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TryEngineering & Keysight Partner Together

TryEngineering is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Keysight! The goal of this collaboration is to build awareness of engineering in pre-university students, through the promotion of key lesson plans. It is essential to build this awareness, so that we can inspire the next generation of innovators to pursue engineering and STEM fields. Keysight and TryEngineering will also work together to develop additional lesson plans based around electronics, and the power of simulations.

Officially established in 2014, Keysight’s focus is on electronic measurement instruments and equipment, and empowering innovators to bring their world changing technologies to life. Since their inception, Keysight has continued to innovate in electronic measurement, and has provided solutions for a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and telecommunications. The company’s roots trace back to Hewlett-Packard (HP), who also contributed significantly to advancements in STEM. Keysight also has a strong commitment to workforce development through pre-university STEM outreach, which makes them a perfect partner for TryEngineering.

Together, TryEngineering and Keysight will be collaborating to develop lesson plans that will inspire the engineers of tomorrow. These lesson plans will span a variety of STEM topics, difficulty levels, and age ranges. Any teacher or educator will be able to find an applicable topic for their students, no matter what their level or interests are! There are a number of lesson plans already available, with many more currently being developed. Be sure to visit the newly launched partnership page to learn more, and check back frequently to view new lesson plans as they are added.

The newest of these lesson plans is the Light Up Name Badge. In this lesson, even the youngest students will learn the basics of circuitry; such as the basic components of a circuit, series and parallel circuits, and electronic component symbols.

Students will be able to apply their newfound knowledge in a design challenge where they create a light-up name badge of their own name!

To hear more about TryEngineering and Keysight’s partnership, please join us on 17 April 2024, at 10:30 AM (EDT) for a webinar: TryEngineering & Keysight: Inspiring the Engineers of Tomorrow.

Learn more about TryEngineering during IEEE Education Week!

TryEngineering is dedicated to providing educational resources, inspiration, and guidance that empowers educators, counselors, and their students around the world, fostering the next generation of technology innovators.

TryEngineering is excited to announce two pre-university webinars taking place during IEEE Education Week!  Below you will find the details and registration links:

Diversifying the STEM Workforce with Global Classroom Visits” will be held on 16 April at 11am (ET). Learn more about this program which allows educators and engineers to connect!  Register here, or read more about the program.

TryEngineering & Keysight: Inspiring the Engineers of Tomorrow” will be held on 17 April at 10:30am (ET). Register here, or read more about the program.

We look forward to you joining us for these exciting and informative webinars!

Celebrate Pi Day!

Every year on March 14th, the world comes together to celebrate Pi Day! This special day is in honor of the mathematical constant Pi, which is represented by the Greek letter π. Pi is used to represent the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, and is necessary to solve problems in fields such as engineering, architecture, robotics, and physics.

π is a mathematical constant, which means it is a symbol that represents a fixed value. π is also an irrational number, which means it has a decimal that does not end, and has no repeating pattern. So far, over 50 trillion digits past the decimal point have been calculated for π! But if you enter π into a calculator, you will just get the first 10 digits – 3.141592654.

The History of Pi Day

Pi Day was first celebrated in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw, an employee at the Exploratorium, a science museum in San Francisco. March 14th was chosen as Pi Day because the date, written as 3/14 in the month/day format, matches the first three digits of π (3.14).

March 14th also happens to be the birthday of renowned physicist Albert Einstein, which adds another layer to the celebration of mathematics and science on this day!

How do we use Pi?

Have you ever looked at a circle and wondered how to figure out how big it is? That is where we use π.

π tells us how many times the diameter of a circle fits around it. The diameter is the distance across the circle at its largest point, from one side to the other, and the circumference is the distance all the way around the circle. If we know the diameter, we can use π to figure out the circumference.

Simply take the diameter, multiply it by π, and you will have your answer!

Suggestions for Celebrating Pi Day

Just like the decimal places in π, there are endless ways to celebrate Pi Day, either at home or in the classroom! Here are just a few ideas:

  • Pi Counting Contest: Have students participate in a π counting contest, and see who can list the most decimal places in the correct order! The current world record is held by a student from the Vellore Institute of Technology in India, who counted to 70,000 decimal places!
  • Measure and Enjoy a Pie: A fun and delicious way to get students interested in Pi Day is with an actual pie! Enjoy a pizza pie or a dessert pie, but before you dig in, have your students calculate the circumference of the pie using π
  • Expand your Knowledge: Celebrating and learning about π is also a great opportunity to expand your knowledge in other areas of math and science! TryEngineering has you covered with our lessons exploring algorithms: Fun with Sorting and Complexity – It’s Simple!

