Ohio State SWE

Post Written by Allison Hamilton, Historian for 2011-2012

Ohio State SWE had a successful start to the school year through both new and returning outreach and education events for 2011, including WiE LEAP, the Big/Little Program, Ecoengineering, and SWE at CAR.

Our first outreach event welcomed incoming freshmen engineers on campus through the Women in Engineering Volleyball Tournament event.  Known as WiE LEAP (Women in Engineering Learning Community’s Early Arrival Program) the event was a joint effort with Society of Women Engineers, the Women in Engineering Program, and Phi Sigma Rho, the Ohio State engineering sorority, to move freshman women engineers into the dorms before regular move-in day.  This gave new students the opportunity to meet upperclassmen women engineers, ask questions about Ohio State engineering, and find out more information about the women engineering related organizations on campus.  Arcelor Mittal representatives also attended the event to discuss career opportunities as well as describe their experiences in the engineering programs at their respective university.

The newest outreach effort through Ohio State SWE, the Big/Little Program, was initiated this year to promote freshman involvement and retention in the organization.  The Big/Little program assigns upperclassmen engineers to underclassmen engineers in the same major.  This way, underclassmen meet more members at the beginning of the year and continue to attend events throughout the year.  Each “Big” is encouraged to mentor her “Little” and meet outside of SWE events to develop a relationship that can bring the organization together.  The program has been a success thus far, beginning with the Ice Cream Social Kickoff and continuing to expand underclassmen involvement.  OSU SWE highly recommends this new method for freshman involvement!

A returning outreach success, Eco Engineering (an event focused on promoting engineering and energy conservation) was scheduled for the fall rather than spring this year.  The event was coordinated with Columbus Girl Scout troops and held in the Ohio Union on campus.  The Union was recently built with “LEED” certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), implementing green energy, compostable food containers, and recycled items for use in the construction of the rooms, such as car seatbelts used to make chairs in meeting rooms.  The Union was constructed using 25% of recycled material and has an “Optimization of Energy Performance”, according to the LEED certificate.  SWE members formed groups with the Girl Scouts to go on a  “green” scavenger hunt by finding environmentally friendly aspects of the union¹.  Later in the event, the SWE members talked to the girls in their small groups over lunch about engineering and environmentally friendly practices that can be done at home.

The last educational and outreach experience of Fall Quarter was the annual SWE at CAR event.  Members met at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) in Columbus, where they then learned about different areas of car maintenance.  Some CAR volunteers put the members in small groups, where they learned how to change tires, maintain fluid levels, replace break pads, and jumpstart a car.  A few SWE members even worked on their own vehicles.  The event was a great opportunity to learn about basic car knowledge and safety in a casual environment.  It also had the largest member attendance out of all the outreach and educational events!

¹More information about the Ohio Union can be found at http://ohiounion.osu.edu/about_the_union/green/leed

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Arcelor Mittal representatives discussing engineering opportunities to freshmen.

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WiE LEAP Volleyball

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SWE “Big” and “Little” at a SWE tailgate party

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ECO Engineering activities before the tour of the Ohio Union

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Girl Scouts introduce themselves in their small groups

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Girl Scouts do an “O-H-I-O” in the Oval on campus

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Eco engineering group thinks about what makes the Ohio Union eco-friendly

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SWE members pose at the CAR event after changing tires

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Greasy Hands!

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Loosening lug nuts on the wheel for a break pad change

Location: Marriott Cincinnati Marriott North, 6189 Muhlhauser Rd., West Chester, OH 45069

Conference Website

http://www.southohioswe.org/region-conference-home/

Register here

http://www.southohioswe.org/region-conference-home/registration/

Accommodations: Rooms are available for $99 per night until 2/18/12 at the Marriott.  This rate is good for double, queen or king rooms. After 2/18/12, rates will go back to normal pricing. Please indicate that you are with the SWE Region G conference when booking. Book at  1-800-228-9290

Sponsored by University of Cincinnati SWE

Questions, contact Margaret Adriatico – South Ohio SWE President & UC SWE Counselor:  southohio.swe.pres@gmail.com

1. Create Resolutions That Can Last

Don’t set your goals too high or try to achieve something unrealistic. The point of a resolution is to make a change for the good. Unachievable goals just lead to burn-out and disappointment.

2. Give Yourself Reminders

Not keeping a resolution isn’t always the result of lack of effort or desire. Sometimes, especially in the high-tech world we’re living in, we simply get distracted. Try limiting distractions and focusing on what’s important. I’ve found that posting notes in my room or on my phone really helps me to continuously keep my goals in view.

