Category: News

Family Engineering Featured

Michigan Tech’s Family Engineering program is mentioned in the April newsletter of the Society of Women Engineers.

Developed by Michigan Tech’s Neil Hutzler and Joan Chadde, the Foundation for Family Science & Engineering and the American Society for Engineering Education with a $1.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation, Family Engineering is growing into a nationwide initiative. Family Engineering: An Activity & Event Planning Guide, published in June 2011, is prompting Family Engineering events across the country.

To read the story, see SWE:Engaging Families in Engineering.

Four Michigan Tech students have received graduate research fellowships from the National Science Foundation

Four Michigan Tech students have received graduate research fellowships from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Six other Tech students received honorable mentions in the competition. Nationwide, the NSF awarded 2,000 fellowships and 1,835 honorable mentions.

Mark Hopkins, mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics; Brennan Tymrak, mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics and Peace Corps Master’s International; Jennifer Fuller, civil and environmental engineering; and Liz Cloos, electrical and computer engineering, received NSF fellowships for graduate study. Bryan Plunger, Alan Olds, Evan Lucas, Hilary Morgan, Byrel Mitchell and Patrick Bowen earned honorable mentions.

Students Earn Awards for Research

From the Center for Water & Society World Water Day, First Place Award Original Research $250: Marcel Dijkstra, Advisor: Marty Auer, Topic of research: “Predicting Ecosystem Changes in Lake Superior Insights Regarding Thermal Structure and the Spring Algal Bloom”

Center for Water & Society World Water Day Third Place Award $100 Coursework/Informational, to Stephanie Tulk for her project: “Management of Hydrological Systems near Alpine Glaciers”

Pictures and links to the posters and the other students who participated can be found at Center for Water & Society World Water Day Results

Chadde Attends National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

Joan Chadde attended the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) national convention in Indianapolis, for the national book launch of the Family Engineering Activity and Event Planning Guide. More than 15,000 classroom teachers, school adminstrators, curriculum specialists, and nonformal educators at museums and other venues, attend this conference, as well as, science and STEM educators from around the world.

Tech people at Michigan Bridge Workshop and Conference

The Center for Technology and Training (CTT), a part of the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI), hosted the Michigan Bridge Workshop and Conference in Howell, March 20 and 21.

The conference brought together more than 160 engineers and engineering technicians from Michigan County Road Commissions, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Federal Highway Administration, and private firms to learn about bridge design, construction, inspection, funding, and administrative issues related to bridges and new bridge technology.

Alex Mayer Cited by Center for Water and Society

As part of World Water Day, Professor Alex Mayer (CEE) was recognized for his initiative and dedication in cofounding and leading the Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society (MT-CWS).

Mayer, who received a certificate and a stained glass scene of Lake Superior, cofounded the CWS in 2005. The organization’s mission is to enhance the ability and visibility of Michigan Tech to solve water-related problems of local, regional, and international interest.

Mayer stepped down in August of 2011. “I had a great time for six years,” he said. “I have worked with so many remarkable people who have contributed to the success of the center, but I felt it was time for some new blood and to bring in people with exciting and new ideas.”

Professor Noel Urban (CEE) succeeds Mayer.

NSBE team takes Family Engineering to Detroit

Members of Michigan Tech’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) are in Detroit to participate in an alternative spring break 2012 week. Eight members of the Michigan Tech student chapter of the NSBE will visit six middle schools and one high school to talk with students. They will also conduct Family Engineering events at three schools. Family Engineering includes fun, hands-on activities for the whole family, such as “Mining For Chocolate” and “Glue Is The Clue.” The program, developed at Michigan Tech and now available across Michigan and nationwide, is designed to engage and inspire young people and their families to consider careers in engineering and science. Read More

UPDATE: See a Video about Engineering Students Spring Break to Detroit Schools