Announcement: IEEE Pre-University STEM Grant Recipients 2024

IEEE STEM Grant Program

The STEM Portal Grant Program is designed to spur STEM outreach and innovation by providing funding to IEEE volunteers to develop new STEM programs or enhance (or maintain) existing programs. The programs engaged with students, teachers, parents, and volunteers all over the world, providing opportunities for STEM exposure, learning, and training. The 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 grant programs combined funded 144 programs, awarded over $176,379, and represented 6 IEEE Regions. 

2024 IEEE STEM Grants Awarded

This year, a total of 53 grant programs were selected to receive a combined funding of $60,298. The grants awarded are categorized into the following levels:

  • Inspire Level (Each awarded $1,001 to $2,000) – 20 programs awarded totaling $37,030
  • Share Level (Each awarded $501 to $1,000) – 17 programs awarded totaling $15,669
  • Introductory Level (Each awarded up to $500) – 16 programs awarded totaling $7,599 

 

 

Donations to the IEEE TryEngineering Fund of the IEEE Foundation are used to support the IEEE STEM Grant Program. Thank you to all of the donors who help make this program possible. If you would like to contribute to IEEE TryEngineering programs, please make a donation via our IEEE TryEngineering Fund donation Page.

 

 

The IEEE Communications Society provided $5,000 in funding awarded to grant programs with a communications engineering focus. 8 programs were awarded with this funding.

 

The IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society provided $5,000 in funding awarded to grant programs with an ocean engineering focus. 1 program was awarded with this funding.

 

 

The IEEE Signal Processing Society provided $3,000 in funding awarded to grant programs with a signal processing engineering focus. 3 programs were awarded with this funding.

 

IEEE Women in Engineering provided $1,000 in funding awarded to grant programs with a women in engineering focus. 1 program was awarded with this funding.

 

Congratulations to the following 2024 IEEE STEM Grant recipients:

 

Inspire Level ($1,001 to $2,000)

  • Avengers of Innovation: Empowering Girls in IoT and 5G Universe – $1,685 – IEEE Malaysia ComSoc/VTS Joint Chapter – Region 10 – Funded by IEEE ComSoc

  • Bootcamp Robotics for High School – Institut Teknologi Indonesia – $2,000 – EE ITI Student Branch – Region 10

  • Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Tribal Students in Idukki through Technology – $1,500 – IEEE CS SBC GECI – Region 10

  • Building Brilliance: Unleashing the Power of STEM Education for Lower Secondary Students in Perlis, Malaysia – $2,000 – Universiti Malaysia Perlis – Region 10

  • Codeathon Junior – $1,985 – University of Jaffna – Region 10

  • CodeQuest – Unleashing Talent in Sri Lankan Schools (Coding Workshop and Competition) – $2,000 – IEEE Computer Society Chapter of University of Kelaniya – Region 10

  • ConnectXperience: The Journey into the World of IoT – $2,000 – IEEE Education Society & IEEE Education Society Young Professionals Adhoc Committee – Region 10

  • Design-Bots: Crafting Customized Robots with Laser Cutters and 3D Printers – $1,350 – IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) – Region 10 – Funded by IEEE WIE

  • IEEE Signal Processing K12 STEM Program – 4th edition on Wheels – $2,000 – IEEE SPS Bangalore Chapter – Region 10 – Funded by IEEE SPS

  • IEEE WIE DAY 2024 – $2,000 – IEEE Student Branch at Kenyatta University Women in Engineering Affinity Group – Region 8

  • IEEE Women in Ocean-STEM Experiential Program for Pre-university Students – $2,000 – IEEE KSRCT Student Branch Region 10 – Funded by IEEE OES

  • Innovate Ed:Fostering Innovation Through Project Expos – $2,000 – IEEE Signal Processing Society Bombay Section Chapter – Region 10

