SWE-SD INDUSTRIAL OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP (IOP)
The San Diego chapter of the Society of Women Engineers began over 30 years ago and has grown to over 100 active local members. SWE members participate in San Diego student outreach through scholarships, after-school science experiments, science fair judging and classroom visits.
The Industrial Outreach Partnership (IOP) was founded in 1998, with initial funding provided by Solar Turbines, Inc. The mission of this organization is to provide opportunities for stimulating the interest of San Diego youth in science and engineering by combining the resources of local industry and the SWE community. The objectives of IOP include targeting underrepresented students to participate in innovative activities and helping youth explore the challenges and rewards of the lives of women scientists and engineers.
Engineering Egypt in the Year 2000
Our strategy was to design a day-long event for middle school students to inspire and inform them about engineering as a profession. Students formed small teams with a SWE volunteer and proceed through a maze of hands-on workshops, centered around an Egyptian theme. Each workshop required an understanding of a simple principle used in engineering, with examples from a variety of subdisciplines such as mechanical, civil, etc. Measurements and calculations were used to show how mathematics can be used to describe physical systems, and how theory and experiment compare.
We welcome the participation of other industry sponsors in the IOP. With increased sponsorship, we reach out and excite a greater number of young people about careers in science and engineering.