IEEE Richmond Section Report, April 2013

Most fun activity/program your section has had recently?

- Annual IEEE Richmond Summer Family Social – a great time to grow “personal
  connections” and meet family members.

- IEEE Student Activities and the IEEE VCU & VSU Student Branches – student
  enthusiasm and pride is inspiring.

Most successful activity/program your section has had recently.

- Chesterfield Power Station and QTS Richmond Data Center tours – both had
  large turn outs and created fond memories. Also while walking around you
  learn about fellow members interests.

Member Engagement Activities: What did your Section do related to member
engagement beyond meetings (projects, activities, etc.)?

- Short 5-10 minute professional development talks before main technical talk
  often held.

Section activities focused outward: 

It’s Electric IV – Powerful Knowledge for Girl Scouts

On Saturday, October 27, 2012, Dominion Virginia Power’s Innsbrook Technical
Center in Glen Allen, Virginia was lit up with the energy of over 140 Girl
Scouts from the Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of VA, Inc. There were four
learning areas for the girls to rotate between, and one covered knowledge and
activities on Basic Electricity. That area was sponsored by the Richmond
section of IEEE, Inc., and their affinity group, Women in Engineering (WIE).

Girl Scouts in grades 7 – 12 learned about the physics of electrical current,
the generation and transmission of electricity from the power plant to our
homes, and proper safety behavior around common electrical appliances. Girls
were able to ride a bicycle to generate electricity (built by John Cross of
our section), and learn their responsibility to use electricity wisely.

Girls heard directly from numerous female engineers and scientists what it
takes to become an engineer or scientist, and the exciting experiences theses
careers can yield. The girls received the IEEE GirlsGoEngineering.org patch
and our own WIE pencils and bracelets. 

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Science Saturday – Engineering

The Richmond section of IEEE, Inc., and their affinity group, Women in
Engineering (WIE), volunteered at the Fredericksburg “Science Saturday” day
for middle school aged girls. The program was hosted by Germanna Community
College’s Engineering department. A record 28 girls signed up for our session.

The girls learned how a computer works from the inside out, including a direct
view of the hard drive in operation, saw a demonstration of an electromagnet
and then built several circuits with lights and buzzers. Each girl also made
her own flashlight using a toilet paper cardboard tube, batteries, bulb, and
small wires. A volunteer from the Naval Surface Warfare Center conducted a
robot programing demonstration. The girls had a great time, asked a lot of
great questions, and learned that engineering can be fun!

The girls received the IEEE GirlsGoEngineering.org patch and our own WIE
pencils and bracelets.

Barriers: What barriers does your section have in carrying out these activities?

Volunteer support for events.

Issues requiring action by the Region 3 ExCom or Committee
Request student officer training to “make rounds” again next fall.

-- 
Cheers,
James