3. Use the Buddy System

Try setting goals with friends. It’s always good to have someone to be accountable to. Whether it’s having a work-out buddy to push you when you’re tired or a study buddy to keep you focused on your school work, having someone to remind you of your goals is important. So, encourage others and seek encouragement.

4. Have fun!

Although we all aspire to be great, you don’t want to miss out on the joys of youth. Set goals to better yourself without forgetting to enjoy your collegiate years – they fly by way too fast.

Region Collegiate Representatives and Region Collegiate Communications Editor: The RCR is responsible for representing collegiate members’ interests among regional leaders. The RCCE is responsible for communicating important SWE events and best practices through the region’s blog. Plus, the RCR(s) and RCCE from each region will have the opportunity to attend next summer’s Collegiate Leadership Forum in Minneapolis, MN. Click here to learn more about the positions.

Region Collegiate Senators: The RCS is responsible for chartering the strategic direction and adopting long-range goals for the Society. The alternate RCS is responsible for fulfilling her Senator’s duties if the Senator is unable to perform her tasks. The RCS from each region will also have the opportunity to attend next summer’s Collegiate Leadership Forum in Minneapolis, MN. Click here to learn more about the positions.

The RCR, RCCE and RCS positions provide invaluable interaction and coaching from SWE leaders. These leadership opportunities sharpen your career skill-set in the areas of leading and facilitation, group dynamics and communication, and project leadership. Click here to review the RCR/RCCE/RCS Qualifications.

Please click here to apply or copy and paste the following URL in your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fy13_rcr_rcce_rcs_appl

• To apply you will need:
• Member number
• Section/Region
• School and Permanent Address
• Position of interest
• SWE leadership positions
• Other leadership positions
• Why you want to be RCR/RCCE/RCS
• What you bring to the RCR/RCCE/RCS position
• What SWE means to you
• Interest outside of SWE
• Reference to confirm GPA/academic standing

Please also submit a 1-3 minute video that describes why you are running for the position, your name, year in school, major, SWE leadership experience, why people should vote for you, etc. Send the video to SWE.Collegiate.Elections@gmail.com by February 5, 2012 . Note that the video does not need to be submitted with the Survey Monkey application but does need to be emailed before the deadline. The video must be high enough quality to post on YouTube and should be under 25MB.

Applications are due by Sunday, February 5.

Similar to past years, in FY13 there will be one to two RCRs for every 1,000 collegiate members in each region. If collegiate membership reaches 1,000 members by January 31, 2012, a region will add or maintain a second RCR. There will be one RCCE and one RCS elected per region. Alternate RCSs are optional, and the position will go to the RCS candidate with the second highest number of votes.

Disclaimer: Be aware that if elected, you will need to secure your own housing accommodations for the WE12 Conference in Houston. There are resources available through your Region Governor.

If you have any questions regarding the positions or the election process, please contact your RCR(s) at example:rcr-x@swe.org, where X is replaced by the letter of your region, RCCE at example:rcce-x@swe.org, or Jessica Kiefer or Jasmine Harris at rcr-rcce-coordinator@swe.org.

• Jessica Kiefer, RCR/RCCE Coordinator
• Jasmine Harris, RCR/RCCE Coordinator Elect
• Linda Thomas, Director of Regions
• Colleen Layman, Deputy Director of Regions
• Helen Patricia, Speaker of the Senate
• Deborah Willems, Deputy Speaker of the Senate

Apply now to spend your summer researching renewable fuels, chemicals, and products in Colorado.

Please see the C2B2/NSF REU Brochure for details and visit www.C2B2web.org for application requirements.

• Students from all majors are eligible to apply! Applicants should be interested in researching bioenergy.
• Applications from underrepresented students are strongly encouraged.
• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible to receive funding.
• Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at the time of participation.

Completed applications must be received as of February 26, 2012 at 11:59 PM.

Questions? E-mail C2B2@colorado.edu or call 303.735.2503.

Region Collegiate Representatives and Region Collegiate Communications Editor: The RCR is responsible for representing collegiate members’ interests among regional leaders. The RCCE is responsible for communicating important SWE events and best practices through the region’s blog. Plus, the RCR(s) and RCCE from each region will have the opportunity to attend next summer’s Collegiate Leadership Forum in Minneapolis, MN. Click here to learn more about the positions.

