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1. 20,000 Kids Give a Big Yes to Science and Engineering at the Expo |
by John Gagnon, promotional writer
An exuberant crush of nearly 20,000 students from Lower Michigan landed on Ford Field in Detroit Thursday for the 2007 YES! Expo, where they found many career opportunities, some inspiration and loads of fun.
“Have a passion and pursue it,” they were told by keynote speaker Steve Squyres of NASA.
For YES Expo is all about what these youngsters are going to do when they grow up, with a firm nudge in the direction of science and engineering.
Fifty-seven companies and organizations had exhibits at the expo, and 24 colleges and universities attended, including all 15 public institutions. All of them loved having an audience so large.
“I love it, and it gets bigger and better every year,” one participant said.
Companies showed off their products, ranging from Froot Loops to diesel engines. In the meantime, students eagerly made their way around the imposing facility and enjoyed riding hovercraft, making batteries from lemons, and building a model shed.
The music was loud and energizing, but no match for the groundswell of delight when Michigan Tech students hurled T-shirts into the crowd. It was Blizzard sending Frisbees to the hockey fans times 10.
Michigan Tech students were a major presence at the Expo. They manned 15 booths where they showed off their endeavors. Pete Radecki, a junior in mechanical engineering, headed up the Aerospace Enterprise team. They had a webcam, a space flight simulator and their NASA satellite. Radecki calls all that “eye candy,” a draw that leads to an opportunity to spread the message: “You get a great education here.”
The aerospace team demonstrated Tech’s storied student work ethic. They drove all night Tuesday, got a few hours sleep, and spent the rest of Wednesday setting up their exhibit. They did make it to the Red Wings game, won by the home team.
Just down the aisle from the aerospace team, Tech’s computer scientists were showing off seven video games, all made by students. One, Final Odyssey, six semesters in the making, is scheduled to be sold at Winter Carnival for three bucks a throw. Linda Ott, chair of computer science, said the video games are a good draw. “It works,” she says. “The kids love it.”
Lisa Shiver, who teaches at Cass Tech in Detroit, agrees. Simply put, she says, the expo is “kid-friendly.”
Shiver is a Tech graduate student in applied science education. She participated in International Design in the Dominican Republic. “It lit a fire in my heart,” she said. She wants to establish a precollege international program.
Her ties were emblematic. “Networking is huge,” says Pete Cattelino, Tech’s point person for Expo.
Susan Underhill of the Toyota Planning Center is an example. She attended the event with Jessica Ewing, a senior in business administration, who is on co-op with Toyota.
Underhill said that Michigan Tech is one of five universities where Toyota recruits in the Midwest.
Jennifer Allman, who works on Chrysler’s Dodge Ram unit, attended Summer Youth’s Women in Engineering Program, enrolled at Tech, graduated in 1996, and now recruits on campus. Michigan Tech has “a great reputation at Chrysler for producing well-rounded, hands-on, thinking engineers.”
Besides networking, diversity was a watchword at Expo, with many African Americans attending. They were welcome beyond political or social reasons. “Diversity is a huge competitive advantage,” said Jeff Paxhia of Kellogg. “We have a diverse customer base, and we need an equally diverse work force. The better the mix of people, the better the ideas.”
Keynote speaker Squyres was the lead scientist for the two robotic rovers currently picking through the rocks and sand on Mars. He told the students that the rovers were built to last 90 days and have lasted 1,368 days. “Build better ones,” he exhorted the students. He also said that their generation will walk on Mars.
They are up to that challenge, says Joanne Xenakis, who teaches at Holy Redeemer School. “They are bright and motivated. They have no concept of limits. They believe they can achieve whatever they want.”
Her student, Alyssa Avila, 12, whose favorite class is math, wants to be an accountant when she retires from playing basketball. She says the expo reaffirmed her belief that “I can set my own goals. It’ll change the world and how people think of women.”
Blair Prince, an eighth-grader from Royal Oak, loved riding on Tech’s hover craft, a small levitating vehicle. “I didn’t even know we had that kind of technology. We’re a lot more advanced than I thought we were. You could be an engineer without being boring.”
Meghan Flynn, an eighth-grader from Plymouth, far from bored, was rather ecstatic.
She got talk to Squyres. “This is such a great experience. Awesome. I can’t believe I talked to the leading scientist on the Mars rover. It’s a once in a lifetime experience."
Students to a person especially liked Toyota’s robot that played the trumpet. No gimmick here; it actually has robotic lips and lungs and can bang out a crowd pleaser. |
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2. Reminder: Pumpkin Pies for Sale |
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Dining Services is holding their Annual Day-Before-Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Sale. The nine-inch homemade pumpkin pies sell for only $3.25 each and can be ordered by emailing bake@mtu.edu . All orders must be placed by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19. Pick-up and payment can be made in the Memorial Union food mall on Wednesday, Nov. 21, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
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3. SFRES, BRC Seminar Thursday |
The SFRES Graduate Seminar Committee and the Biotech Research Center would like to invite students, faculty and staff to a seminar, "Shifting the Balance: The Role of Ectopic Expression of Glutamine Synthetase in Growth and Development of Hybrid Poplar," by Edward "Ned" Kirby at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, in Noblet Forestry Building G002.
