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Accreditation News
Educational Activities News Briefs
Media Relations Contact:
Marilyn Catis, mg.catis@ieee.org +1 732 562 5323
Latest Foundation Grants Impact Public Awareness of Engineering and Technology Education
15 July 2005 - - At its June 2005 meeting, the IEEE Foundation Board of Directors awarded four new grants totaling US$73,254. These grants will inform millions of people about key engineering advances vital to modern life; offer hands-on experience for children to learn about the cause and effect of science and technology; create a place for pre-college teachers in the United States to get help with innovative technology oriented activities; and spread the word about the value of IEEE to students throughout Brazil.
To learn more about these and other grants awarded by the IEEE Foundation visit www.ieee.org/foundation/html/2005grants.html.
Film on Nuclear Fusion Wins Prize
14 July 2005 - - A video project outlining the benefits of nuclear fusion power won a student-teacher team from Washington High School in Pensacola, Fla. the VINNY 2005 Grand Prize. The winning team, Carrie Hunter and Denley Messerly, both high school seniors, Jarryd Thompson, a high school junior, and Susan B Hunter, a Washington High School teacher took top prize at the Awards Show which was webcast live on 31 May 2005.
Named after Leonardo da Vinci, VINNY is a worldwide competition for pre-university students in which teams composed of three students and one teacher produce a one-minute video that explains how science, technology, engineering and or mathematics can help solve or is helping to solve a global problem. The IEEE, NASA's Center for Distance Learning at Langley Research Center in Virginia, and Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va. sponsor the contest. The IEEE Foundation provided partial funding for the prize.
The video from the Washington High School team highlights nuclear fusion power as an alternative energy source and explains how it differs from current nuclear reactors, the benefits of the energy source, and what is being done to develop this technology. One reason the group selected nuclear fusion power for its video is because Hunter has been doing research on the technology for several years and last year gave a talk on the topic at a Florida state science fair.
"The VINNY competition is one of a very small number of contests that are open to high school students who want to make films," Hunter says. "The contest gave me an opportunity to practice researching, script writing, filming, and editing."
EAB Seeks Industry Professionals to Serve as Program Evaluators for Accreditation Activities
29 June 2005 - - The IEEE Educational Activities Board (EAB) seeks qualified professionals from industry, government and academic sectors to serve as Program Evaluators to assist in accrediting Engineering and Engineering Technology Programs at USA colleges for the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) and the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of ABET, Inc., (the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.)
Service as a program evaluator provides the opportunity for members of the profession to contribute to the achievement of high quality educational standards of engineering and engineering technology programs.
IEEE evaluator candidates are required for the following ABET-accredited programs:
- Computer Engineering and Computer Engineering Technology
- Electrical Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology
- Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Information Engineering Technology
- Telecommunications Engineering Technology
Participation in the accreditation process by industry professionalswill ensure that the requirements of industry are addressed.
Applications are due to the IEEE Accreditation Administrator by 15 November 2005 for the 2006-2007 academic year. Applications are reviewed during the February 2006 IEEE meetings. Accepted or declined notification will be sent to the applicants by 1 March 2006.
Nomination and Application forms are available at:http://www.ieee.org/portal/pages/education/apc/ceaa/eacinfo.html
for people interested in engineering and http://www.ieee.org/portal/pages/education/apc/ctaa/tacinfo.html for those interested in engineering technology.
To submit nominations and applications or request information contact Carolyn Solimine at +1 732 562-5484 or c.solimine@ieee.org or Mailto:eab-accred@ieee.org.
IEEE Presidents' Scholarship Fund Established
24 June 2005 - - The IEEE Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the IEEE Presidents' Scholarship Fund to accept contributions to support the largest pre-university scholarship offered by the IEEE. The IEEE Presidents' Scholarship recognizes a deserving student for an outstanding project in electrical engineering, information technology or other IEEE field of interest. The scholarship is presented during the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
Administered by IEEE Educational Activities, with assistance from IEEE volunteers who serve as the judges during the ISEF, this scholarship includes US$10,000 payable over four years, complimentary IEEE Student and Student Society memberships, a framed certificate, and an engraved plaque.
Contributions made to the IEEE Presidents' Scholarship will provide the financial resources students need to pursue their engineering dreams. Checks may be made payable to the IEEE Foundation - IEEE Presidents' Scholarship Fund and mailed to the IEEE Foundation, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. Credit card gifts may be made by sending an email to supportieee@ieee.org. To discuss alternative giving methods, please call the IEEE Development Office at +1 732.562.3860.
2005 IEEE Presidents' Scholarship Awarded for Motion Picture Camera Device
31 May 2005 - - The 2005 IEEE Presidents' Scholarship was awarded to Adam Daniel Sidman, a 17 year old junior at Palmer High School in Colorado Springs at the 56th Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) held 8 to 14 May in Phoenix. The purpose of his project, "Camera Stabilization: Take Two", was to design, build, and optimize a low cost, compact gyro-based servo stabilization device for a professional handheld motion picture camera. Further details on Adam and his project can be found at /portal/cms_docs_iportals/iportals/education/precollege/scholarship/index.html.
