IEEE Fort Worth Section Newsletter
SIGNALS March 2002
News Digest
- FW Section: SMU's Institute of Engineering Education
- IEEE-USA: 2001 Salary Survey and Salary Calculator, Legislative Successes
- IEEE Global: Computer Society and Communication Society new products
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By Scot Williams, Oncor Group, Future City Judge, FW PES Chapter Chair
Although the number of teams competing this year jumped from ten to
fifty-seven, the 2002 Regional Future Cities Competition held January 26 at UTA came off a rousing success! Organizers flexed their organizational skills (and then some), and with the help of many teachers, mentors and volunteers, provided a fine introduction to engineering to several hundred 7th and 8th graders. The competition asks students to create -- first with SimCity 3000(TM) software and then in large 3-D scale models -- their visions of the city of tomorrow. Students work with engineer mentors who help guide them through fabricating a metropolis from the ground up, balancing a city budget and dealing with intractable social issues such as pollution and unemployment. They then present and defend their city to engineer judges at the competition.
"Few opportunities are given to our best and brightest students to explore the outer ranges of their imaginations. This exercise gave them free rein," said Jan DeLisle of McKinney Middle Schools. Eric Kuusisto, a seventh-grader at Ousley Junior High and a member of the school's team, said "Building the simulated city was more challenging than he thought it would be." "It's fun playing the game, but it's hard," he said. "You can't fool around in the game or you'll fail." "This is a better way of learning than that textbook stuff," said Adam McAllister, an eighth-grade student who has been working with one of the school's two teams. "This way, you get to learn with scales and hands on."
Debbie Curry of Crowley Middle School said, "One of the things my students learn each year we do this contest is concerning the wide variety of engineering fields. Many believe there are only one or two types. The students learn that a city is created, run and maintained by many people and that it takes teamwork. No one person can or does it all. They find that not everyone agrees on exactly how things will be done. They also know that sometimes you don't like what you see...and you wipe it out and start over."
The Regional winner, St. Thomas More Middle School of Baton Rouge, 
Louisiana, described their city CPOE as "the Coldest Place on Earth.
Extreme beauty . . International camaraderie. . Oasis at the bottom of the world. Perched in the dry valleys of Antarctica, CPOE is a city of nations protected from the elements by an innovative Thermo Pipe (ITP), Thermo-Dome and the Tran Antarctic Mountains." Other winning teams were Crowley Middle School and Dowell Middle School, McKinney. The first place team received an expense-paid trip to Washington, DC to compete in the national competition against winners from the 27 regional competitions where they received special recognition and awards for "Best Transportation System" and "Most Innovative Power Generation System." More than 30,000 middle school students from 950 schools participated nationally.
The students, parents and engineering community wish to extend a big THANK YOU to the following people for their tireless efforts. Thank you so much and congratulations on your success! The effect will be seen in our future cities.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: Jean Eason, Regional Coordinator, Lynnette Payne,
School Coordinator, John Colotta, Judging, Diane Collier, Awards, Lynn
Peterson and Marjorie Kohler, UTA Arrangements and Dick Collier, Alan Fletcher, Nancy Fletcher, Randy Moore, Candy Robinson, Ed Safford, Chris Terry and numerous engineering judges.
ENGINEERING MENTORS: Thomas McCaslin, Steve Metzler, Ron Carlson, Cathy
Daugherty, Tony Arikol, Jeff Miller, Mauricio Salinas, Gerry Ourada, Julie Kroll, Denise Miller, Jess Pettit, Marcia Kuusisto, Jimmy Seawright, Chris Letchford, Strick Hullender, Josephine Marroquin, Craig Lee, John Bishop, Steve Metzler, Sam Paxman, Ed Goodreau, John Makuta, Howard Eisenberg, Mark Miodus, Linda Bartlett, Paul Oehler, Ed Schuler, Will Regan, Mark Miodus and M. Potter.