Kirby is a professor of plant biology in the Department of Biological Sciences at Rutgers University in New Jersey. At Rutgers, he has held several administrative positions as well as authored numerous scientific papers. Kirby's recent work focuses on the study of nitrogen metabolism in trees and the role of glutamine synthetase overexpression in the development of transgenic poplar. |
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4. Seminars on Huron Creek, Renewable Energy Ownership Today |
Two MS students in environmental engineering will discuss their work at an environmental engineering seminar set for today, Monday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m. in Dow 642. Linda Kersten will give a seminar on the Huron Creek Watershed Management Plan, and Kelly McFarlin will speak on community ownership of renewable energy.
For more information or an abstract, contact Brian D. Barkdoll,
barkdoll@mtu.edu . |
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5. Memorial Union Menus |
Monday, Nov. 12
The Grill--Breakfast, Apple Jack Cinnamon Quesadillas with Cilantro and Cream (Jack cheese and cinnamon apples grilled between two tortillas, topped with more apples, cilantro and whipped cream) $3.50; Lunch, Grilled Turkey and Swiss Value Meal $5.50 (includes a 20-ounce soda and a small order of fries), Sandwich Only $3.50
Home Style Entrees--Korean Miso Soup $2.50, Kimchi Bokkum Bap (Kimchi fried rice) $2.95, Bulgogi (BBQ Beef) $3.95, Full Meal Deal $5.95
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.75; Thai Red Curry Beef, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.99; Korean Miso, Chicken and Dumpling
Mubsterz Pizza--Mubsterz Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza, by the slice $2.99
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Try this week's featured sandwich, Vegetarian Cottage Cheese and Cucumber Subs $3.25
Tuesday, Nov. 13
The Grill--Breakfast, The Barn Buster (three fresh eggs cooked to order, four sausage or bacon, hash browns, toast and coffee) $4.95; Lunch, Two-Fer-Tuesday (two cheeseburgers, small order of fries and a 20-ounce fountain soda) $3.95
Home Style Entrees--Dal (lentil soup) $2.95, Tomato Chicken Tarkari $3.95, Mixed Vegetable Tarkari $2.95, all items served with Bhat (steamed rice)
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.75; Philly Cheeze Steak Wraps, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.99; Dal (lentil soup), Beef Barley
Mubsterz Pizza--Philly Cheeze Steak Pizza, by the slice $2.99
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Hot Campbell's Soup Served Monday through Friday, $2.99 per cup
Wednesday, Nov. 14
The Grill--Breakfast, Breakfast Pizza $2.99; Lunch, Pita Wrap Cheese Steak Griller (delicious grilled beef, peppers and cheese served wrapped in a pita) $3.99
Home Style Entrees--Crema De Coco Con Camarones (cream of coconut soup with shrimp) $2.95, Carbonada Uruguaya (beef stew with vegetables and fruit served with rice) $3.95, Full Meal $5.95
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.75; Chicken Lo Mein, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.99; Cream of Coconut Soup with Shrimp, Cheesy Vegetable Medley
Mubsterz Pizza--Hawaiian Delight Pizza, by the slice $2.99
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Try one of our low-carb-friendly wrap sandwiches $3.99
Thursday, Nov. 15
The Grill--Breakfast, Western Omelet Toast (filled with bell peppers, onion and ham) and Coffee $3.95; Lunch, Zesty Ranch Chicken Wraps $3.99
Home Style Entrees--African Stewed Chicken $3.95, Full Meal $4.95, Jollof Rice $1.50
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.75; Sweet and Sour Pork, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.99; Minnesota Wild Rice, Hearty Meatball and Spinach
Mubsterz Pizza--Mushroom and Olive Pizza, by the slice $2.99
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Make any sandwich a value meal and get a 20-ounce fountain soda, chips or a jumbo cookies for just $2
Friday, Nov. 16
The Grill--Breakfast, 1,2,3 Breakfast (one pancake, two eggs, three sausage and coffee) $3.95; Lunch, Pepperoni Pizza Burgers $2.50 (Make it a value meal and get a small order of fries and a 20-ounce soda for just $1.95)
Home Style Entrees--Carne Adobado (spiced pork) $3.95, Three Sisters Corn Casserole $1.50, Wild Rice $1.50, Full Meal $5.95
The Wok About International Display Cooking--all entrees $4.75; Shrimp Caesar Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad
Soup by the Cup--$2.99; Cheeseburger, Minestrone
Mubsterz Pizza--Ranch Chicken Bacon Pizza, by the slice $2.99
Peppers & Pickles Deli--Try this week's featured sandwich, Vegetarian Cottage Cheese and Cucumber Subs $3.25 |
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6. Job Posting |
Staff job descriptions are available in the Human Resources Office or at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings . For more information regarding staff positions, call 487-2280 or email jobs@mtu.edu .
Faculty job descriptions can be found at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/facpers/facvac.htm . For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.
Staff Job Posting 11/12/07
Research Engineer/Scientist I—Reposted
Michigan Tech Research Institute
Position duration dependent upon external funding
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer. |
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7. In the News |
The YES! Expo got wonderful coverage in the Detroit News and Crain's Detroit. See www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071109/METRO/711090375
and
www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/REG/71108015/1053/-/-/thousands-of-students-tour-science-expo |
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