SWE Boston Outreach Volunteer Opportunities - FIRST Robotics , Girls Inc

SWE Boston Outreach  Volunteer Opportunities         FIRST Robotics      FIRST Robotics is looking for volunteers to assist High School students with their technical presentations over January and February. The dates and times are flexible and based on when a SWE member is able to work it into their schedule. The schools requiring assistance would be in the Boston area.   The time commitment would be appromimately 1-2 hours. Robotic knowledge is not required. The volunteer would provide feedback on the technical content, competency/confidence, clarity, etc. of the presentation prior to the team competition. For more information, please contact Eileen Phillips at ephillips@usfirst.org.    About FIRST: FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has formed a partnership with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) to help increase the number of middle and high school students entering the fields of science, technology. engineering and math. Under the agreement, the organizations will participate in one another's events, such as the U.S. FIRST Robotics Competition. The agreement will also focus on increasing the number of female competitors in the robotics competition. FIRST was founded in 1989 by New Hampshire inventor Dean Kamen to increase interest in the STEM fields through its yearly robotics competitions and other events.          Girls Inc      SWE Boston will be teaming up with Girls Inc of Lynn this spring to organize an after school program on science and engineering sponsored by ExxonMobil Foundation and Medtronic.  The program will kickoff March 27 with an overnight trip to the Museum of Science and continue with engineering related after school activities once per week for 9 weeks (into early June).  About 15 Girls Inc students in 8th grade will participate and all activities will be held in Lynn, MA, at the Girls Inc office.   There are opportunities for two levels of volunteers.  The first is for 1-3 individuals who would like to help co-chair by assisting in the planning of all activities.  In addition, a larger number of volunteers will be needed to commit to running activities once/week for 2 or 3 consecutive weeks (4-5pm, day of week TBD).  NOTE: This is during regular work hours so volunteers do not need to commit to every week!   For more information, please contact: Taryn Jensen, tj14inne@hotmail.com, (480)540-7822 Summary What: Girls Inc of Lynn/SWE afterschool program When: April - June, one day/week, 4-5pm Where: 50 High Street, Lynn, MA Needed: Volunteers!!     SWE-BOSTON, P.O. Box 244, Woburn MA 01801 swebos@sweboston.org, www.sweboston.org SWE NATIONAL, 230 E Ohio Street #400, Chicago, IL 60611-3265, Phone: (312) 644-0828, Fax: (312) 644-8557 hq@swe.org, www.swe.org Boston Area Collegiate Sections: Boston University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, Olin College, Tufts University, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of New Hampshire, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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Soap Box: Humans in Space @ MIT Museum

http://web.mit.edu/museum/programs/soapbox.html
 
What: Soap Box: Humans in Space @ MIT Museum

When: December 8, 2009 6:00 PM

Where:
MIT Museum
265 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-253-5927

 
Tue. 12/8Soap Box: Humans in Space

It's been 40 years since humans rose above low Earth orbit. Has space exploration stalled out? Should it be abandoned? What new technologies or geopolitical realities could shift the equation? The future of human space exploration is getting started, and not just at NASA. Hear from Professor Dava Newman about new technologies, companies, and policies that are leading people back into space. Tied up in issues of national pride, scientific discovery, income disparity, and the meaning of being human, space flight is a topic on which everyone has an opinion. Share yours at Soap Box.
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Free admission, refreshments served

Autotest 1

Autotest 1

Please disregard

FIRST LEGO® League

FIRST LEGO® League
Introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.

Get Involved - The competition on Saturday, November 21 needs judges.

Date: November 21
Time: 8-4pm
Location: Blackstone Valley Regional High School, Upton, MA


Please contact Lisa at lisa_zagura@hotmail.com if you are interested in participating.

Any questions concerning the event or role of a judge can be directed to Colleen Shaver at colleen@wpi.edu or Eileen Phillips at ephillips@usfirst.org.

