. >> introducing kids to what engineers do has been parker merle's passion for 25 years, in 1986 he and a fellow teacher started the engineering academy at oakland tech concerned students were failing college physics and developed a new curriculum. >> you learn a whole new way of looking at the world, visualizing objects, logically. yes, it's more of a class on logic. >> i saw the math is based on real life things, which is much more -- which is better because i don't like the abstract. >> yesterday, i drew an ice metric cube. >> 130 students produce projects, starting can sketches and make computer models. >> they will start doing a 3d project. >> the hands-on premiums them for college. >> they come back and say we're doing in drafting class what we learned in tenth grade. it's a program that's working. >> you may wonder how the engineering academy survived 25 years with all the budget cuts. mr.merle has solicited and received support not just from parents but also from local corporations, and port of oakland even. their annual model bridge building competition fills the house, caltran