1 1October 16, 2003 WPI Services for Corporations The University of Science and Technology. And Life. Dr. Martha N. Cyr Director of K-12 Outreach Pipeline Programs - a Comprehensive Approach

2 2October 16, 2003 WPI Services for Corporations Diversity in the Technological Workforce  Majority demographics shifting –From predominately male to female –From predominately Caucasian to African American, Asian & Hispanic  Little growth in minority participation in technical fields  Intellectual capital of under-represented groups untapped by field –9% engineering jobs held by women, yet 45% of workforce  Diverse technological workforce could revitalize corporations with new perspectives on old problems & new interpersonal / teamwork approaches  Full participation of women & minorities in engineering once moral goal, now critical for U.S. economic security

3 3October 16, 2003 WPI Services for Corporations WPI’s Technological Talent Pipeline  23.4% of WPI undergraduates are women  4.4% under-represented minorities (African American, Hispanic, Native American)  Campus benefits from diverse student body  Diversity, a priority for WPI (& industry!) –1991 Office of Minority Affairs (with funding from UTC) –1993 EMSEP minority retention program –1998 Strategic Plan goals of 30% women & 15% students of color by 2011 –2000 Office of Diversity & Women’s Programs –2001 Think Tank for Female & Minority Enrollment – President’s Cabinet “diversity” strategic initiative – Community Council focus on diversity & pluralism –2003 Office of K-12 Outreach

4 4October 16, 2003 WPI Services for Corporations Comprehensive K-12 Impact Paths WPI & Corporate Sponsors Teachers Parents & Mentors Guidance Counselors K-12 Students Professional Development Educational Opportunities Teacher Resources Implement Advise Direct Student Experiences

5 5October 16, 2003 WPI Services for Corporations Professional Development for K-12 Educators Number of WPI programs growing –Reaching over 600 K-12 educators annually  Math in Industry Summer Institute $100,000 needed annually  TeachScheme! project / workshops $30,000 needed annually  Massachusetts Academy of Mathematics & Science teacher programs  Pre-College Engineering for Teachers  Girls COUNT (Counselor Outreach to Under-represented students in Engineering & Technology)  Students of Color COUNT Thanks to EMC, Flinn Scientific, GE, Intel, & TI! seeking $100,000 annual sponsor

6 6October 16, 2003 WPI Services for Corporations Direct Student Experiences - academic year Support needed annually  Feb. - National Engineers Week Celebration (African American, Hispanic, Native American high school students) $1,200  Feb. - Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (high school) $1,200  Spring - Worcester regional Science Fairs at MassAcademy & WPI (middle / high school respectively) volunteer judges  June - FIRST Robotics post-season competition (high school) volunteer judges & $7,000  Sept. to April - Hoop Dreams (elementary / middle school) $3,000  Dec. - FIRST LEGO League state competition “RoboNautica” (middle school) volunteer judges & $4,000 Thanks to 3M, Banknorth, Coghlin Electric, GE, Intel, Mass Electric, & Tyco!

7 7October 16, 2003 WPI Services for Corporations Direct Student Experiences - summer  10 different programs reaching over 1,000 K-12 children  4-day commuter programs to 2-week residential programs  Programs dependent on corporate support Funds needed annually –Camp Reach $42,000 –GEMS (Girls in Engineering Math & Science) $23,000 –GEMS Jr. $7,000 –Strive $23,000 –Strive Jr. $7,000  Girls & under-represented minorities entering grades 7-12  Hands-on activities are fun, confidence builders, that demonstrate breadth & relevance of engineering  Expose to engineering, encourage to continue math & science, & motivate to excel academically Thanks to Fidelity, GM, Intel, Mercury Computer, Raytheon, TJX, UBS Financial, UTC, & Verizon!

8 8October 16, 2003 WPI Services for Corporations College Retention Programs dependent on corporate support  FIRST Robotics Team - seeking $100,000 annual sponsor  Women’s Industry Network –Professionals needed as mentors starting each fall –Quarterly dinner meetings seek $3,000 corporate sponsorship  EMSEP minority retention program - $40,000 needed annually  Student Professional Organizations –American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) –National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) –Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) –Society of Women Engineers (SWE) –Women in Electrical & Computer Engineering (WECE) Thanks to Cisco, GE, General Dynamics, Gillette, HP, Intel, Raytheon, Turner Construction, & UTC!

9 9October 16, 2003 WPI Services for Corporations Proven Success with Pipeline Programs K-12 Outreach –1/3 of Camp Reach alumni from ‘97 & ‘98 applied for 8 unpaid “teaching assistant” positions in Camp Reach 2002 –Established Engineering Pipeline program (EPiC) in Worcester high school to implement new MA engineering, technology & design K-12 frameworks –48 years as host for Worcester Regional Science & Engineering Fair for high school students –WPI’s current sophomore class includes 20 Frontiers ‘01 alumni College Retention –Freshman to sophomore year retention rate 90-92% Among best in country –76% graduation rate great: Nationally less than 1/2 students who enter engineering programs graduate as engineers

10 October 16, 2003 WPI Services for Corporations Conclusion WPI Asset –Technology / society emphasis appealing to under- represented students Benefits of supporting pipeline programs at WPI –Build corporate image: Sponsorship recognized in associated invitation letters, brochures, web sites, press releases, t-shirts, etc. –Opportunity for employee volunteers at sponsored events: Get to know & hire students! –Stewardship report within 10 months of substantial gift