Tag Archives: SWE

Notre Dame de Sion and SCE kick off new partnership

Members of the UMKC Society of Women Engineers (SWE) student chapter, along with Professor Katherine Bloemker, attended a breakfast hosted by Notre Dame de Sion high school on Friday, November 30, for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.

The breakfast kicks off a new and exciting partnership between the UMKC School of Computing and Engineering (SCE) and Notre Dame de Sion as part of SCE’s Adopt-A-School program which connects an SCE professor with an area high school. A graduate of Sion, Professor Bloemker selected her alma mater for this program in hopes of raising interest in STEM fields among female students.

More than 20 high school students and five SWE members attended. SWE members shared their experiences in choosing a major, what it is like to study a STEM field in college and post-graduation plans. Following a panel discussion, the students enjoyed breakfast and visited in small groups where they were able to ask questions and engage in lively conversation.

2012 SCE Mr. Engineer selected at E-week Party

Over 150 SCE students, faculty, staff and alumni turned out for the end of E-Week Party and Mr. Engineer Competition held February 24, 2012 at 810 Zone. Food was provided by the SCE Student Council. The Mr. Engineer contest was organized and sponsored by Society of Women Engineers. The 2012 Mr. Engineer, Taylor Christmas, impressed the judges with his drum solo and an original engineering rap he wrote. In addition to the Mr. Engineer award, prizes were awarded for winners of the week’s E Week activities. E-Week 2012 has come and gone…but not without leaving behind some well-planned competitive events, memories, bonding, and of course…all of our big winners! We thank our SCE student council for organizing this year’s on-campus E-week events.

 

SCE Students, Faculty and Staff in the Community

Two SCE student organizations, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), recently engaged with area high school students promoting STEM studies and STEM careers. Dr. Ceki Halmen, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, and NSBE members demonstrated to students from Bishop Hogan High School the importance of materials and materials testing in civil engineering. SWE members discussed engineering and college preparation with students at William Chrisman High School. Debby Dilks, long-time SCE staff member, and several SCE students served as volunteers and judges at the 2012 FIRST LEGO League Regional Championship. The event featured 35 teams comprised of 350 elementary and middle school students from Kansas and Missouri. SCE is proud of its outreach tradition and each year its students, faculty and staff are involved in a wide variety of community outreach activities.

E-Week Participation by SCE Students Hits Record High!

SCE celebrated E-week (February 21 – 25) with numerous events and activities sponsored by our student organizations and SCE Student Council.  Overall participation by students hit a record high!  It is estimated that over 1/3 of SCE students participated in at least one E-week activity! 

The week started off with free nachos, a tug of war and gaming competition. Mid week highlights included the Toyota Ride and Drive, Alumni Panel, Trebuchet and Bottle Rocket Competitions, STEM Career Fair, book fair and Blood Drive.  And did we mention the free donuts on Wednesday and the free pancake breakfast on Thursday?   Several  SCE student leaders were guests at Thursday’s  60th Annual Engineers Week Luncheon attended by over 300 engineering professionals and sponsored by Kansas City engineering firms and organizations.   Friday concluded with the Roo Race and an AWESOME closing event attended by over 150 SCE students  –  the 1st annual E-Week all school party!   At the party the Mr. Engineer Competition sponsored by our Society of Women Engineers student chapter was conducted and E-week prizes and awards were announced.