05/28/2026
For May’s Alumni Spotlight, we’re featuring Cole Borntraeger, a Materials Engineer in Training at Apave Canada, whose curiosity and passion for problem-solving continue to shape his work in STEM and engineering. This month, we’re highlighting the IB Learner Profile attribute Inquirers and how a mindset of curiosity, exploration, and lifelong learning continues to influence Cole’s career and approach to his work.
From analyzing material failures to understanding how corrosion forms, Cole’s work relies on the same chemistry, physics, and critical thinking skills he first explored at Southpointe. Looking back, many concepts that once felt abstract in the classroom only began to fully make sense through real-world experience. Learning how electrochemistry drives corrosion completely changed how he understood engineering, design, and the science behind everyday materials.
Over time, Cole has also come to appreciate math in a new way; not just as formulas, but as a language that explains how the world works without bias or assumption. Today, he continues learning from experienced engineers, technical resources, and by staying curious in every environment he enters.
“Don’t ever stop wondering how things work, and don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. That’s how we learn.”
Cole’s journey is a reminder that being an inquirer doesn’t stop after graduation. Curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to keep learning can open doors to unexpected paths and deeper understanding.
💬 What’s something you learned in school that made more sense later in life?
