High School Girls Daily Blog on STEM Engineering Experience
Date Posted: June 3, 2014
Posted In: Discussion, Ideas, News,
Seven local engineering firms have teamed up with Cor Jesu Academy to offer the area’s first Summer Engineering Experience designed to interest high school age girls in engineering careers. Twenty-two Cor Jesu students are engaging June 2-6 in hands-on activities that focus on different engineering disciplines – civil, electrical, mechanical, biomedical and chemical – with the direct involvement of Ameren, Watlow, Hastings + Chivetta, Horner & Shifrin, Access Engineering, DJM Ecological Services and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. Watch for daily updates from program participants.
Monday, June 02, 2014
STEM Corporate Partners Summer Engineering Experience
Day 1: CIVIL ENGINEERING SESSIONS FOCUS ON COR JESU CAMPUS PLAN
What an amazing introductory day for our S.E.E. participants! Professionals from Hastings & Chivetta, Access Engineering, and DJM Ecological engaged 22 rising juniors and seniors in a unique civil engineering opportunity to develop a site design for the new construction currently planned for Cor Jesu Academy. After receiving a sample site map and general engineering considerations, the students visited the proposed site on campus and then divided into small groups and developed their proposal for the new construction. Using cut-outs, tracing paper, measuring tools, and their site map, they got to work!
The participating professionals, including Chris Chivetta and Steve DeHekker from Hasings & Chivetta, Marie Dennis of Access Engineering and Doug Bauer of DIM Ecological, circulated among the groups to answer any questions and provide insights to the civil engineering challenges involved. There was much spirited discussion within the groups and quite creative and innovative designs for the Cor Jesu campus were drawn! During a delicious lunch provided by Access Engineering, the students heard presentations about various civil engineering opportunities, ecological considerations in engineering, and statistics involving women in engineering. CAD design software, previously downloaded on each student computer, was explained and explored.
Finally, the student groups explained THEIR design for the future CJ expansion! Each group offered their unique designs based on the new engineering information they had just learned. The students were then presented with the ACTUAL proposal, designed by Hastings & Chivetta! Amazingly, some of the student groups proposed the same design concepts as the architectural firm! Onward to Ameren tomorrow….
Tuesday, June 04, 2014
STEM Corporate Partners Summer Engineering Experience
Day 2: AMEREN: FOCUS ON ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABILITY
Ameren experience began with a shuttle to the main Ameren office on Chouteau Avenue. The students were warmly welcomed, badged, and given an introduction to “power” in the Missouri and Illinois area. The various ways that electricity is generated was presented and all the challenges involved with energy demands today. They were broken into groups which allowed all the students to learn about types of solar panels and a visit to the solar panels on the roof of the building. Also, the smart grid trailer and a real electric car were explored on the property. As the students were treated to a delicious Gourmet-To-Go lunch, a panel discussion with two women student interns and a current Ameren woman engineer ensued. One of the student interns, Mia Eppler, an alum of Cor Jesu Academy, was able to give the students an idea of her experience after high school at Notre Dame University where she is currently studying chemical engineering. The others on the panel told their own unique story and answered student questions. Each woman emphasized that they did not know that they wanted to be engineers early on in their schooling. They advised the students to consider pursuing engineering if they enjoyed math and science and solving problems. The shuttle bus then proceeded to the Ameren Operations Training Center at 11149 Lindbergh Business Court in South County. Heart-shaped CJ cookies were awaiting us in the board room, as they continued to overwhelm us with their generosity. The students divided into three groups, rotating in 20 minute intervals. One activity was learning the PI Processbook. Another was a tour through the plant where students were instructed to make a simple circuit and use computer software to operate the various systems. The students were amazed at the various machines that actually made parts for the Ameren mechanisms. The day ended with specific journal questions, supplied by the Ameren engineers. The students reflected on their intricate and interesting venture into “electrical engineering.” Onward to Watlow tomorrow…..
Wednesday, June 05, 2014
STEM Corporate Partners Summer Engineering Experience
DAY THREE: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
The Summer Engineering Experience went on a road trip today to Hannibal, MO.! The Watlow production plant in Hannibal provided loads of hospitality and unique experiences for the engineer campers. Upon our arrival on our comfortable coach provided by Watlow, we were greeted by Carole Eilers and an amazing staff of engineers.
After a short introduction explaining the vast interests of the Watlow Corporation, the students were immediately engaged in the “tennis ball” activity. A group of 10 students were asked to pass a tennis ball to each member of the group and return it to the leader. The students found that they could collaborate together and repeatedly change their strategy to accomplish this task and cut their time by over 15 seconds.
The students then participated in the “lego” activity. In groups of five, they were given a variety of lego pieces and asked to assemble thirty airplanes in a matter of minutes. The team leaders from Watlow continually changed the “rules” of the production line which helped the students understand the importance of multiple aspects of producing a finished product efficiently.
The students were then treated to a delicious lunch from Panera provided by our generous hosts. During lunch, the students were given information on the various products manufactured at Watlow and the Watlow mission. They explored the acronym DOWNTIME and how each word related to their unique approach. The students posed questions concerning the roles of women in the engineering fields.
Donning safety glasses, the students were then divided into “tour groups” and were led to the production floor. The production staff was working on various aspects of constructing many types of Watlow heaters. In another space, an engineer explained how a heating element could enhance the combustion of fuels and help eliminate harmful emissions. As the day concluded, the students boarded the bus for home, grateful for the overwhelming attention given to them and enriched with their newfound knowledge of mechanical engineering! Onward to Mallinckrodt tomorrow…..
June 5, 2014
STEM Corporate Partners Summer Engineering Experience
DAY FOUR: BIOMEDICAL AND CHEMICAL DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING
The final day on the road took the Summer Engineering Experience students to Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. The students were introduced to the team leaders and the products produced by Mallinckrodt were explained. Then the students participated in an amazing laboratory experience. They were divided into small groups, equipped with lab coats and safety glasses, and entered the lab to begin a tour of six different stations. Not only were the students taught the concepts, they were allowed to participate at each station. The 3D printer coupled with the CAD design software was demonstrated at the first station.
After that, they filled a syringe, tested the ability of the syringe to withstand pressure and impact, and performed a luer lock torque test. They also participated in a “power injection function” test. Each student operated a device that is commonly used to inject a contrast agent into a patient during a CT scan procedure. After completing the two hour rotation, the students processed the experience in a brief wrap-up session.
Then we headed to the Webster Groves R & D facility. During lunch, the R & D team introduced themselves and led a discussion on brand vs. generic drug production. The students were then divided into four groups and taken through the tablet pressing and testing centers. Many questions concerning the weight, coating and extended release aspects of tablets were posed. The team presented a panel discussion on biomedical, chemical, mechanical, and packaging engineering. Each member explained their career path and answered student questions. As the day concluded, we were all surprised with a water bottle and a bag that enclosed our own S.E.E. key chain made in the 3D printer! We finally took our leave, thanking our generous hosts. Onward to our final day at C.J……