On December 5th, SWE celebrated its birthday at Daniel Arthur’s, 821 3rd Avenue Southeast in Cedar Rapids, with cocktails, plentiful food, learning about STEM outreach opportunities in the area. There were approximately 30 people in attendance and it enhanced a great environment for networking.
Our keynote speaker, Linda Snow-Solum, Senior Director of Engineering Infrastructure Development and Lean at Rockwell Collins and SWE-ECI member spoke about her experiences with STEM outreach. She encouraged us to get involved in the community to spread the word and shed a positive light on STEM. Linda serves on the board of Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN) and recently finished her term as President of Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS).
Our evening also featured spotlight speaker presentations from local organizations. Chad Simmons, Executive Director of Diversity Focus, spoke about the importance of creating an inclusive environment and community here in Cedar Rapids, IA. For more information, please visit http://www.diversityfocus.org/.
Jean Oberbroeckling, Iowa Regional Coordinator for Future Cities, spoke about the competition called Future Cities where groups of students work as a team with an educator and engineer mentor to plan a city of the future using SimCity™ 4 Deluxe software; research and write solutions to an engineering problem; build tabletop scale models with recycled materials; and present their ideas before judges at Regional Competitions in January. To get involved as a judge or an engineering mentor, please contact Jean at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank">oberlueck@southslope.net or visit http://futurecity.org/.
Laurie Worden, Program Coordinator of Workplace Learning Connection, spoke about encouraging a liason between corporations and students to help them gain a clear vision of their future. WLC became a self-sustaining, not-for-profit Kirkwood department under the Kirkwood Community College Foundation continuing to provide high quality, age-appropriate career exploration for the K-12 population.WLC coordinates career speakers, career fairs, worksite tours, job shadows, internships, and teacher professional development to help districts meet Iowa Department of Education mandates for Career Development and help area students become better informed in their post-secondary education and career decisions. For partnership opportunities, please visit this link. Kasey Keeling, also representing WLC, talked about the upcoming SWEET, Society for Women Exploring Engineering and Technology, event on Dec. 18th for young women interested in engineering technology. This event will have approximately 160 students attending ranging from grades 7 through 12. Please contact Kasey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank">kasey.keeling@kirkwood.edu for volunteer opportunities.
The evening was a great opportunity for all of us to take back pearls of wisdom and inspiration to our workplaces and personal lives. Thank you to all that were able to attend and make this event a huge success!
Our evening also featured spotlight speaker presentations from local organizations. Chad Simmons, Executive Director of Diversity Focus, spoke about the importance of creating an inclusive environment and community here in Cedar Rapids, IA. For more information, please visit http://www.diversityfocus.org/.
Jean Oberbroeckling, Iowa Regional Coordinator for Future Cities, spoke about the competition called Future Cities where groups of students work as a team with an educator and engineer mentor to plan a city of the future using SimCity™ 4 Deluxe software; research and write solutions to an engineering problem; build tabletop scale models with recycled materials; and present their ideas before judges at Regional Competitions in January. To get involved as a judge or an engineering mentor, please contact Jean at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank">oberlueck@southslope.net or visit http://futurecity.org/.
Laurie Worden, Program Coordinator of Workplace Learning Connection, spoke about encouraging a liason between corporations and students to help them gain a clear vision of their future. WLC became a self-sustaining, not-for-profit Kirkwood department under the Kirkwood Community College Foundation continuing to provide high quality, age-appropriate career exploration for the K-12 population.WLC coordinates career speakers, career fairs, worksite tours, job shadows, internships, and teacher professional development to help districts meet Iowa Department of Education mandates for Career Development and help area students become better informed in their post-secondary education and career decisions. For partnership opportunities, please visit this link. Kasey Keeling, also representing WLC, talked about the upcoming SWEET, Society for Women Exploring Engineering and Technology, event on Dec. 18th for young women interested in engineering technology. This event will have approximately 160 students attending ranging from grades 7 through 12. Please contact Kasey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank">kasey.keeling@kirkwood.edu for volunteer opportunities.
The evening was a great opportunity for all of us to take back pearls of wisdom and inspiration to our workplaces and personal lives. Thank you to all that were able to attend and make this event a huge success!
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