OUTSTANDING TEACHERS: Carol Lipton, Janet Gerwer, Cathy Pantuso, Kiah
Albert, Janet Gerwer, Jan DeLisle, Janet Gerwer, Cathy Elise Landrum,
Shirley Newman, Claudia Mason, Ruth Stevens, Robert Adler, Dinardo Bazile, Diane Lovejoy, Jeana Voss, LaRaine E. Justice, Caroline Brady, Sheila Hamilton, Kiah Albert, Gail Paxman, Donna Palmer, Sheryl Schickedanz, Joann Haydel, Cindy DeSpain, Alison Statten, Cherie Oehler, Debbie Curry, Denise Gordon, Bailey Williams, Chanel Cottone and Courtney Roberts.
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SHORTAGE OF ENGINEERS SPURS CREATION OF THE INSTITUTE FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION AT SMU - The lack of qualified engineers is the single biggest issue in preparing for the economic growth in the 21st century according to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. That's why Hutchison helped secure $800,000 in federal funding to establish The Institute for Engineering Education at Southern Methodist University. The Institute will be the first-ever national institute supporting the advancement of engineering education from kindergarten through graduate school. "If we do not increase our commitment to engineering, we may find ourselves being the technicians and the users, rather than the creators and the developers, in the technology-driven world of the future," Hutchison said.
Initially, the Institute's three priorities will be to expand engineering and technology education to high school classrooms across the country, to develop one-year college preparatory programs for students who are not adequately prepared for engineering school, and to develop effective programs that will increase the likelihood that students interested in engineering actually graduate with a degree. Currently, fewer than 15% of high school students in the US graduate with the math and science courses required for science-based study in college. And of those who do enter engineering school, fewer than 40% emerge with engineering degrees.
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GAUGE YOUR WORTH WITH THE NEW IEEE-USA SALARY CALCULATOR - The IEEE-USA Salary Calculator for technical professionals is now available online. This easy-to-use salary comparison system allows users to find out instantly what they are worth in today's job market. By factoring in more than 70 variables, including industry, experience, education and geographic location, it's the most precise salary calculator of its kind. Updated monthly with consumer price index adjustments, the salary calculator is based on the precise formulas and solid data of the IEEE-USA Salary & Fringe Benefit Survey, 2001 Edition. A 12-month subscription is $9.95 for IEEE members.
ASIAN AMERICANS IN HIGH TECH HAVE HIGHEST INCOMES - Asian American IEEE members working as electro technology and information-technology professionals have the highest median incomes, the IEEE-USA Salary & Fringe Benefit Survey, 2001 Edition reveals. The survey shows that Asian-American US IEEE members had a median primary income of $99,000. Non-Hispanic whites were at $93,000, while those from "other" backgrounds - usually persons from India, Pakistan or the Middle East - had medians of $92,100. Hispanic members reported a median of $86,500, and non-Hispanic African Americans made $86,340. With more than 9,500 respondents, the survey revealed a median primary income of $93,100 for all US IEEE members in 2000. The IEEE-USA Salary & Fringe Benefit Survey, 2001 Edition can be ordered by IEEE members for $74.95 or non-members for $149.95.
IEEE-USA DATABASE HELPS CONSULTANTS FIND ASSIGNMENTS - Completely rebuilt for 2002, the online IEEE-USA Consultants Database offers many new or enhanced features, making it more powerful and easier to use. The site, which last year had more than 100,000 visitors, is the ideal online meeting place for consultants and prospective clients. Despite its name, the database is not limited to US IEEE members and clients. The database includes a profile of consultants' credentials, contact information and a link to their Web sites. Online banner ads can also be purchased to increase visibility, and data can be updated instantly.
HOUSE PASSES IEEE-USA-BACKED CYBER SECURITY BILL - On Feb. 6, the House of Representatives passed the IEEE-USA-supported the Cyber Security Research and Development Act (H.R. 3394) by a vote of 400 to 12. The five-year, $887.85 million bill would create new research and education programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) designed to promote innovative research in cyber security and to attract senior researchers and students into the field. The bill was introduced by House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Ranking Member Ralph M. Hall (D-TX) and has the support of the White House. Attention shifts now to finding a Senate sponsor(s) for companion legislation. See http://www.ieeeusa.org/releases/2002/020702pr.html or for background information http://www.house.gov/science/cyber.htm
US SUPREME COURT DISCUSSES IEEE-USA PATENT BRIEF - An IEEE-USA amicus curiae brief on patent rights received prominent attention in oral arguments before the US Supreme Court in the Festo Corp. v. Shoketsu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Co., Ltd. patent case. In Festo, the Court is considering to what extent the holder of an amended patent is barred from asserting patent rights against another inventor whose design is substantially the same as the patented invention. As an alternative to the "flexible bar" and "absolute bar" standards advocated by the opposing sides in Festo, IEEE-USA asked the Court to consider a "foreseeable bar," where holders of an amended patent give up protection for only those things that were foreseeable by persons familiar with the associated technology.
