Schools in the area often seek engineers to volunteer as mentors and coaches for students in engineering-related projects and to judge at student competitions.

Science Fairs:
In January and February of each year the chapter’s website and Newsletter provide listings of the schedule and location of the many school science fairs in the area seeking judges to evaluate the projects and the students’ understanding of the scientific concepts their projects involve. The National Capital Chapter also awards certificates and books for projects best demonstrating industrial engineering concepts or principles. The chapter’s science fair liaison’s email contact is Russell.Wooten@iienationalcapital.com.

Future Cities Competition Judging:
During National Engineers Week (Feb. 16 and 17, 2009), teams of middle school finalists will display and explain their Future Cities models for judging at the Capitol Hill Hyatt Regency in Washington DC. The projects use SimCity software to model their future city and build a physical display model. IIE will have a team of chapter judges to select the best three projects for Special Awards on Feb. 16 and general judging will be held on Feb. 17. If you’d like to be a judge at this event email Charles.Hochstein@usps.gov or phone 202-268-2575.

Career Fairs:
Local organizations and schools hold career fairs for high school juniors and seniors at various times during the school year. The Washington DC Rotary Club annually holds the DC High School career fair in the first week of December. Chapter members have participated in this as well as other school career fairs such as the Falls Church High School career fair which is usually held annually in April. If you’re interested in participating in a school career fair, phone the chapter’s contact, Joe Scheibeler at 202-268-5089 or email Joseph.Scheibeler@iienationalcapital.com.

The Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) provides high school students and guidance counselors information about preparation for engineering careers and courses of study. They welcome engineers and teachers to mentor students and serve as coaches for student projects related to engineering. Their TEAMS program is a national academic competition challenging students to apply math and science to solve real-world engineering scenarios. This year it’s “Behind the Scenes: Theme Parks.” Their National Engineering Design Challenge is an annual engineering design competition challenging high school students to design and build an assistive technology device to empower individuals with disabilities to succeed in the workplace, allowing students to explore, research, design and build a working prototype. For more information check JETS website www.Jets.org or phone their national office in Alexandria, VA at 703-548-5387

The chapter also receives requests from individual teachers for an engineer to speak to their students about engineering such as those in engineering prep programs and math honor classes. If you are interested in doing this, phone Joe Scheibeler at 202-268-5089 or email Joseph.Scheibeler@iienationalcapital.com.

Finally, IIE recruits and trains members to serve as program evaluators in the accreditation process. In the USA, accreditation is a non-governmental peer-reviewed process that ensures educational quality. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Inc. is the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology and IIE is the sole accrediting society for industrial engineering programs in the United States. A portion of your IIE dues supports ABET accreditation. To become a program evaluator, you must attend a one-day training program. Next, you’ll observe an accreditation visit with an experienced program evaluator before being assigned as a team member. Check the IIE website www.iienet.org and type accreditation in the search box for further information.

Moreover, the National Capital Chapter welcomes members to actively participate as a chapter officer or board member. The board usually meets monthly on Saturday mornings at Omni Engineering in McLean, VA and all members are welcome to attend board meetings. For specific time and location of meetings contact chapter president, Russell Wooten by email at Russell.Wooten@iienationalcapital.com or phone the chapter secretary, Joe Scheibeler at 202-268-5089.