Outreach Archives | Page 18 of 22 | College of Engineering Blog

Ford to Donate $61,000 to Pre-College Outreach STEM Programs

Published September 20, 2016

The Michigan Tech community is invited to attend a check presentation at 4 p.m. tomorrow (Sept. 21, 2016) at Husky Plaza. Cynthia Protas Hodges, an ’87 mechanical engineering alumna who is now chassis supplier technical assistance site manager at Ford, will present a $61,000 check from Ford to support STEM programs in the Center for Pre-College Outreach.

The gift from Ford will fund youth programs designed to engage young women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Programs include Materials Science & Engineering Summer Youth Program, Engineering Scholars Program, Junior Women in Engineering Program, Mind Trekkers, Southeast Michigan Science & Engineering Festival, and Women in Engineering Program.

From Tech Today, by Jim Desrochers, Office of Innovation and Industry Engagement.

Unscripted Geoheritage: More than a Boulder

Published September 19, 2016

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The rocks of the Keweenaw Peninsula are ancient and full of history. Most are more than one billion years old and hold one of the world’s few native copper deposits. In their guest blog, part of a series on local geoheritage, Erika Vye and Bill Rose explain the importance of a single Copper Country boulder.

The North Houghton County Sewage Authority hit a boulder during work south of Calumet. The boulder is large—nearly seven feet across—but that’s not what makes it unusual. The rock type is a rare sight at the surface and is chock full of copper. The rock is part of the Calumet and Hecla Conglomerate, a formation considered the mother lode of the Keweenaw Peninsula, and represents an important part of the region’s history.

Presenters Needed for Water Festival

Published September 12, 2016

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Presenters are sought for a water festival for students in grades four through eight. The festival takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, at Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center.

Consider being a presenter and sharing your expertise and passion for the Great Lakes and STEM careers.

A total of 20 presenters are needed for the 8:45 to 11:35 a.m. Morning Session and 20 presenters for the Afternoon Session, noon to 2:55 p.m. Those interested can present at either or both sessions.

If interested in presenting, reply at your earliest convenience via email to Joan Chadde or call the office at 7-3341.

Tell us your topic, a short description (2-3 sentences) and if you’re available morning, afternoon or both.

STEM Outreach Influences Engineers

Published September 7, 2016

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MySanAntonio, a web site featuring news about San Antonio, Texas, people, published an article about Melanie McCoy, an engineer and the only female power and water supervisor in Texas. McCoy mentioned Michigan Tech’s Summer Youth Program and its influence on young people going into STEM fields. Read the article here.

From Tech Today.

Sebewaing supervisor is only woman to hold such position in state

“Back then, and even now, there are very few female engineers. That is a shame — it’s an open field (for jobs) for everyone,” she said. “The focus now is to get more girls and woman interested in STEM academics and in engineering jobs.”

An education in STEM classes can go for engineering, manufacturing, agriculture, chemical fields, among others.

“Engineering has some of the best jobs in the world. I love it,” McCoy said.

“Each summer, Michigan Tech (college) hosts a program on STEM for juniors and sophomore students,” said McCoy. “About 65 percent of those to attend the program go on to college.”

Family Engineering Day and Other KSEF Events

Published August 2, 2016

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Great Lakes Research Center Hosts Alumni and KSEF

Faculty, staff and students at the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) are hosting and participating in a number of events during Alumni Reunion and in partnership with the Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival (KSEF). The campus community is invited to join alumni and KSEF attendees at the following GLRC led activities:

“Layers of Superior,” an art show featuring work created by Hancock High School art students and inspired by Lake Superior, is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3-Friday, Aug. 5. The exhibit is located in the first floor lobby of the GLRC.
Join Michigan Tech’s Center for Science and Environmental Outreach at Kestner Waterfront Park for the Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival’s Family Engineering Day from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday.
On Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m., the new donor wall will be dedicated in the first floor lobby of the GRLC. All are invited to the dedication launching the GLRC’s Buy a Fish campaign. Funds raised will support student opportunities, research and facilities improvements. Dedication remarks are scheduled for 3:15 p.m. in the GLRC’s first floor lobby.
Come on down to the GLRC from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday for the GLRC’s Water Festival. Tour a 47 foot Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat, drive an underwater robot, see zooplankton up close, listen to Lake Superior while learning about underwater acoustics research and learn how faculty collect and use data to make predictions on the spread of invasive aquatic species. Visit this link for a full schedule of the Water Festival activities.

From Tech Today, by Elizabeth Hoy.

Science and Engineering Festival begins

The 2nd Annual Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival has begun, featuring three days of hands-on activities based on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Most of the events all families to participate with their children, like the Family Engineering Day put on by Michigan Center for Science and Environmental Outreach.

New slide shows feature Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival, alumni visitors, Science Fair winners, Lake Superior Celebration

Keweenaw Now captured some of the highlights of these events with photos we have now posted in our new slide show format. We also have added a slide show on the Western UP Science Fair winners and the April 26 Lake Superior Celebration at the GLRC. (See Slide Show announcement and links in our right-hand column).