SIX MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO SHARE AWARD FROM IEEE-USA FOR STRENGTHENING US PENION, RETIREMENT SAVINGS - Representatives Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) and Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.) join Senators Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and James Jeffords (I-Vt.) as recipients of the 2001 IEEE-USA Award for Distinguished Public Service. They are being cited "for untiring efforts and effective leadership in successful Congressional action to strengthen America's private pension system and increase individual savings for retirement."
The award recognizes the Congressmen's leadership in passing the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. The law raises contribution limits for IRAs and workplace retirement plans, reduces vesting standards, improves the portability of earned benefits when workers change jobs, and expands pension coverage by making it easier for small businesses to establish retirement savings plans. These provisions have been a high public-policy priority of IEEE-USA since the organization was established in 1973.
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CHECK OUT ONLINE MAGAZINES FOR ARTICLES ON:
- BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL - Engineers spend several years preparing to enter the profession. But it takes more than an education to make engineers "professionals."
- ENGINEERING TRENDS: HOW WORK LIFE HAS CHANGED SINCE 9-11
- A-C-T N-O-W CRISIS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY Disasters can have a lasting effect on a company and its image. As such, companies need a solid crisis communication strategy.
- THE US AEROSPACE INDUSTRY: R&D FUNDING NEEDS FOCUS The Commission on the Future of the US Aerospace Industry has been charged with giving long-term direction to civilian and military avionics and space programs. Just how great a task is this?
- OUR NATION'S MISSILE DEFENSE
- ARE WE ON THE ROAD TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE?
IEEE EMAIL ALIAS DETECTS 158,000 VIRUSES IN 2001 - IEEE's Email Alias service with virus scanning stopped 158,126 viruses from being delivered to members in 2001. This free benefit offered to IEEE members is one of many advantages of an IEEE Email Alias.
IEEE FELLOWS ANNOUNCED - Two hundred fifty-eight IEEE Senior members have achieved Fellow Grade. The IEEE Fellow Grade is the most prestigious and highest grade achievable by any IEEE member. Members of the 2002 class represent more than 20 countries and are experts in a vast array of technical disciplines.
IEEE COMPUTER SOCIETY ANNOUNCES FREE ONLINE TRAINING COURSES - The society's new Distance Learning Campus offers 100 interactive, Web-based courses on subjects such as Java, Cisco, HTML, Unix and Windows Network Security. Courses include voiceovers, 3-D graphics, Flash animations, on-screen text, and "visual sentences" to turn complex concepts into easy-to-understand images. To join the IEEE Computer Society or any other IEEE technical society, visit www.ieee.org/addnewservices
IEEE COMSOC OFFERS TWO-DVD SET WITH 50 YEARS OF COMMUNICATIONS PAPERS FOR ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY - The IEEE Communications Society is commemorating its 50th anniversary in 2002 by issuing a two-DVD digital archive containing all papers published in six of its magazines and journals during the past half century and from its major conferences since 1999. The set, “Communications Engineering Technology: A Comprehensive Collection of Papers 1953-2001,” holds more than 28,000 peer-reviewed papers from more than 23,000 authors. Copies of the archive go on sale in March at $129 members and $999 for non-members. In addition, anyone who attends an IEEE ComSoc conference in 2002, such as ICC or GLOBECOM, will receive a copy of the DVD set with their full-paid registration.
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Copyright © 2002 The Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers, Inc. Permission to copy granted for non-commercial purposes.
Jean Eason, Editor