Got a call at work from a "student" interviewing IT professionals as an "assignment". Scam?

My niece’s class (middle school) is doing an assignment like this right now where they have to interview a professional, submit a poster, and a paper on the history of the profession.

She contacted me as I expect most students are hitting up people in their families. No idea what instructions they are given for contacting/how not to contact people.

Can see it being legit.