Volunteer Opportunities
As part of its ongoing effort to assist the affiliated engineering and technical societies and to support student outreach efforts, we have compiled information on various programs which are looking for funding and/or volunteers to support the program. In addition to these larger programs, many of the local engineering and technical societies are always looking for additional financial or volunteer support for their section / chapter activities; check out our list of Affiliate Societies to contact a particular society.
If you have a program you'd like to include on this site, please email Susan Best
In addition to these specific programs, Bentley Systems, Inc. has developed a site to assist those who would like to mentor or work with students. Check out the Be Mentors website
Other resources for engineers when working with students include:
Future City: Philadelphia Regional Future City Competition is a 501.c.3 educational outreach program of National Engineers Week. It is one of 40 Regional programs conducted throughout the country with the goal to introduce middle school students to the engineering profession. Students in middle schools in the Delaware Valley form teams who work with a teacher and an engineer mentor from September to January to:
- Design and lay out a city of the future using Sim4 computer software
- Build a table-top model using recycled materials illustrating one section of the city
- Write an essay on a specific topic
- Present the city model to teams of judges at an all day competition in January at the Philadelphia Sheet Metal Workers Facility on Delaware Avenue
Special Awards, made possible by our sponsors, provide the students the opportunity to present their cities to more than just the competition judges and provide them with a feeling of accomplishment even if they were not a finalist in the competition. Check out the website for more information, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities.
MATHCOUNTS: The MATHCOUNTS Competition Program provides the extra incentive and the perfect atmosphere for students to push themselves to achieve more in mathematics. Consisting of fun and creative problems, the MATHCOUNTS competitions have written and oral rounds, as well as individual and team components. Though challenging and non-routine, the competition problems focus on the 6th through 8th grade standards of the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics. MATHCOUNTS is run by each of the PSPE and NJSPE chapters. Each chapter can use volunteers and financial support to produce the competition.
Philadelphia FIRST: FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. There are four components: FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, Jr. FIRST LEGO League, FIRST LEGO League. The FIRST Regional Director, Don Bowers, can help connect volunteers with teams that need help. More information available on their website.
Engineers Without Borders - Mid-Atlantic Professionals: The village of Apatut, a 150-household community located approximately 200 miles north of Manila in the Philippines, is in need of a new potable water supply. Most residents obtain water from shallow wells within the village, resulting in a prevalence of diseases typically associated with poor quality drinking water. "Water for Life" has assisted Apatut in forming a water cooperative to oversee construction and maintenance of the water system, as well as the activities leading up to its construction. EWB-MAP will design and assist in the construction of the new water supply for the community. The design includes, a new deep well at the water source, storage tank sized for one day's worth of water, submersible electric pump, a sloped distribution pipeline, water treatment (if necessary) and distribution piping. Click here for more information.
ACE Mentor Program: The ACE (architects, constructors, engineers) Mentor Program is a national not-for-profit organization with chapters throughout the United States. The mission of the program is twofold: Engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in the integrated construction industry through mentoring and support their continued advancement in the industry through scholarships and grants. Students are recruited from both public and private high schools throughout Philadelphia, with special efforts made to reach the traditionally underrepresented populations of women and minorities.
Students are assigned to teams led by volunteer mentors from firms representing architects, construction managers, engineers (civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and environmental) and owners. Teams meet after school every other week with meetings held in the offices of mentor firms. Each team selects a project and goes through the entire design process learning various skills along the way. In addition to "office" meetings, teams go on field trips to actual construction sites. At the end of the school year, the teams gather to present their projects to assembled mentors, family and friends, much as an actual design team would present to a client. For more information, to get involved, or help sponsor, please contact Diana Eidenshink or click here.
Delaware Valley Science Fairs: Judging day for the Delaware Valley Science Fairs (DVSF) are generally the first Wednesday of April at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. Click here for more information on registration to participate as a judge or to help mentor students.
Build a House Contest : The Build A House...Build A Dream! Contest for Kids is an annual event hosted by Delaware Valley Habitat for Humanity. The contest raises both awareness of the need for affordable housing and funds for local Habitat homebuilding programs. This competition for 5th grade students from schools across the Delaware Valley is held in March. For information on how to participate as a contestant, volunteer or judge or be a sponsor, click here.
Sea Perch: The Sea Perch program introduces pre-college students to the wonders of underwater robotics. Part of the Office of Naval Research's initiative, "Recruiting the Next Generation of Naval Architects," this program teaches students how to build an underwater robot (called a Sea Perch), how to build a propulsion system, how to develop a controller, and how to investigate weight and buoyancy. The American Society of Naval Engineers Delaware Valley Chapter (ASNE-DV) and the Philadelphia Naval Surface Warfare Center brought the Sea Perch program to Philadelphia and Drexel University. The is held on a Saturday in April at Drexel University. For more information, to get involved, or help sponsor, please contact Joanne Ferroni or click here.
The Philadelphia Boosting Engineering Science & Technology (BEST) Competition involves student teams from middle schools, high schools, home schools, community colleges, and universities in different levels of robotic sophistication and mission requirements. In addition to being fun and educational, these competitions connect students and educators with employers and working professionals from marine industries, highlight marine-related career opportunities, and promote the development of technical, problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. Contact Velda Morris for more information and to participate in the Philadelphia regional competition.
MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) : MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) is an international underwater ROV competition for 6 through 12 grade students. The Pennsylvania competition is generally held in May in the SE Pennsylvania area. This STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activity builds students? problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and technical skills. By connecting students with employers and professionals from the workplace, the competitions also expose students to ocean-related career opportunities and help them to see the pathways to those careers. Competition and judging categories include Poster Display, Engineering Evaluation, Technical Report, and Robot Missions. Teams can register at www.MATErover.org! Contact MATE Pennsylvania Regional Coordinator Velda Morris at Velda Morris to get more information about getting involved in this wonderful and enriching activity!
Young Men In Charge Foundation: The Young Men In Charge (YMIC) Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to increasing the number of African American males in the engineering, science and law practices, through academic tutoring, mentoring and financial assistance programs. They are looking for engineers to work about 2 ? 3 hours every two weeks, from mid-January through April, mentoring youth in preparation for an April Science Fair. Contact Richard Roberts for more information about this and other programs they offer.
Chester County Futures - Mentoring Opportunity Chester County Futures is a poverty prevention program providing academic enrichment, mentoring, and scholarships for hundreds of deserving Chester County teenagers of limited means. Futures? students face unfair academic challenges brought on by poverty and its many pitfalls. Despite the odds Futures students have seen tremendous success with 100% of our student graduating high school and 90% continuing on to post-secondary education. The Talent Bank Mentoring is an essential facet of Futures' success and it consists of caring adults who donate an hour of their time to speaking to our students about a variety of topics including STEM education and the possible careers in these fields. For more information please check out the website or contact Mary Bienkowski.