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HOW TO INTEREST STUDENTS IN ENGINEERING:
This is a member suggestion for the Orlando
Section of IEEE to consider for bringing about an
increased interest of junior and high school
students into the engineering professions. It
could be expanded to other sections in the
FCIEEE.
The
Concept:
The theme being an engineer for a dy, at the
local university such as UCF, local school(s)
science and math teachers are invited to attend
(with or without a few of their students) the
engineering fair held at the university. IEEE
student members and IEEE members attend at the same
time, offering a short talk on their experiences in
becoming engineers and practicing the engineering
profession.
The
following steps could be followed:
- One
room set up during the day for speakers from local
businesses, who would be IEEE members, to present a
talk about what they do on a day to day basis as an
engineer. Using examples of their products and
services on display with pictures and models, etc.
could provide both the teachers and their junior
and senior high school students with a better idea
just what engineering degreed professionals do for
a living. Or a hobby, if retired.
- Each
presentation should be held to about a 15 min.
presentation and allowing for a 15 min. question
and answer period. The presentations should be the
"big picture" and leaving the details, if
interested, for answering questions.
- Use
of programs, handed or mailed out weeks before the
engineering fair is held, provides an interest and
perhaps discussions by teachers and their students
before attending the engineering fair.
- The
fair could be held during "Engineers Week"
- Students
get to see what the University has to offer, what
the engineering students have accomplished, and the
professor capability available.
- Teachers
in the local schools become exposed to what can
happen after they teach the math and sciences to
non-engineers.
- The
exposure to the teachers of engineering products
and services can assist them when a student may
wish to offer a science or engineering project in
the local, county and state science and engineering
fairs.
- Contacts
can be made by the teachers of IEEE members and
IEEE student members who may offer help for one of
their students on a science and engineering
project.
- The
booklet or program should be prepared by the
University IEEE Student Chapter with assistance
from the local section or FCIEEE getting speakers
of diverse interest and backgrounds as well as in
funding.
- This
booklet should cover/contain items of interest as
well as pictures for the teachers of junior and
high school students to consider what questions to
ask. Such as: What is an engineer? What do they do?
How does one recognize who could become an
engineer? What future is there in being an
engineer? Can engineering be fun at the same time
as providing a living?
- At
the end of the day, some kind of contest (see
below) could be held or engineering mementos
provided the teachers and students for
attending.
- Perhaps
IEEE-sponsored awards could be offered to the
first, second and third best university student
engineering project as determined by vote of the
junior and senior high school attendees.
- Perhaps
lunch could be provided for.
- Perhaps
the local school board could become involved if the
interest is great.
CONTEST
- A group of IEEE Life Members could
provide a "Best in Engineering Class" task or game
for the attending students at the end of the talks.
Providing kits (misc. parts) with simple
instructions on how to build a motor, generator or
pump, etc. Awards (IEEE provided) could be offered
by the Life Member(s) for the best project at the
closing of the fair.
Any
comments please direct them to:
- George
F. McClure
- g.mcclure@ieee.org
- Ph.
407-647-5092
- Fax
407-644-4076
- 1730
Shiloh Lane
- Winter
Park, FL 32789
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