  • Inspiring Future Engineers: An IEEE STEM Activity in Lahore – $1,200 – IEEE YP Lahore Section Affinity Group – Region 10

  • Instrument-iT – $2,000 – IEEE PES Kerala Chapter – Region 10

  • Solar Schools – $2,000 – Trivandrum College of Engineering – Region 10

  • STEM EduAction 2024 – $2,000 – IEEE Malaysia Section – Region 10

  • Train the STEM Trainers in Secondary Schools- Multiplier Effect STEM Outreach – $2,000 – Nnamdi Azikiwe University – Region 8 – Funded by IEEE SPS

  • TryNano – The NanoQuest: Empowering Girls in STEM through Nanotechnology Exploration – $2,000 – Hyderabad Section Chapter – Region 10

  • Vidhya: STEM for Social Goodwill and Its Impact on Society – $2,000 – Thapar Institute of Engineering & Tech – Region 10

  • Workshop on Computer Programming and IoT for Regular dan Vocational High Schools in Subdistrict Baleendah, Bandung, Indonesia – $1,310 – IEEE Signal Processing Society (SPS) Indonesia Chapter – Region 10

Share Level ($501 to $1,000)

  • Arduino Adventures: Inspiring Future Engineers – $845 – IEEE SB PRC – Region 10 – Funded by IEEE ComSoc

  • Connecting Minds – Empowering Tomorrow’s STEM’s Champions – $900 – IEEE Kenyatta University Student Branch – Region 8

  • DISTEA: Empowering Disabled Students with Basic Science and Technology for Increasing Education Accessibility – $990 – IEEE Signal Processing Society Indonesia Chapter – Region 10

  • EmpowerED – $1,000 – National Engineering School of Carthage, WIE – Region 8

  • Empowering Girls: Hands-on Data Science & ML Expedition – $1,000 – American University of Nigeria – Region 8

  • Empowering Pre-University Students through Artificial Intelligence Education – $1,000 – Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College Bidar Karnataka India – Region 10

  • Exploring Sustainable Futures: Empowering Students with IoT-driven Aquaponics System for STEM Enthusiasts – $1,000 – Malaysia Section – Region 10

  • Hands on IOT Training: Exposing Rural Students to Opportunities in STEM – $940 – IEEE KU SB Student Branch – Region 10 – Funded by IEEE ComSoc

  • IEEE Women in Engineering Project-Based Learning School Camp – $1,000 – IEEE Women in Engineering Bangalore Affinity Group – Region 10

  • Inspire Tech – Bridging Minds, Building Futures – $1,000 – Trivandrum College of Engineering – Region 10

  • Inspiring Future Innovators with AI and Machine Learning – $974 – Multimedia Nusantara University – Region 10

  • Inspiring Futures – Girls’ STEM Exploration Workshop – $600 – IEEE Student Branch LBS College of Engineering-Kasaragod – Region 10 – Funded by IEEE ComSoc

  • Inter-Generation-Connection for STEM Frontiers: PhD Students and High School Students Mentorship Program – $800 – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology – Region 10 – Funded by IEEE ComSoc

  • Learn Programming with BOB-3 – $920 – Student Branch Hamburg University of Technology – Region 8

  • PhysicsForge: A 3-Day Workshop – Crafting Scientific Minds through Hands-On Experiments and Innovative Learning – $700 – Sri Sairam Engineering College – Region 10

  • STEM Empowerment for Young Minds in Isingiro District – $1,000 – IEEE Uganda Section – Region 8

  • YP EduEmpower – $1,000 – IEEE YP Bangalore Section – Region 10

Introductory Level (Up to $500 each)

  • Bridge the Gap: Pre-University Track – $200 – IEEE Computer Society Kerala Chapter – Region 10

  • Computational Thinking workshop for Rural School Students – $445 – Alva’s Institute of Engineering and Technology – Region 10

  • Curtin CyberCare: A Community-Driven Initiative for Cyber Wellness in Miri Secondary Schools – $500 – IEEE Curtin Malaysia – Region 10

  • Cyber Safety Awareness Through Community-based Empowerment in High-School of Jakarta, Indonesia – $498 – IEEE Indonesia Section – Region 10 – Funded by IEEE ComSoc

  • Development of a game Multiplayer Kuis (Gamukis) for students of senior high school 1 Cangkringan in increasing learning enthusiasm – $500 – Universitas AMIKOM Yogyakarta – Region 10