Read more and watch a video presentation by Pengfei Xue at Keweenaw Now by Michele Bourdieu.

Junior Women in Engineering Scholarship Program

Published July 28, 2016

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HOUGHTON, Mich. (WLUC) Ford Motor Company donated $10,000 to Michigan Tech.

The money is enabling middle school students to take part in the Junior Women in Engineering Scholarship program.

Eighth grade student Emma White from Indiana says she’s been interested in STEM fields for quite sometime.

“I really wanted to try it and see what the different engineering fields were because I didn’t know much about them,” White said.

Volunteers Needed for KSEF

Published July 27, 2016

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The second annual Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival (KSEF) is Aug. 3-6, and we need your help to make it another success.

Volunteers are needed for various tasks over several days and all help is appreciated whether it is two hours or three days. Help us in our mission to spark a local interest in STEM by presenting the most compelling, exciting and educational festival in the Upper Peninsula.

Details for each event’s needs are listed below and lunch will be provided for volunteers. Visit us online for a complete schedule of events.

Thursday, August 4

A total of 20 volunteers are needed for Family Engineering Day, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m., at Houghton’s Kestner Waterfront Park and lunch is provided.

Volunteers are asked to contact Joan Chadde at jchadde@mtu.edu if they want to assist (provide: Name, Major, Email, Cell number, and whether you’ve presented before).

Lake Superior Day 2016

Published July 20, 2016

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Celebrate the beauty and bounty of Lake Superior from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 2016. Copper Harbor community volunteers, along with the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, are organizing the fourth annual Lake Superior Day Festival with lots of special activities at the 6th Street Dock along the Copper Harbor Boardwalk (near Isle Royale Queen boat dock).

The Agassiz will depart every 45 minutes from the Isle Royale Queen dock beginning at noon. Space is limited to 17 persons per excursion. Participants must be at least seven years old and children must be accompanied by an adult. All participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Interested participants may pre-register by calling 7-3341 or email Lloyd Wescoat at lwescoat@mtu.edu. Space will be available for on-site participants. For more information about the event contact lead organizer, Don Kilpela, Captain of the Isle Royale Queen, at 289-4735.

Michigan Tech Wins Awards for Diversity Efforts in Engineering Education

Published July 14, 2016

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Michigan Tech’s efforts to increase the numbers and diversity of women in engineering have been recognized by Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN), a national network of women engineers, engineering educators, universities, corporations and non-profits who are working together to develop a diverse and innovative engineering workforce.

Michigan Tech’s Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics received the WEPAN President’s Award for what the organization described as “outstanding accomplishments” in the National Science Foundation-funded engineering diversity initiative, TECAID (Transforming Engineering Culture to Advance Inclusion and Diversity).

In addition, WEPAN recognized the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), which won the WEPAN Strategic Partner Award. ASEE was honored for its “Year of Action on Diversity,” a project conceived and designed by the ASEE Diversity Committee, led by Adrienne Minerick and Teri Reed. Minerick is associate dean for research and innovation in the College of Engineering and a professor of chemical engineering at Michigan Tech. Reed is assistant vice president for research at the University of Cincinnati.

“These awards are a testament to the dedication, heart and trailblazing work our faculty and staff are doing to increase knowledge and awareness of the value of diversity and to cultivate environments that are inclusive of all individuals,” said Minerick. “These activities expand and strengthen the perspectives and education of all of our students such that they can engineer to present and future world demands and lead in a complex and changing society.”

President Glenn Mroz called the awards “a real honor for Mechanical Engineering and the entire university. We’ve been clear that it’s the responsibility of everyone at Michigan Tech to serve all students, regardless of gender or race, to have an impact on our world. This national recognition serves as evidence that people are taking that seriously, and it’s being noticed at the highest levels of our professions. The leadership that this team of people has shown is truly inspiring.”

Design a Sustainable Future Teacher Institute

Published July 14, 2016

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A total of eight elementary, middle and high school teachers from the UP, across Michigan and even one from Puerto Rico, are in Houghton this week to attend a five-day teacher institute on designing a sustainable future.

Topics range from building design, energy sources, transportation, vehicle design, food systems, product lifecycle and forest biomaterials.

Presenters include Michigan Tech faculty, community experts and educators. Teachers are participating in many hands-on activities including field trips to the Keweenaw Research Center, Low-impact development lab, sustainable buildings, examination of renewable energy systems including solar, wind and low-head Hydro and a community-supported agriculture farm near Greenland.

The Program is funded with a grant from Michigan Tech Sustainable Futures Institute and coordinated by the Michigan Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach at the Great Lakes Research Center.

For more information, contact Joan Chadde at 369-1121 or by email.

From Tech Today, by Joan Chadde.

Category: Outreach