For more information about FIRST LEGO LEAGUE and this year's challenge- Smart Moves- go to:
http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/content.aspx?id=13262

Professional Society Mixer at Tech Expo!

TITLE: Professional Society Mixer at Tech Expo!

DATE: Tuesday, October 6, 2009

LOCATION: Hill Building, One Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA

TIME: 6-8 p.m

HOST: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.

REGISTRATION AND MORE INFO: http://www.draper.com/TechExpo/Mixer.html
DESCRIPTION: This event is specifically designed for members of local chapters of professional societies to meet and mingle with colleages and Draper staff. Meet members of "sister" organizations to network, share ideas and plan joint events, and meet Draper staff to learn more about Draper and our technologies. Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served. The Draper Tech Expo is an exhibition of technologies in Strategic Systems, Space Systems, Tactical Systems, Special Operations, Biomedical Engineering, Geospatial Systems, Energy, and Independent R & D.

Outreach Planning

August Meeting: Outreach Planning


Join your fellow SWE members on the outreach committee who want to increase student interest in the engineering profession or who just enjoy working with kids. At this meeting, we will determine which outreach activities we want to pursue for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and try to match up coordinators and volunteers for these activities. In the past these activities have included Girl Scout workshops, "Wow! That's Engineering!" workshops, science fair judging, merit certificate presentations, speakers bureau, job shadowing, and special events like Engineer's Week. If you are interested in participating in any of the outreach programs for next year, please consider attending this meeting. This is a great way to get more involved with SWE-Boston, make new friends and professional contacts, and share your passion for engineering. If you are interested in partipating in outreach activies, but cannot attend the planning meeting, please contact Lisa Zagura at lisa_zagura@hotmail.com

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009
Time: 12:00-3:00 pmLocation: SWE Member's home in Waltham, MA (Directions will be provided when you RSVP)Cost: Free (please bring a dish to share for lunch)
NOTE: We may meet outside - weather permitting.
RSVP: by Wednesday August 19th at www.sweboston.org via Acteva (At the SWE-Boston website you will redirected to Acteva where you can RSVP). Any questions can be directed to swebos@sweboston.org.

Register Now for the SWE Boston August Outreach planning meeting!

August Meeting: Outreach Planning

Join your fellow SWE members on the outreach committee who want to increase student interest in the engineering profession or who just enjoy working with kids. At this meeting, we will determine which outreach activities we want to pursue for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and try to match up coordinators and volunteers for these activities. In the past these activities have included Girl Scout workshops, "Wow! That's Engineering!" workshops, science fair judging, merit certificate presentations, speakers bureau, job shadowing, and special events like Engineer's Week.

If you are interested in participating in any of the outreach programs for next year, please consider attending this meeting. This is a great way to get more involved with SWE-Boston, make new friends and professional contacts, and share your passion for engineering.
If you are interested in partipating in outreach activies, but cannot attend the planning meeting, please contact Lisa Zagura at outreach@sweboston.org

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009
Time: 12:00-3:00 pm Location: SWE Member's home in Waltham, MA (Directions will be provided when you RSVP)

Cost: Free (please bring a dish to share for lunch) NOTE: We may meet outside - weather permitting.

RSVP: by Wednesday August 19th via Acteva

Any questions can be directed to mailto:tooutreach@sweboston.org

SWE-BOSTON, P.O. Box 244, Woburn MA 01801

swebos@sweboston.org, http://www.sweboston.org/

Join and sign up for alerts at the SWE-Boston online community

(Boston Section - F1 Community): http://communities.swe.org/COP/BostonSectionF1/

SWE Headquarters

230 E Ohio Street #400, Chicago, IL 60611,

Phone: 1-877-SWE-INFO hq@swe.org, http://www.swe.org/

PD planning meeting - RSVP changed to July 18

July Meeting: Professional Development Planning Meeting and Pot Luck Lunch
Jul 19
...It's Planning Time!!! Now is the time to contribute your ideas for future SWE-Boston professional development events and to voice an opinion on proposed topics and speakers. We will be meeting in an informal setting and share lunch while we brainstorm about events for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Meeting attendees will vote for their top program choices and assign tentative dates and locations for each of the events. After this meeting, we will secure meeting sponsorship and plan meeting details.