  • Empowering Pre-University Educators: Integrating STEM Excellence in Teaching Pedagogy – $500 – IEEE Student Branch, NMAMIT, Nitte – Region 10

  • Exploring the Future – An IEEE STEM Industry Tour in Indonesia – $500 – IEEE Student Branch Nusa Putra University – Region 10

  • IEEE Indonesia STEM Empowerment: Student Workshop Series – $500 – IEEE Student Branch Nusa Putra University – Region 10

  • IEEE Indonesia STEM Teacher Workshop: Empowering Educators for Future Innovators – $500 – IEEE Student Branch Nusa Putra University – Region 10 – Funded by IEEE ComSoc

  • IEEE STEM Education – $500 – IEEE Kharagpur – Region 10

  • Life as a Fairytale – $500 – Greece Section – Region 8

  • Shengineers – $478 – IEEE Udayana University Student Branch – Region 10

  • Spark it Up: Circuits 101 – $500 – IEEE SCET (Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology, Student Branch) – Region 10 – Funded by IEEE ComSoc

  • STEM Education Workshop 2024: Introducing the Internet of Things (IoT) to High School Students – $500 – IEEE Student Branch Institut Teknologi Nasional (Itenas) Bandung – Region 10

  • WIE Impact – $500 – Higher National Engineering School of Tunis, WIE – Region 8 – Funded by IEEE SPS

  • WiEducate – $478 – IEEE – VBIT SB – Region 10

Let’s Celebrate World Water Day!

World Water Day is celebrated every year on March 22nd! Founded by the United Nations in 1993, the goal of World Water Day is to highlight the importance of freshwater in today’s world, and raise awareness to address water and sanitation issues.

Did you know that only 1% of all the water on Earth is usable freshwater? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 97% of Earth’s water is salt water or undrinkable, and 2% is frozen in ice caps or glaciers. With the limited availability of freshwater, World Water Day is a great time to not only remind us of the importance of freshwater, but also to celebrate Earth’s water!

World Water Day 2024

Each year, the United Nations assigns a theme to World Water Day. For 2024, the theme is Water for Peace.

Water has the power to create peace or spark conflict. Water is a basic human need and right, so when water is scarce, polluted, or unevenly distributed, tensions can rise. Worldwide, over 3 billion people depend on water that crosses national borders. However, out of 153 countries that share rivers, lakes, and other freshwater resources with their neighboring countries, only 24 countries report that they have implemented cooperation agreements for their shared water. 

As the effects of climate change increase, the need to share water grows stronger. Public health, food, and energy systems are just a few aspects that are fueled by and depend on freshwater. By working together, water can be a stabilizing force for peace and prosperity.

How to Celebrate World Water Day

Even though many of these issues may appear larger than ourselves, we all have a part to play. There are plenty of ways that us as individuals, families, and communities can celebrate World Water Day and raise awareness.

  • Learn.
    • Visit the UN’s Water Facts page to learn more about the importance of water, and how water is involved with climate change, natural disasters, and even politics.
    • Utilize the SDG 6 Data Portal to view water and sanitation statistics in your country or region, or anywhere in the world.
    • Read the UN’s World Water Development Report when it is released on March 22nd.
  • Pledge.
    • Encourage students or individuals to pledge to actions that will promote water conservation and peace. Some ideas for pledges are:
      • Save water, by taking shorter showers and not leaving the tap on when brushing teeth.
      • Stop polluting, by not putting food waste, oil, medicine, or chemicals down toilets or drains.
    • At home or in the classroom, combine these pledges into a visual representation. Utilize a large board to create a “pledge wall”, and have students or individuals write or draw their water conservation pledges. Make sure to display this pledge wall in a prominent location to remind others of the importance of water conservation!
  • Act.
    • Raise awareness for World Water Day by using #WorldWaterDay on social media posts.
    • Organize or participate in a clean-up of rivers, lakes, or beaches in your community.
    • Reach out to your local elected officials, and encourage them to put more focus on water conservation.

World Water Day is also a great opportunity to help students understand how crucial engineering is to the access of clean water all around the world, and TryEngineering is here to assist! Be sure to check out our Ocean Engineering career page for more information!