The National Engineers Week Committee and the Fort Worth Section of the IEEE are calling on engineers from every field to give a few hours of their time this fall and winter to introduce local young people at middle schools in the Metroplex to a career in engineering though the National Engineers Week Future City CompetitionTM. Since its founding in 1993, this educational program has made engineering come alive for tens of thousands of students around the nation.
The Future City Competition, now in its eighth year, asks middle school students (7th and 8th grades) from around the nation to create - first on computer and then in large, three-dimensional models - their visions of the city of tomorrow. And while this might conjure up images of monorails and limitless cheap power from cold fusion (and, indeed, many of the student designs use those very ideas), the real work involves building and operating a city efficiently and within budget. For most young people, it's a hurdle that requires all the help they can get.
And that's where you come in. Volunteer engineer mentors, working with the students and their teacher, help to guide the team through the intricacies of what makes a town tick. According to one volunteer, "This competition not only provides an exciting hands-on way to learn about engineering, math, and science, but also provides a personal, real-world connection. The time these volunteer engineers spend with the students is only one or two hours a week, yet the impact continues for a lifetime."
We are introducing the Future City Competition to the Metroplex for 2000-2001. We are looking for volunteers to work with the school teams and on the organizing committee. The Fort Worth/Dallas regional competition will take place in January 2001. Along with prizes sponsored by local companies, the winning team will travel to Washington, DC for the national finals during National Engineers Week, and the national champion will receive a free trip to US Space Camp in Huntsville. Anyone interested in participating should contact Jean Eason, j.eason@ieee.org.
Future City Competition is sponsored by the National Engineers Week Committee, a consortium of engineering societies and major US corporations. Co-chairs of National Engineers Week 2001, February 18-24, are the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and IBM.
Continuing its tradition of excellence for the 15th year, Metrocon spotlights the latest trends in technology in the Metroplex. This year's program comprises three tracks: Enabling Technologies, Internet, and Telecommunications with training opportunities ranging from introductory to advanced. Join us Wednesday, 27 Sept. at the Wyndham Hotel in Arlington.
The highlight of the meeting will be the luncheon keynote presentation: Tesla: Master of Lighting by Robert Uth, writer, producer and director of a Public Broadcasting System documentary on the inventor. Nikola Tesla's early discovery of the alternating current motor led him to America from Serbia to seek a venue for his discovery. Here he developed the polyphase AC system of power transmission, which drives every home and industry in the country. He invented the Tesla coil to create high-frequency electricity, and with it neon and florescent lighting, radio transmission, remote control, and hundreds of other devices which are now an essential part of our everyday lives. He received the AIEE's (predecessor to IEEE) highest award in 1916 "for meritorious achievement in his early original work in polyphase and high-frequency electrical currents."
In addition to the keynote, this year's program will feature presentations on:
The program overview and registration information are presented in the color insert to this issue of Signals or consult www.ieee.org/regional/section/fortworth/ for more details.
Educating.net (www.educating.net/) is an education search engine with information on homeschooling, traditional or distance learning university degrees, college scholarship assistance, K-12 teacher resources, homework help, teacher resources, references, electronic libraries, continuing education, professional re-training, fun learning, and more.
Argonne National Laboratory's free online service, Newton (www.newton.dep.anl.gov/), provides help tackling tough science questions with "Ask a Scientist,'' where teachers and students can pose questions to scientists and engineers on subjects including astronomy, biology, chemistry and physics. Thousands of previous questions and answers are archived on the web site.
Discover Engineering Online (www.discoverengineering.org/) lets kids investigate a host of engineering achievements. Aimed at inspiring interest in engineering among America's youth, the site is a vast resource that its developer, Eastman Chemical Company, co-chair of 1999 National Engineers Week, hopes will tantalize users to take a serious look into the world of engineering.
The BBC Science in Action web site (www.bbc.co.uk/sia) includes: Interactive puzzles, "Stella's Action Lab" where students can try out experiments in a 'virtual laboratory,' Investigation pages, and Communication where students can send in their scientific ideas and puzzles. The BBC also hosts a website (www.bbc.co.uk/education/schools) with loads of information for educators on interactive learning resources for children at home and at school.
