How to Begin Organizing TISP in your local Section Sohaib Qamer Sheikh, TISP Champion IEEE TISP Workshop 5 & 6 December 2015 Athens, Greece

How to begin a TISP activity? Build interest in the membership Build relationships with schools and school districts TISP Two pronged approach: Build interest in the membership Build relationships with schools and school districts Teachers, headmasters, principals, superintendents

The IEEE Volunteer and TISP IEEE Members are very generous with their time IEEE Members are very willing to share their experiences Educational Outreach events receive enthusiastic volunteer support

Two types of TISP volunteers TISP Champions - take responsibility to establish and maintain a TISP program in “their” school system TISP Trainers - energetic supporters of the initiative, willing to interact with teachers and serve as “coaches” during TISP presentations You need BOTH

TISP Champions TISP Champions take the leadership of organization, preparation, and logistics of the program Champion Roles: Organizers Recruiters Presenters Events Planner Liaison with Section Once energized, champions are self motivated The reward for the TISP Champion is immediate—they see their reward on the faces of the teachers (and sometimes students)

Growing Your TISP Champions Focus on TISP Champions - the TISP lifeline Invite/Recruit/Draft potential IEEE Champions to established events Use TISP presentations to train future Champions Use TISP presentations to cross-train the other TISP Champions

How to Develop Champions Teaching Approach: See one, Do one, Teach one Team Approach: Co-Champions support a school or school system, but responsibilities are spread among them

TISP Trainers Relatively easy to recruit Trainer Roles: Supporters Coaches Kit Builders Develop in-service content Very effective, need minimal training, genuinely enjoy the experience Their only responsibility is to "show up and do the work”

Recruiting Volunteers Articles placed in Section and Student Branch newsletters Announcements At Section and Student Branch meetings At Chapter meetings At Section Executive Committee meetings Informal contacts with fellow students Try to adjust the role of a volunteer to his/her comfort level and time availability

Qualities Needed You may enjoy working with teachers if you: Are a tactful communicator and are willing to play the role of classroom assistant Would like to learn and practice new methods of teaching - with less telling and more doing Enjoy immediate gratification

Sections must support the TISP Champions TISP Champions are rare and precious Encourage Section to Champion communication Online forum and resources to share information Encourage Champions to share ideas celebrate success reflect on failures Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.

Build Relationships with School Districts, Principals and Teachers People who have department- wide or city-wide responsibility for staff development, science, technology and mathematics These positions could be directors, assistant superintendents, supervisors, coordinators, etc Regional/City Science Education Coordinator Regional/City Technology Education Coordinator Regional/City Administrator (responsible for curriculum) Regional/City Mathematics Education Coordinator

Where to Start at the School Level? If you already are working with a teacher… Be sure to coordinate your activities with the school principal. School Principal Technology Education Coordinator Department Head for Science, Math, or Technology (middle or high school)

Plan Times and Places Special Events Places Teacher conferences Meetings of teacher organizations Places University Campuses Teacher conference venues

Sample Presentation Outline Introduction/Background (10 mins) Objectives (5 mins) Connection to Educational Standards (10 mins) 1 or 2 Group/Hands-on Activities Presentation on concepts and learning objectives (30 mins) Group work (45 mins) Debrief and discuss applications (20 mins) Summarization (10 mins) General Questions/Comments (10 mins) Distribute and collect 9-item questionnaire Complete District forms (if applicable)

Choose Relevant Topics Choose topics of interest to members Adjust topics to the needs of your school system Ask teachers, curriculum supervisors and curriculum specialists what topics are needed Tie to education standards Emphasize “hands-on” activities Be careful about cost to schools

We have many lesson plans Take advantage of the variety of free lesson plans available on the ‘Try’ sites Reviewed by engineers and teachers

Follow-up Activities/Metrics Count the number of educators who participated in your teacher in-service program Be sure that teachers complete the 9 item questionnaire EA will tabulate the results Follow-up with teachers to determine the level of implementation of the concepts and activities Consider a sign in sheet to include an email address Consider sending a follow-up postcard/e-mail to attendees

Thank You For Volunteering