Middle school outreach program is a model for other ASME sections

Benedict Bahner
ASME News Online

ASME Metro Detroit Section members did more than just recognize the contributions of the engineering professionals within the section at their awards dinner last spring. They also honored three eighth-graders for their desire to pursue careers in engineering — albeit four years down the road.

During the ceremony at the Detroit Ritz-Carlton Hotel in April, the ASME Detroit Section awarded $100 cash prizes to three area middle school students who had written essays on the subject "Why I Want to Be an Engineer." More than 60 students from the Detroit area entered this paper-writing contest, the third sponsored by the Detroit Section.

Tom Libertiny (left) honors autoracing star Willy T. Ribbs for his help with the Metro Detroit Section's middle school outreach project. All photos © 2006, Matthew Martin, used by permission.

Tom Libertiny, the section's treasurer and one of the coordinators of the outreach program, described the entries from students this year as "fascinating. Not only have they decided to become engineers, they've already decided what type of degree to pursue — mechanical, electrical, chemical, manufacturing, and so forth."

The essay contest is part of the section's outreach program to area middle school students that aims to get them interested in engineering before they reach high school. "We want to reach out to them before they get to high school," Libertiny said, "By then, their college plans may already be set."

The Detroit Section's educational outreach effort also includes initiatives in which members volunteer to mentor area engineering students and science and math teachers, speak to area K-12 students, and advise middle school students participating in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League competition teams.

The endeavor has generated enough positive buzz that Willy T. Ribbs, the most successful African-American race-car driver, flew in from California for the event, Libertiny said. Ribbs not only gave the keynote address at the awards dinner, he also paid a visit to Ruddiman Middle School — where essay contest winners Brandon Johnson, Taleshia McCollogh, and Ariel Shorter were finishing up eighth grade at the time.

Willy T. Ribbs takes questions during his visit to the winning student's school, Ruddiman Middle School.

The Detroit pre-college outreach program grew out of a directive from the section's chair, Kent Alverson, who has made K-12 education activities a primary focus during his time in office. The pilot program, which Alverson coordinated with a committee of volunteers from his section, debuted during Engineers Week 2003. In addition to Libertiny, those volunteers included Mary Straffron, the vice chair of the section, and Mallik Bennur, the section's secretary.

"Many middle school students do not consider a career in engineering because they have a limited understanding of the profession," Alverson said. "We have a diverse group of volunteers, representing multiple engineering disciplines. This helps to dispel some of the students' preconceived stereotypes about engineers."

The section is planning to expand the outreach program for the 2006-07 academic year, and is currently seeking sponsorships from local businesses in order to begin developing additional high-profile events for the Detroit area, Libertiny added.

If you are interested in initiating a similar outreach program in your ASME section, Libertiny said he would be happy to offer some pointers. You may contact him at libertinyt@asme.org.

For more information on the Metro Detroit Section's K-12 activities, including sponsorship opportunities, visit its Web site at www.asmeDetroit.com or contact Kent Alverson directly at alversonk@asme.org or (248) 735-5249.

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