TestU (demo.testu.com/www/mission.htm) is launching a free SAT-preparation program for students who enroll on its website. TestU joins a crowded field of SAT preparation services that includes Kaplan Inc. and Princeton Review Inc. In addition, the online venture of the College Board (collegeboard.com), which sponsors the SAT program, is scheduled to start in the fall.
The Internet Learning Network web site (www.getsmarter.org/), developed by the Council on Competitiveness, allows eighth graders to compare their performance in math and science to that of their peers worldwide, using an interactive web site that presents a version of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Note: Further development of the site will include expansion to 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 12th grades. The site will also provide practice opportunities and hints, tutorials, links to other sites, and materials that explain why math and science matter.
FREE (Federal Resources for Educational Excellence) is a Department of Education website (www.ed.gov/free) that makes hundreds of learning resources from over forty federal organizations available and searchable in one place. A few of the current science and mathematics resources include:
by Merrill W. Buckley, Jr, President IEEE-USA
The Uniform Computer Information Transaction Act (UCITA - rhymes with, 'you don't need a') will turn you from someone who owns information technology, to someone who is allowed - for a time, and at a price, as long as you don't make it work better - to use other people' s property. It's a bad idea, which is why the IEEE-USA is fighting it on your behalf.
In a way, UCITA is an attempt by software manufacturers to modernize the different state laws that govern commerce, which are often outdated. But the actual "one size fits all" UCITA law amounts to little more than a free pass for the software industry. If you work with computers, especially if you like to tweak and tinker with technology, you should oppose UCITA.
Consider the following true life example. A contractor buys software to prepare the complex bids on which his business depends. All he has to do is fill out pre-programmed forms with all the variables, and it will tell him what to bid, to meet his needs with the all-important competitive edge to get the contract. So he carefully works out what materials he needs, staffing, and budget projections - and he confidently offers what he is certain will be the winning bid.
But it's not. A competitor bid less. Astonished, he double-checks his losing bid - by hand this time, to learn that the software wasn't so reliable after all. It added when it should have subtracted - costing him the contract, maybe killing his company.
In most states, he could sue the software maker for a defective product. But by buying the software with its liability-waiving license, he had given up the right to sue.
Not only will UCITA be a kind of "get out of jail free" card, handed over to the software manufacturers every time we buy or use software, or anything that has software in it, but it will also have a chilling effect on innovation and competition - to say nothing of accountability - for software makers and users alike. If you tweak your devices to work better, you may have violated your license - not to speak of professionals who reverse-engineer for improvements or compatibility. And if you violate your license, UCITA authorizes the software maker to disable your equipment.
UCITA is a battle to be fought, state by state - not the US Congress. Go to www.ieeeusa.org/grassroots/ucita to find out if your state legislature has taken up UCITA, and what you can do to fight it.
IEEE-USA OPPOSED USPTO FUNDING CUTS - In a letter to members of the House and Senate, IEEE-USA stated its opposition to the allocation of fees collected for the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as passed by the House of Representatives in the House Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill (H.R. 4690). If adopted, the legislation would divert $295 million of USPTO fees to fund other federal agencies - forcing the USPTO to either reduce its staff or raise its fees to maintain its current operational budget. See www.ieeeusa.org/forum/index.html.
PANEL OUTLINES SCENARIOS FOR NEAR-TERM FUTURE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS - Representatives of IEEE-USA's
Committee on Communications and Information Policy presented a panel session on
"The Impact of Future Telecommunications Infrastructures" as part of
the Internet and Society 2000 Conference at Harvard University on May 31-June
2. See www.ieeeusa.org/forum/index.html
for details of the presentations.
PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT
EIGHT NEW 'WHAT'S NEW @ IEEE' NEWSLETTERS - The IEEE published the first issues of eight new "What's New @ IEEE" electronic newsletters. The service now offers 10 opt-in newsletters and has more than 15,000 total subscriptions. "What's New @ IEEE" provides monthly e-mail updates on IEEE activities, technology trends, career development tips, IEEE member benefits, upcoming conferences and new products. For the complete list of "What's New @ IEEE" newsletters or to subscribe, visit www.ieee.org/whats-new.
