The Women in Engineering Program Director works with engineering students to create interactive demonstrations that emulate the engineering process for boys and girls in grade, middle, and high school. Presentations are normally 50-60 minutes. However, we have participated in 15 and 30-minute presentations and also 90-minute presentations. These types of presentations are conducive to individual classroom environments such as mathematics, chemistry or physics as well as Career Fairs. The first 15-20 minutes of the presentation involves a brief discussion teaching the students about the engineering profession and/or college.

The remaining portion of the time involves the students working in groups to complete a small design project. A typical small design project involves giving the students a project with some objectives, constraints and a budget. The students must work together, brainstorm, and create a design that meets the listed criteria. The design projects can be altered to accommodate d ifferent age groups.

These outreach projects can also be used with teachers, parents of aspiring engineers, and those that are interested in creative group problem solving. We have participated in teacher conferences and parents have also participated in these design projects during events held on campus.

There is no cost to the host to bring the outreach program to your school or event. However, we prefer to give two-three presentations or more, particularly when long distance traveli ng is involved. In addition, if presentation(s) occur(s) in and around lunchtime, we usually do not turn down the opportunity to meet more students, teachers, and parents and would gratefully accept an invitation to lunch.

If you would like to arrange an outreach visit, contact Ms. Tammy Salmon-Stephens or call (608) 342-1563.