitable access for all students,
• Center students as decision makers in their learning journeys,
• Promote a future-focused mindset, ensuring students have a plan for meeting their next challenge,
• Engage in partnerships to maximize resources and opportunities, and 
• Provide real-world benefits, including professional certifications and college credits by graduation

Learn more at pathways.isd191.org.