Stocking the Engineering Pipeline Development of Future Engineers Using

NSPE Supported Programs

Leanne H. Panduren, P.E., F.NSPE NSPE National Treasurer

STEM Education

Pipeline—Is there a shortage?

• Fewer top U.S. students are pursuing STEM degrees;

• Aging workforce and retirement; and

• Global competition is threatening U.S. dominance in engineering & science.

However…

• In 2008, there were more students enrolled in U.S. science and engineering (S&E) graduate programs than in the previous year.

• Between 2007 and 2008, first-time, full-time enrollments for science and engineering graduate students increased 7.8%.

• In 2009, a record number of students graduated with engineering master's degrees and 23% were earned by women, tying the record set in 2008 (p. 4 May PE).

• The call for increased focus on STEM disciplines has resulted in more K–12 education programs and partnerships with higher education institutions and private companies.

Remember…

“Few (professions) have such a direct and positive effect on

people’s everyday lives. We are counting on engineers and their imaginations to help us meet the

needs of the 21st century.”

July 2008 NAE Report—Position Statement

The NSPE Family

National Engineers Week

E-Week—List of Programs

• Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day

• Family Day at the Nat’l Building Museum

• New Faces of Engineering

• Global Marathon By, For, & About Women in Engineering

• Future City Competition

E-Week Family Day

E-Week Family Day

Future City National FinalsFebruary 13–16, 2010

1st Place—North Carolina; 2nd Place—New Jersey;

3rd Place—Nevada (Northern)

Future City National FinalsFebruary 13–16, 2010

• 117 students from all 39 regions

• 51% female• Over 400 family &

friends registered

Future City Teams Call the Space Shuttle

Future City Teams in the Oval Office

MATHCOUNTS

MATHCOUNTS

MATHCOUNTS National Champion, Mark Sellke, on Live with Regis & Kelly

Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) —National Engineering Design Challenge

Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS)

Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) —TEAMS Competition

• Assess the effectiveness of ceramic pot filters developed by geological, environmental, and ceramic engineers in disinfecting water;

• Analyze and create processes, known as desalination, that remove salt and other impurities from otherwise undrinkable water sources;

• Produce Ultrapure Water (UPW), which is essential for industries such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and electric power generation; and

• Design technologies that deal with the detrimental effects that land development projects have on communities’ watersheds.

Cora Kelly Engineering Club

Cora Kelly—Grant

• In March 2010, NSPE partnered with the Alexandria City Public School system and the Virginia Department of Transportation on a grant application to expand the Cora Kelly Engineering Club.

• The $150,000 grant is offered through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

• Grant funds would be used to expand the club from its current 20 kids to over 100, while paying for all supplies and costs associated with the club.

USA Science & Engineering Festival

Festival Dates: October 10–24, 2010Expo on the National Mall: October 23 & 24, 2010

USA Science & Engineering Festival—Satellite Events

• Satellite events will be hosted around the country in conjunction with the Expo in Washington, D.C.

• Great way to get your society, company, or child’s school involved in a national event!

• Current cities where events are taking place:

Visit www.usasciencefestival.org for more info!

Legislative Outreach

• Met with White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as part of a group including reps from 20 engineering and science organizations to provide input on ideas for public-private initiatives to advance STEM education.

• Met with Senator Ted Kaufman, a mechanical engineer, to discuss STEM education initiatives. Kaufman has written several impassioned op-eds about the critical role of engineering in America’s future.

Legislative—E2 for Innovation

• Endorsed the introduction of the Engineering Education (E2) for Innovation Act (H.R. 4709 and S. 3043) by Sen. Kaufman.

• The legislation would improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in K–12 schools by creating competitive grant programs to fund the implementation of engineering curricula to increase student achievement and interest in the engineering field.

Legislative—Diversity in STEM

• Along with the Society of Women Engineers, NSPE cosponsored an event on Capitol Hill, called “Diversity and Inclusion Fuels Innovation in STEM.”

• The grassroots event, March 23–24, included a congressional reception and the opportunity to meet with legislators to discuss diversity in STEM fields.

• President Sam Grossman, P.E., F.NSPE, and Vice President Chris Stone, P.E., F.NSPE, were among the NSPE attendees.

Local Highlights

• Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers• Engineers Week Awards Banquet• Silent auction to benefit scholarship program and

MATHCOUNTS enrichment program

Local Highlights

• Ohio Society of Professional Engineers• Works with affiliate, the Engineers Foundation of

Ohio, which focuses its efforts on elementary, middle school, and high school students’ math and science proficiency.

• ImagineEngineering 2nd grade coloring contest;• MATHCOUNTS for 6th–8th graders;• Scholarships for students pursuing an engineering

career; and• Engineer as Leader seminars.

Get involved!

Outreach opportunities• Visiting a classroom• Participating in an extracurricular

or community activity• Hosting a Design Squad event• Introducing a Girl to Engineering • Helping out with National or a

local Family Day

Get Involved!

More outreach opportunities• Attending or presenting at a Career

Fair; and• Volunteering with organizations

such as the following: • Future City, • MATHCOUNTS, • JETS, • robotics competitions, • other design or engineering

related competitions.

Filling the pipeline…

• Let’s make a difference!

• Let’s reach out to youngsters!

• Let’s promote STEM education!

• Let’s show the world how amazing engineering can be!

For more information on NSPE outreach or materials:

• Visit www.nspe.org for links and contacts to all of these partner sites.

• Contact Stacey Ober at 703-684-2815 or sober@nspe.org for materials, program contact referrals, or advice on planning your own outreach activity/event.