K-14 STEM EDUCATION OUTREACH OFFICE

CEPS K-12 Outreach Highlights

Engineers Week 2022

ENGINEERS MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE WITH WYOMING’S LEARNERS 

Over 3000 third graders across Wyoming learned hand in hand with professional engineers as part of the nationwide DiscoverE Engineers Week (EWeek) February 21-25, 2022.  Since Wyoming’s EWeek began in 2015, the event has become a highlight in elementary classrooms.  EWeek 2022 mathced over 100 professional engineers with over 3000 of Wyoming’s 3rd grade students. During the event, professional engineers guide hands on activities which engage students in learning opportunities that teach fundamental engineering principles while inspiring problem solving and innovative thinking. 

Governor Gordon recognized the event on February 16, 2022 by signing the Professional Engineers Week Proclamation. The Proclamation states, “Professional Engineers are encouraging our young math and science students to realize the practical power of their knowledge.”    

EWeek Wyoming is a collaborative effort with the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (UWCEPS), Wyoming Engineering Society, Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, the DiscoverE organization, and Union Wireless.

None of this would be possible without the generous sponsorship of Andy and Kim Krieger, UW Alumni, and Union Telephone of Wyoming. The CEPS wishes to extend our sincerest appreciation for supporting this important outreach effort and helping to inspire the next generation of engineers.  

The Science Zone and professionals from WWC Engineering on Casper Mountain

The Science Zone in Casper held their Map It! Code It! Camp from June 14-18. Collaboration among the UW CEPS, the Science Zone, WWC Engineering, and Code Ninjas resulted in a fantastic experience for a group of 11-15 year old students. Students participated in authentic and hands-on learning during which they learned about mental maps, the purposes of maps, how to create scale drawings, understanding how to read topographic maps, and how GPS/GIS has changed the way we make maps.  Paul Heintz and Steven Cowley from WWC Engineering and Colleen Burridge, director of the Science Zone, worked with students on Casper mountain in the mornings to use GPS/GIS equipment to map Bear Trap Meadow. In the afternoons, Thea True and the Code Sensei at Code Ninjas helped campers use those measurements to code a video game and create the background and setting. 

Engineering Summer Program (ESP) 2021

The CEPS ESP for rising high school seniors took place June 21-24. What an amazing, insightful, and enthusiastic group! Kuddos for your hard work and can-do attitude to make this virtual camp so successful. Participants had fun while learning about combustion, the sustainable built environment, electronics, and bridges, water, and the world! Huge thanks to our instructors: Shawn Griffiths, Liping Wang, Bob Kubichek, and Erica Belmont. Also, thanks to David Mukai, David Bagley, Cam Wright, and Tyler Grabner for promoting the opportunities the CEPS has to offer. Finally, much appreciation to Brian Romero in the financial aid office and Kade Russow in the admissions office for taking the time to support the program. 

The Science Zone Casper visits UW and the CEAS

On Thursday, July 22, 8 students participating in a week-long mountain biking camp with the Science Zone in Casper stopped by UW to play in the 3D Cave at the Energy Innovation Center and tour the EERB. Students had a blast in the cave while touring the human brain, walking on Mars, visiting faraway places on Google Earth, learning about density, and so much more. Thanks to Jared and Jerry for your knowledge and guidance in the 3D Visualization Center! Following that, the students visited the EERB where they saw some labs at work and toured the maker space. Their schedule didn't allow a more in-depth exploration of the CEPS has to offer, and they wanted to see more. Plans for a future visit are underway! Thank you, Science Zone Casper, for visiting UW! 

Machine Learning for High School Teachers (ML4HST)

The very first session of the ML4HST teacher development workshop was a huge success! ECE professor, Dr. Suresh, and his team hosted this week long professional development opportunity for math, science, and technology high school teachers. Two high school students joined the sessions as well and provided valuable insight into how these concepts can best be used in the high school classroom. During this workshop, participants learned how to incorporate machine learning concepts into their classroom curriculum. The teachers and their high school student partners each received a NVIDIA Jetson Nano to take back to the classroom. Participating teachers and students came from Albany County SD1, Teton County SD1, Fremont County SD1, Fremont County SD 14, Uinta County SD 1, St. Stephens, and Johnson County SD1. 

Wyoming Air National Guard STEM Day

The air national guard invited the CEPS to partner with them for their first annual STEM day for high school students. We all had a great time visiting with high school students from Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. Dr. Suresh and his students represented the CEPS impressively with many interactive demos.