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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:
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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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