Expert Now IEEE (formerly known as IEEE XELL) Gains Societies' Support
25 May 2005 - - Expert Now IEEE (formerly known as IEEE XELL) is a new, innovative product line being developed by IEEE Educational Activities (EAB) in collaboration with Societies and Councils to produce interactive, on-line educational modules. Topics for these modules come from the tutorials offered at IEEE Conferences and they are being presented by the actual "experts" themselves. These modules are designed in a way that makes them very accessible to most members and can help meet their Continuing Education needs.
Through 2005, Expert Now IEEE development is being supported by IEEE New Initiative funding and EAB budget contributions. In 2006 and onward, the IEEE Technical Societies and Councils will allocate funds in their budgets for the continued development of Expert Now IEEE modules. At the same time, Societies and Councils will receive the full net distribution from the sales of Expert Now IEEE to corporations, government and academia.
As of June 1, EAB has received preliminary commitments from 13 Societies (in addition to possibly funding from IEEE GOLD for two modules) resulting in the allocation of approximately $440,000 for developing modules in 2006. We are well within reach of our target of $600K which is needed to produce 30 modules at $20K a piece. The overwhelming support (both financially and in contributions of content) provided by the Societies helps to demonstrate the importance of this project to IEEE and its members and customers.
We are looking forward to receiving confirmation from other Societies regarding their participation in the project. IEEE and the Thomson Corporation are currently working as partners on a strategy to market and sell the product worldwide. For more information on Expert Now IEEE and how it relates to the Societies and Councils, please visit www.ieee.org/education/xell/society.html or contact Tara Gallus at 732.562.5499, t.gallus@ieee.org or Marilyn Catis at 732.562.5323, mg.catis@ieee.org.
Call For Nominations - IEEE Representative Directors on the ABET Board of Directors - - Deadline: 1 May 2005
8 February 2005 - - The IEEE Educational Activities Board (EAB) is seeking candidates for two positions of IEEE representatives on the ABET Board of Directors (IEEE Policy 3.4).
EAB has established a nominating committee comprised of Mario Gonzalez (Chair), Mark Karol, R. Michael Lockerd, J. David Irwin, Barry Shoop, and Moshe Kam (ex-officio non-voting member).
The committee seeks candidates to fill the following two positions.
Position 1: IEEE Representative to ABET - Two-year term to begin November 2005 and conclude November 2007: This representative is to complete the term of current IEEE Representative Director William S. Clark who was elected on 19 March by the ABET Board to serve as ABET President-Elect 2006.
The committee seeks candidates for this position from industry, government and academia, with preference to candidates with substantial experience or involvement in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology education.
The successful candidate for position 1 will be eligible to be elected for a full three-year term on the ABET Board of Directors at the conclusion of his/her two-year term.
Position 2: IEEE Representative to ABET - Three-year term to begin November 2006 and conclude November 2009: This representative is to fill the vacancy that will occur when IEEE Representative Director Dr. Edward A. Parrish completes his term in November 2006.
The committee seeks candidates for this position from industry, government and academia with preference to candidates with substantial experience or involvement in Electrical and Computer Engineering education.
The successful candidate for position 2 will be eligible to be elected for a second full three-year term on the ABET Board of Directors at the conclusion of his/her first three-year term.
Qualifications: IEEE seeks individuals from industry, government and academia, who have had substantial experience or involvement in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Education (position 1) or Electrical and Computer Engineering (position 2). Experience as an active volunteer of IEEE and/or as a volunteer for ABET is highly desirable. We are looking for active individuals with strong leadership potential who will participate energetically in ABET committee work and keep strong ties to the IEEE and the EAB while serving on the Board of Directors of ABET. In addition to serving on the ABET Board of Directors, the selected Directors will be asked to participate from time to time in meetings of IEEE's accreditation committees and the IEEE Educational Activities Board.
Nomination Information: Nominations should include the candidate's name and current position; contact information for nominee and nominator; a two-page biographical sketch (including positions and activities as IEEE/ABET volunteer); and a short statement that the candidate has agreed to serve if elected. Self nominations are welcome as well as nominations of candidates from underrepresented groups.
Inquiries and Nominations: Please send nominations and direct inquiries to
eab-abetrepnom-2005@ieee.org.
Deadline: The deadline for all nominations is 1 May 2005. The final decision on the elected Directors will be made by the IEEE Board of Directors, based on recommendations of the EAB, by the end of June 2005.
13 January 2005 - - Nominate that teacher you've admired, best known for their ability to inspire an appreciation for and understanding of mathematics, science and technology and the engineering process in students. The IEEE Educational Activities Board is currently accepting nominations for the 2005 Pre-College Educator Award. The award is given to teachers that foster students' interest in and encourage students to pursue careers in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering. The deadline for nominations is 30 April 2005. The winning teacher receives $1,000 US and a brass and walnut plaque.
