Thank you for your efforts to engage students in STEM exploration activities! Providing access to explore real-time, real-world application of STEM fields is critical for student growth and career awareness. We would love to visit your classroom, participate in your community events and more:
Engineers: Get Involved by Volunteering!
Your expertise and passion for the engineering industry can inspire the next generation of engineers. ACEC Indiana coordinates regional classroom visits, community events and more.
Sign Up to Volunteer and be added to a list of on-going outreach for volunteer opportunities that are local and relevant to you! Don't forget to share your experience! You may inspire others in our industry to get involved!
Post on Social Media! Volunteering is good for the industry but also good for your company brand.
Be sure to tag @ACECIndiana on your posts and include #EngINeeringaBetterIndiana.
Contact ACEC Indiana! We would love to support your volunteer efforts and share/amplify your activities. We also would like to track volunteer activity and regions of the state reached, so we can continue to help support our workforce development efforts. Contact Liz Walker, Director of Workforce Development at lwalker@acecindiana.org.
Why STEM Outreach Matters
Engineers are critical to building our civil society and moving the world forward. ACEC Indiana is committed to attracting talent for the consulting engineering industry and developing a diverse, sustainable workforce. Despite Indiana hosting some of the nation’s most highly rated engineering institutions, there is simply not enough available talent to meet the needs of Indiana’s growing infrastructure demands. We must be part of the solution so that we may inspire the next generation of engineers. STEM outreach allows our industry to:
Foster Innovation: STEM education and hands-on activities encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, essential skills for innovation and navigate the increasingly complex world.
Promote Diversity and Inclusion: STEM outreach initiatives often aim to reach underrepresented groups, including women and minorities, who may face barriers to entry in STEM fields.
Address Societal Challenges: Many of the world's most pressing challenges that impact civil society require innovative solutions rooted in STEM disciplines.
Address the Skills Gap: Many industries, including engineering, face a shortage of skilled professionals.
Key Messages to Share
Engineers change the world! Engineers design projects that impact civil society, build smart cities, impact the quality of life for residents in communities and protect the environment.
Engineering is more than math. Engineers solve problems, think creatively, lead projects and work as a team.
Engineering work is diverse. Engineers work in a variety of locations and conditions.
Engineering careers have strong job security in the State of Indiana! Infrastructure is highly supported by federal, state and local governments, as well as private investment.
Classroom Presentations
Are you looking for the best outreach tools to help introduce engineering in the classroom? Explore these resources to support your students’ career exploration and critical thinking.ACEC Indiana has developed new materials for classroom presentations, including handouts and activity books (elementary). If you have never volunteered before, consider viewing tips on Getting Started as a Classroom Volunteer by DiscoverE. Please consult with your classroom teacher to determine which materials are most age-appropriate for your students. Above all, remember to be a role model for your students!
Want to leave behind additional tools for engineering career exploration? The following resources may give your students a chance to explore engineering. Whether they have five minutes or five months, they’ll learn more about themselves, refine their goals, gain a richer perspective about the world of engineering, and maybe even boost their college applications!
Hands-on activities allow students to explore engineering concepts and apply knowledge to real situations. Think outside the box with these resources:
DiscoverE is the go-to resource for the messaging and activities that provoke excitement and exploration in engineering and STEM. DiscoverE is committed to coalition building and providing free programs and resources for volunteers and educators to introduce students to engineering and tech.
TeachEngineeringis a growing collection of 1900+ FREE, hands-on, standards-based K-12 lessons and activities that engage students and enhance science and math learning through the use of hands-on engineering.
