Thursday, November 28, 2019

STEM Programs Create Engineers of the Future

STEM Programs Create Engineers of the Future STEM Programs Create Engineers of the Future Finding top talent has always been a challenge in the engineering field, especially now at a time when many in the media say high school students seem to be showing less interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).To meet the professional needs of STEM-related, high-growth industries, federal and state governments, as well as the private sector, are becoming more active in supporting STEM training programs for K-12 students. For example, Utah is funding a $10-million STEM Action Center, which will be a hub of collaboration for communities, industries, higher education, and public education, says Carol George, Utahs state science advisor. The goal is to produce a college-educated STEM workforce that can meet the needs of ur growing high-tech industries.In the private sector, General Motors is working with the state of Michigan to support STEM programs. GM has agreed to he lp fund Project Lead the Way, a leading nonprofit provider of STEM curriculum for middle and high schools. These curses make engineering relevant by applying STEM principles in real-world contexts, which help students develop critical thinking skills.To ensure ourleadership in the automotive industry, we need to always look for opportunities to strengthen our involvement with science and math education programs, says John Calabrese, GM vice president of globalvehicle engineering. It is essential that the next generation of professionals has the skills and education necessary to compete on a global platform, particularly as it pertains to STEM-related fields.About 2,600 students have participated in Camp Badger since its inception. Image UW-MadisonPrivate-Sector LeadershipDavid E. Cole is chairman emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor and former engineering professor at the University of Michigan. One of his passions is working with Building Americas Tomorrow, a new nonprofit whose mission is to develop K-12 STEM talent for the manufacturing industry.Kids dont have manufacturing on their radar screen, he says. We have failed to get the message to young people about where the opportunities are in manufacturing. Part of our focus will be on video presentations that show what making things is all about. The Society of Automotive Engineers A World of Motion curriculum, for instance, is fantastic. We want to see these things presented in the classroom.In Colorado, CH2M Hill is working with Denver schools to support SEEKthe Summer Engineering Experience for Kids. The program was originally started by the National Society of Black Engineers in 2007 to bring more African Americans into STEM fields. According to the Economics and Statistics Administration, African-Americans and Hispanics each accounted for about 6 percent of Americans employed in STEM fields in 2011.All of us see the shortfall and we feel the responsibility and the need to bridge t his gap, says Karen Nakandakare, diversity program manager at CH2M Hill, the primary sponsor of the SEEK program in Denver.Universities and K-12Academic institutions are also ramping up STEM programs across the country.We really need a society that has a better understanding of the grand challenges facing us and how engineering and science will be needed to find solutions, says Philip R. OLeary, engineering professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I want students with STEM knowledge to advance into positions of leadership where they can use their scientific background and problem-solving skills to address the challenges associated with water, food, energy, health, and beyond.To help with this goal, UW-Madisons College of Engineering launched Camp Badger Exploring Engineering in 1998. The program helps younger students understand engineering through hands-on experiences like field trips to a multi-story construction site, sports stadium, fusion reactor, biomedical engineerin g research lab, bicycle manufacturing plant, and electric power plant. About 2,600 students have participated in Camp Badger since its inception.We have built connections to labs on the UW-Madison campus, Madison-area companies, and local governmental agencies that provide fantastic hands-on experiences, tours, and demonstrations, says OLeary. Engineers can discuss with the students how they do their work and what it means to be an engineer.Making a DifferenceEngineering firms can provide opportunities for students to talk with engineers. One of our favorite Camp Badger activities is a bus trip to a local industrial design firm where the students learn about making cool new products, says OLeary. Every town that has both a school and a population of engineers will have plenty of things to see and do that will help students better understand STEM and its impact on the world. Professional engineers can also help out with school engineering clubs or provide financial support for the ST EM enrichment that many schools struggle to pay for. At the policy level, schools need participation by engineering leaders, adds OLeary. Not many school boards have engineers as members.Mark Crawford is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionWe really need a society that has a better understanding of the grand challenges facing us and how engineering and science will be needed to find solutions.Prof. Philip R. OLeary, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Saturday, November 23, 2019

