Grants Awarded through the IEEE Life Members Fund

Teacher In-Service Workshop - North Texas (June 2009)
US$1,000 to the IEEE Fort Worth Section. These funds will support a 2nd Teacher In-Service Workshop in North Texas. The workshop focuses on increasing the ability of teachers/educators to instruct science/technology/engineering/math (STEM) in K-12, building on the materials at tryengineering.org.

Girls Discover…Engineering (June 2009)
US$15,272 to the Franklin County Historical Society DBA COSI in Columbus, OH.  This day long program (7 November 2009), brings together 315 middle school girls, women engineers, and student mentors from Ohio State University’s (OSU) Women in Engineering program. Together, participants explore how engineering impacts every aspect of our lives and how women experience engineering as a successful and rewarding profession.

Middle School Electron Microscope (SEM) Project (June 2009)
US$1,000 to the IEEE Montana Section Life Members Affinity Group.  This grant supports the development and execution of a Middle School Science Class unit that introduces nanotechnology, metric measurement, scientific notation, and hands on Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) lab work.  Providing students exposure to working labs and conducting research is key in shaping their self perception as a future scientist/engineer. As part of the unit, an "Engineering Awareness" presentation (30 minutes) will be made to each class involved, delivered by a Life Member and previously developed as part of Group outreach.

Film Promoting the Field of Electrical Engineering (June 2009)
US$10,000 to the National Electronics Museum.  This funding will support the creation of a 10-12 minute film focusing on the electronic creations of scientists and engineers. Combining archival footage, photographs, and objects from the museum with interviews of active and retired engineers, the film will explore electronic engineering. The audience will learn about the design challenges and personal inspirations that motivated the engineers as well as the dramatic impact their work has had on our lives. It will be used as a tool to interest students in engineering and intrigue the public.

Student Members Engaged in Pre-University Outreach (June 2009)
US$15,000 to IEEE Educational Activities. The Student Branch Engagement project will develop Student members as leaders of Pre-University outreach activities which enhance the teaching of engineering, science, technology, and mathematics in Pre-University schools in Region 9. Following the model of the Teacher In-Service Program training workshops, the Student members will learn how to develop programs in their local communities that will enhance professional development programs for Pre-University educators.

IEEE/EESTEC Robotics Workshop (March 2009)
US$4,523 to support a Robotics workshop organized by IEEE Student Branches and ESTEC (Electrical Engineering Students' European Association).

IEEE Student Branch iPhone GPS Robot (March 2009)
US$4,000 to the Wentworth Institute of Technology Student Branch to develop a robot that has capabilities that could be extended for security, investigation, and protection purposes. The robot will be controlled by an iPhone’s accelerometer.

Improved Historical Record of the Magnetron (March 2009)
US$12,000 in support of a two day international conference on the evolution of the Magnetron, to be held in April 2010. The goal of the conference includes the creation of an up-to-date archival historical record of the origins of the Magnetron and subsequent developments.  The funding provided by the Life Members Fund will enable the invitation of invited speakers and assist in support of student attendance. 

Earthzine - IEEE's Voice of Sustainability (March 2009)
US$22,100 to support IEEE’s Earthzine, an internet-based Webzine focused on the societal benefits of Earth information.  Earthzine focuses on and benefits the general public by informing on engineering contributions to society in a practical, day-to-day way.  This proposal is to develop a sustainable funding model for Earthzine through expanding Earthzine readership. 

Annually, the IEEE Life Members Committee has provide funding in support of the following awards/programs:

IEEE Donald G. Fink Prize Paper Award
For the most outstanding survey, review, or tutorial paper published in IEEE Transactions, Journals, Magazines, or in the Proceedings of the IEEE.

Graduate Fellowship Program in the History of Electrical Engineering
To encourage graduate students to pursue their studies in the history of electrical engineering.

Student Prize Paper Contest
Recognizes the student authors in Region contests for their outstanding work. Each Region conducts its own contest.

Life Members Prize in Electrical History
Awarded to the author or authors of the best article published in the previous year on the history of electro technology and its practitioners.

Life Members Newsletter
Published twice annually, it is a forum to present ideas and determine the services desired by the Life members.  Besides Life members, it is distributed to retired members between the ages of 62 to 64 and all members 65 years of age and older. 

Life Members Committee Graduate Fellowship in Electrical Engineering
Awarded annually for full-time graduate work in any area of electrical engineering at an engineering school of recognized standing worldwide.