FAP OFFERS MEMBERS SAVINGS ON COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE - For the first time, IEEE members enjoy a deep selection and discounted prices on over 100,000 name brand computer products. A secure server provides online, real-time access to all pricing and inventory. A full service call center is also available to answer questions. For more information, visit: www.ieee.org/services/financial/fap/programs/business_services/computer.html
DISCOUNT ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT COURSES - Management Concepts, a global leader in project management training, is offering classes to IEEE members at a special 10% discount. Among the 35 Project Management courses offered are:
The Management Concepts courses join the growing list of educational opportunities to be found at the IEEE professional development institute (PDI) when it opens in September 2000. The IEEE PDI will maximize life long learning and professional development opportunities for IEEE members globally.
To register or for full course selection and schedules visit www.mangementconcepts.com/ or call 1.800.232.9096. The IEEE member discount can be applied to any course offered by Management Concepts. For further information contact Alan Trembly, a.trembly@ieee.org.
NEW ELECTRON DEVICES COURSES - Experienced engineers looking for a lot of information in a little time could benefit from the IEEE EDS Vanguard short courses. The IEEE Electron Devices Society has developed this series of one-day courses designed to provide a short burst of information to those interested in cutting-edge devices and circuits areas. See www.ieee.org/organizations/society/eds/2000courses.html.
ABET EVALUATORS SOUGHT - The IEEE Educational Activities Board is seeking engineering professionals from industry, government, and academe to serve as program evaluators for accrediting engineering and engineering technology programs at US universities. Nominations will be accepted through 31 October. The IEEE members selected will attend a one-day training seminar on the IEEE/ABET accreditation process. After training, these program evaluators will visit engineering and engineering technology departments across the country on behalf of the IEEE and ABET. Evaluation sessions take place each fall and generally run two to three days. See www.ieee.org/organizations/eab/or contact eab-accred@ieee.org.
NEW TRAVELER INFORMATION SITE - Now you can learn all about a country before visiting it from the IEEE Global Travel Services Web site at www.ieeetravelonline.org/. Under "Services," click "Country Information for the Business and Leisure Traveler." There you'll find news and information on weather, public transportation, cuisine and more.
HISTORY CENTER RESOURCES FOR MEMBERS - The IEEE History Center can help IEEE members promote the history of information and electrical technologies in articles, brochures and advertisements. Here are some available resources: More than 5,000 historical photos; Over 380 oral histories of individuals who have made important contributions to their fields, as well as significant IEEE members and employees; An archive of unpublished records of the IEEE and its predecessor societies; An historical reference service. Visit www.ieee.org/organizations/history_center/.
FRANKLIN HOUSE REVITALIZED AS MUSEUM WITH IEEE HELP - Benjamin Franklin's last remaining home located in London, U.K. is to become a living museum for public benefit. The IEEE Foundation General Fund Grant of $100,000 will help recreate Franklin's laboratory at 36 Craven Street, bringing science to life while offering inspiration and fostering scientific creativity for visitors. See www.rsa.org.uk/franklin/.
Recognizing our Section members for their long-time commitment to the profession on the anniversary of their joining IEEE.
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Susie ChemE hasn't replaced the graduated cylinger yet. Now she has three bottles that hold 8, 5, and 3 cc. The 8-cc bottle is full of a solution that she must divide into two equal parts. She can do it with seven pourings. Can you?
Answer to May's Brainbuster
Susie ChemE poured 54 cc of water into a beaker from a graduated cylinder then accidentally broke the cylinder. She only wanted 50 cc in the beaker, so she found 3 identical test tubes and with eight pourings back and forth was able to end up with 50 cc.
Here are the volumes of water in each container:
| BEAKER | TEST TUBES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| 18 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 36 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 42 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 48 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 48 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 50 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Jean Eason, Editor