The Speakers Forum is an exciting new program
developed by SEAONC to provide an opportunity for practicing professionals
to reach out to the younger generations. The program presents the
field of Structural Engineering with an emphasis on the role of
the Structural Engineer in society and the challenges it presents
as a career option.
The presentation is intended not only for those
considering a career in engineering, but also for those considering
other fields, as well as the public at large. The presentation will
cover the work we do, the career opportunities that exist, the activities
that are involved, the people we interact with, the education and
skills we rely upon, and the benefits of our profession. Sample
discussion topics include: how bridges and buildings are built,
how earthquakes affect our built environment, how we retrofit older
structures to make them safe for the public, how computers are used
to predict building behavior, how universities and research institutes
play a major role in our profession, and how we meet the challenges
of today's complex engineering projects.
The program is also extremely flexible and can
be as simple as a single class lecture or as complicated as a student/parent
general assembly. Class projects are also a possibility, as are
ongoing programs.
The first step is to express interest in the
program. The next step is to assemble an outreach team, composed
of a SEAONC volunteer(s) and an educational coordinator(s), e.g.
a teacher, a parent, a career-day coordinator, etc. The outreach
team will then tailor the experience to meet the needs of the team
and the necessary arrangements will be made. Ultimately the program
will serve as a fun and enjoyable learning experience for all involved!
If
you would like to join an outreach team simply send your preferred
contact information to office@seaonc.org
along with a brief description of your interests and expectations
for the program. You will be contacted as soon as a team can be
assembled!
Career Day Presentation
A sample presentation, intended for use in Career
Day presentations, is available for download in PowerPoint slide
show format. The slides were created with high school students in
mind, but can be easily tailored to meet the needs of other educational
levels. View or print the slides "with Notes" for our
suggestions for discussion on each slide. Feel free to insert slides
and photos to fit your own style and the needs of your team. It
is over 5 MB in size, so download carefully! Email any suggestions
for improvement to the presentation to office@seaonc.org.
