Recent studies clearly indicate that the number of females and under-represented minorities enrolled in engineering programs in the United States is still well below their respective averages in other industrialized countries around the globe. UNLV engineering students want to do something about this concerning trend; that's why the UNLV student chapter of American Society of Mechanical Engineers will host the "Spring 2006 Diversity Action Seminar," a unique program designed to cultivate interest in engineering as a profession among high school females and minorities. The event will be held March 17 and 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Thomas T. Beam Engineering Complex on the UNLV campus.
Annually, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) allocates funding to ASME student chapters at universities who design programs seeking to recruit and encourage high school women and minorities to pursue a career in the field of engineering. The UNLV chapter was awarded a $1250 grant in November 2005 to host a seminar.
"With the current and perceived shortage of engineers in this country, it is important that we reach out to the entire population of potential future engineers," said Eric Sandgren, Dean of the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering. "It is one thing if I tell them about careers in engineering, but it is far more productive if our students tell them."
Additionally, the mechanical engineering and the minority engineering program matched the grant to provide the student organization with $2500 for the event. Chair of the mechanical engineering department, Dr. Mohamed Trabia, agreed to the additional funding because the seminar supports one of his department goals to continually develop an inclusive department that realistically represents the Las Vegas metropolitan area. "The ASME seminar enables Dr. Trabia and other College colleagues to recruit segments of the population that usually do not consider engineering as a career option," he said.
UNLV students Stacy Raagas and Kimberly Clark, who lead the ASME chapter, designed an in-depth engineering seminar that immerses local high school women and minorities into some of the most essential concepts and common practices found in modern engineering careers. ASME extended their invitations to the Clark County Schools with the highest percentage of female and minority populations.
"Women and minorities have had a hard time picturing themselves in engineering since there are a limited number of role models in the field," Raagas said. "Our program sets an example and seeks to reverse the trend."
Participants attending the two-day event represent the Advanced Technologies Academy, Clark, and Cimarron Memorial High Schools. During the two-day seminar, 20 students from these schools will learn about engineering in workshops being facilitated by the student ASME members and engineering faculty. Among the topics to be discussed are:
? Alternative energy methods, including solar power and hydrogen fuel cells
? Aerodynamic characterization through the application of a subsonic wind tunnel
? Composite material theory and application
? Electronic circuits
? Modern manufacturing techniques, including computer-controlled mill and lathe demonstrations
? Solid-modeling techniques
? State-of-the-art materials testing systems.
Dr. Eugene McGaugh, who directs the minority engineering program at UNLV, says he "applauds events and activities such as this seminar because it generates an increased understanding of engineering careers among under-represented high school students while also providing an opportunity for the College to showcase the minority engineering program."
Students interested in attending the seminar must complete an application. Applications are available by calling 702-895-1331.
The Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering provides research and academic programs to over 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students at UNLV. With more than 70 full-time faculty, the College offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through six academic departments.
