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July 13, 2009 --- The main hallway at Fisher was a nucleus of student recruitment last Thursday. Nearly one hundred high school students visited with folks from fourteen academic departments to learn about what Tech has to offer them.
The students represented two summer programs: Explorations in Engineering (EIE) and the Detroit Area Precollege Engineering Program.
"These are bright and intelligent students," said Cody Kangas, coordinator of Youth Programs. The application process was rigorous, he added. "It wasn't like they could just walk in. They had to work to get here."
Faculty and staff, outfitted with posters and brochures, collected contact information to follow up with and said that the students typically wanted details about degrees, curricula, and what kind of jobs are available.
Steve Patchin, director of Youth Programs, organized this doings, the second of two; last week, students in the Women in Engineering program were offered the same opportunity.
In past years, Patchin said, there was a small, roundtable event focusing just on engineering and involving just a handful of faculty and staff. This more-ambitious operation is the first to involve departments other than engineering; and it's a broader, bigger, and more-accessible forum. Sarah Green (Chemistry), then, was there trying to "lure some students from engineering to the sciences." Her message: "If you want to study science, chemistry is a good place to start."
Patchin plans to ramp up the program even more next year. It's a good chance to reach a captive audience, he says.
One of those was Jaron Sawyer, 17, a senior from Wyoming, Mich., who wants to study mechanical engineering, particularly robotics. "Everything about robotics intrigues me," he said. "I will probably come to Tech. It's got everything. It's small but big."
Alyssa Keagle, 16, of Jackson, earned a scholarship to attend EIE--"the only girl in Jackson to get one." She wants to study materials. She works ten hours a week at an energy company in Jackson, and Tech alumni there encouraged her to attend EIE. "They really praised this," she says. The cozy campus and the EIE program were worth "the long ride up," she added.
Brad Wagner, coordinator of academic services in the SBE, was there to show off the business program. The event, he said, "is a good idea"--both practical and promising. "And it's fun to meet the young people."
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July 22, 2009 --- Youth Programs' weeklong Explorations in Engineering (EIE) concluded July 10, and during the week, 94 students explored the entire spectrum of engineering programs at Tech.
Participants took part in group engineering projects that included in part digital logic, the building blocks of computers, a laser audio transmitter, and computer-aided design, among others. Participants also learned about landslides and volcanoes, blacksmithing, renewable energy, and composite materials.
Practicing engineers from Alcoa, Parker-Hannifin, CMS Energy, Barton Marlow, and Motorola talked to the students about their careers.
One highlight of the week was an aptitude survey, which Jeff Kangas, of the Career Center, helped the students interpret, providing them with a glimpse of where their interests lie.
Each day, faculty presented a one-hour "Special Topic Showcase" about research in nanotechnology (Professor John Jaszczak), wind turbines (Associate Professor John Irwin), nano application (Associate Professor Ranjit Pati), exercise science (Chair Jason Carter) and polarizing light (Professor Miguel Levy).
The 2009 EIE participants heralded from ten states and Saudi Arabia. They had this to say about the program:
"This class especially helped me realize how much I love electrical engineering and that’s what I want to do"--Dyami, Kalamazoo.
"My favorite part of the week was taking the nature walk, where I learned more about environmental engineering. It was very different and wowing. I learned that engineering has many different forms and that it’s not all about mechanics"--Taylor, Detroit.
"Many teenagers, including me, don’t really have an idea about what they would enjoy doing. Choosing a major is a MAJOR thing to be careful with"--Mayada, Saudi Arabia.
“I learned that no matter where I go, with an engineering degree I have many opportunities"--Alyssa, Jackson.
"My favorite part of the week was building a 15-inch tower out of wood and then putting it on an earthquake simulator. I learned that using triangles when building makes structures stronger"--Jacob, Maple Grove, Minn.
"I leave with a greater grasp on my future and a lot more confidence in myself as a future engineer"-- Chad, LaGrange, Ga.
Steve Patchin, director of Youth Programs, thanks the many people--including academic personnel, residence life staff and other support units--for making Explorations in Engineering "exciting, dynamic, and, in many cases, a life-changing experience for our talented young guests. You help make their first impression of Michigan Tech a lasting one." |
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