Region Collegiate Senators: The RCS is responsible for chartering the strategic direction and adopting long-range goals for the Society. The alternate RCS is responsible for fulfilling her Senator’s duties if the Senator is unable to perform her tasks. The RCS from each region will also have the opportunity to attend next summer’s Collegiate Leadership Forum in Minneapolis, MN. Click here to learn more about the positions.

The RCR, RCCE and RCS positions provide invaluable interaction and coaching from SWE leaders. These leadership opportunities sharpen your career skill-set in the areas of leading and facilitation, group dynamics and communication, and project leadership. Click here to review the RCR/RCCE/RCS Qualifications.

Please click here to apply or copy and paste the following URL in your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fy13_rcr_rcce_rcs_appl

• To apply you will need:
• Member number
• Section/Region
• School and Permanent Address
• Position of interest
• SWE leadership positions
• Other leadership positions
• Why you want to be RCR/RCCE/RCS
• What you bring to the RCR/RCCE/RCS position
• What SWE means to you
• Interest outside of SWE
• Reference to confirm GPA/academic standing

Please also submit a 1-3 minute video that describes why you are running for the position, your name, year in school, major, SWE leadership experience, why people should vote for you, etc. Send the video to SWE.Collegiate.Elections@gmail.com by February 5, 2012 . Note that the video does not need to be submitted with the Survey Monkey application but does need to be emailed before the deadline. The video must be high enough quality to post on YouTube and should be under 25MB.

Applications are due by Sunday, February 5.

Similar to past years, in FY13 there will be one to two RCRs for every 1,000 collegiate members in each region. If collegiate membership reaches 1,000 members by January 31, 2012, a region will add or maintain a second RCR. There will be one RCCE and one RCS elected per region. Alternate RCSs are optional, and the position will go to the RCS candidate with the second highest number of votes.

Disclaimer: Be aware that if elected, you will need to secure your own housing accommodations for the WE12 Conference in Houston. There are resources available through your Region Governor.

If you have any questions regarding the positions or the election process, please contact your RCR(s) at example:rcr-x@swe.org, where X is replaced by the letter of your region, RCCE at example:rcce-x@swe.org, or Jessica Kiefer or Jasmine Harris at rcr-rcce-coordinator@swe.org.

• Jessica Kiefer, RCR/RCCE Coordinator
• Jasmine Harris, RCR/RCCE Coordinator Elect
• Linda Thomas, Director of Regions
• Colleen Layman, Deputy Director of Regions
• Helen Patricia, Speaker of the Senate
• Deborah Willems, Deputy Speaker of the Senate

To enter the competition, student teams:
1. Design a city using SimCity software.
2. Research and write an essay.
3. Write a narrative describing their city.
4. Build a physical model using recycled material that has at least 1 moving part.
5. Present their city to a panel of judges.

Learn more about Future City at www.futurecity.org.

We need Judges!
We’ll give you assesment tools (called rubrics) and electronic score sheets and we need you to volunteer to judge:

Virtural City Designs (5 to 6 hours from your home or office)
Are you familiar with SimCity 4? Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that you can do from your home or office? Than a Virtual City Design Judge is perfect for you! You’ll receive 10 to 12 city designs on or about Feburary 3rd and will have 7 days to evaluate them.

City Narratives (2 hours from your home or office)
Are you curious how students image the future? Than you’ll want to volunteer to evaluate 6-7 City Narratives. These short narratives (maximum 500 words) describe a future city’s key features and design attributes. You’ll evaluate the strength of the student’s writing, their city’s infrastructure, and
public services. You’ll receive the city narratives on or about Feburary 3rd and will have 7 days to evaluate them.

Research Essays (3 hours from your home or office)
Can local middle schoolers do a better job of solving our nation’s energy crisis than our world leaders? As a research essay judge you’ll read 6 to 7 research essays describing what energy source a team has
selected and how they will use this source to generate a portion of electric power for their city that does not deplete natural resources and has limited impact on the environment. You’ll receive the city narratives on or about Feburary 3rd and will have 7 days to evaluate them.

Models and Presentations (Monday, February 20th, 2012 from 7:30am to 2:30pm)
Are you looking for a chance to see tomorrow’s leaders in action? As a preliminary judge, you and your fellow judges will see 6 or 7 teams present their city’s unique features, learn how they came up with their ideas, and have a chance to ask them questions. The 2012 Future City National Finals will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at National Airport, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202 on Monday, 2/20/12.

Volunteer Today!
Contact Bill Knight, National Program Manager at bknight@futurecity.org
1-877-636-9578 or 703-684-2889