Each candidate must be nominated by one of the 304 IEEE Sections. To date, IEEE has awarded teachers from sections within Regions 8, 3, 2, and 1. Endeavors from past recipients have included developing a three-year engineering high school curriculum, in areas such as aerospace, satellite communication, and computer technology; use of hands-on experiments in physics to generate student interest and enthusiasm; and 30 years of dedicated science and technology teaching in addition to assisting in a pre-engineering/pre-science university's course of study.
The recipients of the 2004 Pre-College Educator Award were Mark D. Conner, an engineer who teaches at Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama USA, and Rebekah Gendron, a technology educator at Riverside Middle School in East Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Not only has Connor developed two high school engineering courses, but he is also an instructor for the Infinity Project, a program that familiarizes children with engineering and is sponsored by the Southern Methodist University School of Engineering and Texas Instruments. Gendron uses robotics as an integral part of teaching technology, and has orchestrated the first Rhode Island Robotics/FIRST Lego League statewide competition for middle school students.
Teachers are a critical factor in upholding and increasing technological literacy and comprehension in our society. Through teachers the knowledge of mathematics, science, technology and engineering is brought into the classroom, allowing students to study and better understand these disciplines. The IEEE Pre-College Educator Award is a way to applaud dedicated teachers for their efforts. This will be the fifth annual presentation of the award to a member of the pre-college education teaching community.
For further information on the IEEE Pre-College Educator Award or for instructions on how to submit a nomination, go to http://www.ieee.org/organizations/eab/EABAwards/awardprecollege-2004.htm.
Register Now for VINNY Competition
11January 2005 - - Named after Leonardo da Vinci, VINNY is an award given to students in grades K-12 for the best one-minute videos explaining how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) can help solve common global problems. VINNY is a worldwide video competition designed to build awareness of STEM. Teams of three students and one teacher will identify and research a global problem and discover ways that STEM can help solve it. The teams will create a one-minute video explaining the global problem and a possible STEM solution. There are three levels of competition: grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The award is given in both English and Spanish, for a total of six categories and prizes.
The VINNY website is available at http://vinny.pcs.cnu.edu. The deadline for registration is 15 Feburary 2005. VINNY is proudly sponsored by the NASA Center for Distance Learning, Christopher Newport University, and the IEEE. Funding for the project is provided by the IEEE Foundation.
Call for 2005 EAB Award Nominations
5 January 2005 - - The IEEE Educational Activities Board is accepting nominations of IEEE members for its annual awards. The deadline for nominations is 30 April 2005. Awards include: IEEE EAB Meritorious Achievement Award in Accreditation Activities; IEEE EAB Meritorious Achievement Award in Continuing Education; IEEE EAB Major Educational Innovation Award; IEEE EAB Pre-College Educator Award; IEEE EAB Meritorious Service Citation; IEEE EAB Employer Professional Development Award; and for the first time in 2005, the IEEE EAB Society/Council Professional Development Award. This award offered in odd-numbered years will alternate with the Section Professional Development Award which is offered in even-numbered years.
For award descriptions, honorarium details, and nominations packets, visit http://www.ieee.org/organizations/eab/EABAwards/callnominations-2005.htm For more information, contact: Rae Toscano, Manager +1 732 562 5482; Karen Kleinschmidt, Administrator, +1 732 562 5493; Email: eab-awards@ieee.
IEEE SETF - Incorporating Standards into Undergraduate Programs
3 January 2005 - - Volunteers from the IEEE Educational Activities Board and Standards Association have come together to form the IEEE Standards in Education Task Force (SETF). The goal of SETF is to help electrical and computer engineering undergraduate programs incorporate standards into their learning process. A grant from the IEEE Foundation supported a needs survey and the development of "proof of concept" learning products during 2004 and 2005. Challenges to the introduction of standards into the undergraduate learning process were identified through the survery, namely: (1) the scarcity of learning supplements to classroom instruction that would impart essential knowledge about standards and (2) the cost of access to appropriate standards.
Survey respondents encouraged the creation of web-based tutorials on case illustrations using standards and a reference guide to standards, many of which are currently being developed by the SETF. These web-based learning products will be pilot tested at two academic institutions in 2005. After refinements, the web site will be made available on an open-access basis. More information about this project will be announced in the coming months. Contact Tara Gallus at t.gallus@ieee.org for details.
New Foundation Grants Support Education Programs
3 January 2005- - At its November meeting, the IEEE Foundation awarded two new education grants totaling US$50,000. One will provide resources to the IEEE's grassroots leaders at Sections Congress 2005; the other will work through the global scouting movement to improve the technological literacy of boys and girls around the world. For more information on the IEEE and the Scouting Movement go to www.emeritbadges.org.
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