2009 Professional Development Video

Influence: Who's got it, why you need it, and how to get it

Launch in external player


Please visit our Members Access page for fullvideo

Annual Survey

Please help us continue to improve our programs by letting us know your thoughts on our PD and Outreach events over the past year and your ideas for next year.
Complete the survey you'll have a chance to enter a raffle for a $25 book store gift card! The survey will close on Friday July 17.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ZhfrjC0XpnVlS4RzYTmTWw_3d_3d

It's that time of the year! Renew your membership!

Renew online at http://www.swe.org/join
or you can send your renewal form http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/images/stories/JoinAPP.pdf

SWE National Conference - Registration is open

Please share the conference promo video.







Please visit we09.swe.org for more information

Mentors for Young Inventors

Mentors for Young Inventors

Innovation and invention are cornerstones of American society, but not all young people have role models to open doors in the engineering field. WGBH and the Lemelson Foundation are meeting this need through the creation of a new program, Mentors for Young Inventors (working title). Starting this fall in the Greater Boston area, the program will place young engineers and engineering students in after-school programs once a week. Working with a group of kids (ages 10-11), the mentors will use a stepped-out curriculum that inspires youth to explore invention.

Goals of the Program

• Expose disadvantaged youth to the design process through fun, hands-on activities
• Build meaningful relationships between mentors and youth
• Inspire kids to consider engineering as a potential career

Are You a Working Engineer or College Engineering Student?
WGBH is currently recruiting engineers and engineering students to serve as mentors for children. By spending just a few hours of time each week, you can expose a roomful of children to the rewards of innovation and exploration.

As mentors you will:

• Have fun working with kids to unleash their creative abilities
• Strengthen your leadership skills
• Co-lead the program with another mentor
• Receive training and a stepped-out curriculum
• Get a $500 stipend for program supplies
• Enjoy the support of program staff, fellow mentors, and after-school leaders
• Raise the community service profile of your company or institution
  

Requirements of Mentors

In addition to having the excitement to mentor kids, mentors will be asked to:

• Commit to volunteering for 2-hours per week (set-up and break-down time included) during the 2009-2010 school year (20 weeks total)
• Attend a fall and spring training
• Ability to get to and from after-school site
• Collect necessary materials for weekly activities using the stipend
• Participate in 2 conference calls andtake part in online communications
• Participate in program evaluation conducted by Veridian Insight
• Gain clearance on CORI check
  

Interested?To become a mentor and learn more, please respond by June 1, 2009.

Contact: Liza Silverman

Outreach Production Coordinator

WGBH Phone: (617) 300-3642

Email: liza_silverman@wgbh.org

Congratulations Larisa Schelkin!

Science Club for Girls’ 15th Anniversary Celebration & Catalyst Award Ceremony

May 26, 2009
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Broad Institute
Cambridge, MA

Larisa Schelkin will receive an award for her heroic efforts, personally and via her work with SWE, DOME Foundation and various other channels, to provide access to and increase diversity in STEM!
http://www.scienceclubforgirls.org/

Upcomig RSVP deadlines

Professional Development Meeting
Blending and Balancing Your Professional & Personal Lives - May 19
Register by May 12, 2009
Sponsored by BAE Systems


Social Event
Tour of Historic Working Grist Mill - May 16
Register by May 14, 2009

One-time K-12 outreach - Merit Certificates presenters

Dear SWE Boston Members,

Requests continue to come in for a SWE representative to present Merit Certificates at schools in our area. We are looking for volunteers to present Merit Certificates to several schools. The award recipients have already been selected and certificates have been received by the schools.
North of Boston (Rte. 95/128)

BISHOP FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL
99 Margin Street
Peabody, MA 01960
Date: Thursday, June 11th
Time: 7:00 pm