How to stop networking from making you feel like a tired zombie

How to stop networking from making you feel like a tired zombieHow to stop networking from making you feel like a tired zombieNetworking events can require a ton of preparation, but the other half of the battle is staying energized once you get there. Here are four ways to do so.Give yourself a breakJordana Valencia, Executive Director of Reach Labs and People Development Lead atIdeaSpace, writes in the Harvard Business Review about how entrepreneurs should use microbreaks to reenergize during networking events.Research shows thatmicrobreaks, or nonwork periods of less than 10 minutes in duration, can help replenish a persons energy resources so that theyre able to continue their work tasks. A one-minute break can be just as effective as taking a longer break of five or nine minutes This makes microbreaks ideal for busy entrepreneurs, she writes. To have a reenergizing microbreak, founders should engage in an activity they enjoy that allows them to mentally detach from their networki ng tasks. A microbreak activity could be as simple as watching a funny video on YouTube or reading an engaging article ontheir phone. Whats important is that founders fully disengage from networking while they do the activity. To effectively disengage, try excusing yourself for a few minutes so that you can step away fromthenetworking event.Dont over-extend yourselfKara J. Andersen, an education content specialist at ActiveCampaign, writes in The Muse about how introverts can stay energized in different scenarios. One of her tips is to schedule smart.If you consider the kind of work you do throughout the day, you might find that it falls into two categories work that requires some human interaction and thus a more dynamic presence, and work you can do independently that doesnt exhaust the same energy reserves. When possible, schedule these tasks around when youre typically feeling most and least energetic during the day, she writes. Its probably also helpful to set a limit for yours elf. Maybe you want to commit to no more than three social engagements per week. Or, if youre pitching a new idea to your team on Friday morning, schedule plenty of alone time for Thursday evening. Along those same lines, if you have a big event after work, aim for more low-key desk work that afternoon. Give yourself a gunst der stunde to summon your strength and prepare for battle whenever possible.Have comfortable shoes with youLadies, whether theyre already on your feet or in your bag, youre going to want to have comfortable shoes nearby.This doesnt mean you have to ditch the professional heels that make you feel most powerful- just make sure that if theyre uncomfortable after a while, youre never too far away from another option that will give your toes a rest.But the same thing goes for everyone else dont struggle through networking events in uncomfortable kicks if you dont have to.Eat and drink upDont even think about skipping breakfast and/or lunch this will probably make it a whole lot harder for you to be your best in the company of others.If you dont eat and hydrate you wont have enough energy to make valuable connections.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

American consumers are the most confident since 2007

American consumers are the most confident since 2007American consumers are the most confident since 2007American consumers are the most confident since 2007On Tuesday, September 27 theConference hauptplatine Consumer Confidence Index was releasedbased on data collected through September 15. The headline number of 104.1 was an increase from the final reading of 101.8 for August, an upward rechnungsprfung from 101.1. This is the highest since August 2007 and reflects more optimism about the economy since the summer of 2007. Economists expected the Consumer Confidence Index to hit 99.0 in September.Consumer confidence increased in September for a second consecutive month and is now at its highest level since the recession, said Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. Consumers assessment of present-day conditions improved, primarily the result of a more positive view of the labor market. Looking ahead, consumers are more upbeat about the short-term employme nt outlook, but somewhat neutral about business conditions and income prospects. Overall, consumers continue to rate current conditions favorably and foresee moderate economic expansion in the months ahead.A larger share, 27.9 percent of those surveyed, felt that jobs were plentiful in September, up from 26.8 percent in the prior month. Those claiming jobs were hard to get declined to 21.6 percent, from 22.8 percent, The Conference Board said.The improved outlook reflects a healthier job market.The unemployment rate is 4.9%, less than half its peak of 10% during the recession. Millions of people have found jobs in the past several years and consumers are more upbeat about employment conditions.Consumer confidence for October 2016 was released on Tuesday, October 25, 2016. For the latest trend view the United States Consumer Confidence updated each month.Consumer confidence is a key measure of consumers attitudes. The survey, a closely followed barometer of consumer attitudes, measur es confidence toward business conditions, short-term outlook, personal finances and jobs. In other words it measures the degree of optimism that consumers feel about the overall state of the economy and their personal financial situation. If consumer confidence is high, consumers are more likely to make purchases. Vice-versa, if consumer confidence is low, consumers are more likely to save and spend less.