DANVERS HIGH SCHOOL
60 Cabot Road
Danvers, MA 01923
Date: Thursday, June 4th
Time: 7:00 pm


New Hampshire

ALVIRNE HIGH SCHOOL
200 Derry Road
Hudson, NH 03051
Date: Thursday, May 21st
Time: 6:30 pm

MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL WEST
9 Notre Dame Avenue
Manchester, NH 03102
Date: Thursday, May 21st
Time: 8:15 AM

This one-time task typically takes only an hour or two (at absolute most!) of your time. The actual presenting takes about 5 minutes (maximum) and generally presenters are present for the entire awards ceremony, plus your travel time to and from the school. We can provide you with a detailed (but short!) script if you are unsure what to say.

The award recipients are typically students who have excelled in math and/or science and receiving an award from SWE is almost always the first exposure to SWE, and perhaps to engineering, the students have had. These students may very well be our next generation of SWE members! Having an actual SWE member present the award is greatly appreciated by the school's faculty.

Please email Darcie Giard (merit@sweboston.org), if you are interested or have any questions.

Stay tuned for more requests as we receive them from the schools this spring!

Burgers and Star Trek

Embrace your inner geek and join us for Burgers and Star Trek on May 8.

May 8, 2009
8:00PM
Fuddruckkers
50 Walkers Brook Dr, Reading, MA 01867
(781) 942-4891
http://www.fuddruckers.com/

Please RSVP to mdinglasa@gmail.com by May 7

Star Trek 9:30PM showing
I recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time at Jordans Imax website http://www.jordansimax.com/.

Donate old electronics for SWE event for teen girls on May 2nd

SWE Boston Members,

Do you have old electronics (telephones, radios, etc) that you need to get rid of?
How would you like to help a girl learn about engineering at the same time? (Besides, the garage needs to be cleaned out sometime.)
For our "Wow! That's Engineering!" SWE signature event next week for teen girls (May 2nd), we are looking for donations of old electronics for our "take-apart" portion of the event. The girls take apart old electronics to find out how they work. We need old telephones, radios, answering machines, etc. for 200 girls to take apart and explore!

If you have something to donate, please email Tracy at tcp@ieee.org. Here are the drop off options:

Bring to the SWE meeting on Tuesday April 28th at Analog Devices.
Bring to the event on May 2nd (at UMass Lowell), from 9-10:30 AM.
Email Tracy at tcp@ieee.org to arrange a drop-off.
The list of items we can use includes, but is NOT limited to, the following:

-Telephones
-Answering Machines
-Radios
-Computers, keyboards, printers (no monitors, please)
-Fax Machines
-VCR or DVD players
-Cameras
-Game consoles

Anything else you can think of
Interested in volunteering on the day of the event? Register at http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=178807.

The perils of managing too many social networking sites

I'm busy, everyone I know is busy and the folks reading this are most likely busy too. On average, it takes 2-3 hours to maintain the SWE Boston website. If something goes wrong (i.e. hackers posting diet links on our site), it may take all weekend long. The additional tasks of maintaining social networking sites for the organization takes an additional 2 hours. To me, 5 hours every week for years is a lot of work. Not many of us have time to update all of our profiles and post messages every day (or every 6 months).

Issues
1) I have to repeat the same profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogspot and etc.
2) I have to keep the audience interested on our organization by posting updates at least every week.
3) Memorizing many usernames and passwords.
4) Eats up too much time.
5) I'm lazy.

Solutions
1) RSS feed is my good old friend. I can use RSS to automatically post news/updates on Facebook, Twitter (through twitterfeed.com), LinkedIn and Blogspot.
2) Atomkeep.com is my new best friend. I love that I can update my profiles all at once though atomkeep. I only need to memorize one username and password.

Gripes
The SWE communities does not accept RSS to post updates, does not automatically save username/password and the search features is still behind the times.


-MLD
SWE Boston webmaster