Henry W. Patton Center for Engineering Education & Practice

Skill-building to a science: CECS co-op program promotes networking, confidence

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:42:12 +0000

Skill-building to a science: CECS co-op program promotes networking, confidence admin Mon, 10/05/2015 - 12:42

“I extended my graduation date so I could take advantage of what the co-op provides,” said Chung, a bioengineering and mechanical engineering major who has done three co-ops at General Electric Appliance in Kentucky. “Co-ops give you an edge after graduation. When everyone is looking for a job, I’ll have a good network and experience in my field already.”

The CECS co-op program is a way to close the gap between being a student and a professional, said Tony DeLaRosa, Engineering Experiential Learning assistant director.

“The idea is to learn about the practice of engineering while you are still in school, not wait until school is over,” he said. “We want students to take full advantage of the resources that are here and get that real-world experience now.”

Chung said she first heard the word “co-op” through the CECS dean’s office. Not sure what it entailed, she contacted DeLaRosa, who helped Chung sign up to the program and later alerted her that General Electric was coming to campus for an information night, and their recruiters were interested in her.

“I’m really grateful for that experience. My GE co-ops helped with streamlining my interests in the engineering field. I found out I liked designing parts or modifying them and that I liked working hands-on. It will definitely make it easier to find a job after graduation,” said Chung.

DeLaRosa said nearly 60 companies and more than 170 students participate in the program each year. Companies involved include Ford Motor Company, Toyota, Fives-Cinetic and Visteon.

“We actively recruit students and employers each semester and create connections. We work hard at making this nice network,” he said, noting that many student names come from faculty recommendations. “We actively nudge students out there to companies. And once companies see how talented our students are, they keep coming back.”

Emily Lerner, who did a co-op with United States Steel, said not only did her co-op give her an experience that makes her more marketable, it also paid well. And as a student who supports herself, this was essential.

“I live on my own and it was really a struggle to have four jobs and do school at the same time. I saved all of the money I earned from the USS co-op to be able to pay for my apartment for a year without having to worry about finances anymore,” said Lerner, a junior studying electrical engineering.

DeLaRosa said students like Lerner come to the office with different interests—like information technology, automotive, robotics, defense strategies or information technology—and he works as a matchmaker for his students to have a good start to their happily ever after.

“It builds confidence. It makes better students because you can apply what you’ve learned on your co-op to classroom lessons. It helps create a network with other engineers and it creates a smoother transition to full-time employment,” DeLaRosa said.

And from her experience, Chung agrees.

“I’m not the same person from when I did my first co-op. I’ve learned so much. My presentation and communication skills have improved. I’m not afraid to ask questions. I feel confident to take charge of a project,” she said. “I feel ready for graduation.”

Experiential Learning

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Henry W. Patton Center for Engineering Education & Practice

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Mon, 10/05/2015 - 16:42

When it came to choosing between an earlier graduation date or experience, senior Stephanie Chung chose experience—more specifically, the Engineering Cooperative Education Program.

CECS changes to enhance research and integrative learning

admin — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:21:45 +0000

CECS changes to enhance research and integrative learning admin Wed, 06/12/2013 - 09:21

“The IAVS Futures Committee has been exploring possibilities for enhancing research through strengthened ties with industry and better communication with the Office of the Vice President for Research; and a sub-committee of the CECS Administrative Council has explored possibilities for enhancing K-12 outreach,” said CECS Dean Tony England.

“Through these explorations, a reorganization plan has emerged that I believe will move us in the right direction.”

On June 1, the functions of the Institute for Advanced Vehicle Systems (IAVS) and Henry W. Patton Center for Engineering Education and Practice (HP-CEEP) merged. The new IAVS/HP-CEEP will become the hub for research and integrative learning experiences.

"With one organization, we address the need to connect faculty research with experiential learning. It brings the teaching function closer to the research function,” John Cristiano said.

Cristiano and Ghassan Kridli now serve as co-directors of IAVS, with Cristiano continuing to oversee HP-CEEP. England said the appointment of co-directors recognizes the importance of both faculty teaching and research.

The new IAVS/HP-CEEP will emphasize engaging students in industry projects, internships and co-op opportunities, with Tony DeLaRosa and the CECS Cooperative Education Program becoming a part of the organization.

Also on June 1, Engineering Professional Development (EPD) became Extended Learning and Outreach (ELO), led by Jeanne Girard. ELO will expand the functions of EPD to include greater educational opportunities for veterans, pre-college and non-traditional students, and more outreach to K-12 school districts. The office also will encourage professional development activities for alumni.

“Picture education as a lifelong opportunity. We want to bridge the gap between K-12 education and the engineering college,” England said. “After graduation, there’s a saying, ‘If you’re not continuing with professional development, you’re irrelevant by age 30.’ ELO will address that, as well, offering educational opportunities for our alumni.”

Kathryn Tamborino will join ELO to expand established relationships with regional K-12 school districts. She will continue to work in collaboration with the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Life to connect with students and their parents, with a special emphasis on recruiting women to ��-Dearborn’s engineering and computer science programs.

England believes recruiting female students is imperative to building strong programs.

“A wisdom that I share with many industry leaders is that inclusion of women in engineering projects and programs yields better results,” England said. “Scientific studies show that when diverse teams address problems, they come up with better solutions.”

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Extended Learning & Outreach

Henry W. Patton Center for Engineering Education & Practice

Institute for Advanced Vehicle Systems (IAVS)

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Wed, 06/12/2013 - 13:21

University of Michigan-Dearborn’s College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) has made several changes in the last month in an effort to enhance the university’s research program and integrative learning experiences offered to students.

Kridli and Cristiano lead workshop at North American International Auto Show

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:14:34 +0000

Kridli and Cristiano lead workshop at North American International Auto Show admin Wed, 02/06/2013 - 10:14

But that’s what was on hand for a group of 60 budding engineers during the NAIAS’ 8^th Annual Education Day.

The props were part of the Engineering Discovery workshop led by University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Ghassan Kridli and John Cristiano. Area high school students were challenged to construct a freestanding structure with the noodles, tape and string that would support the weight of a marshmallow on top.

“Engineers are problem solvers who use every resource possible to bring into existence things and ideas they imagine,” said Kridli, professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering.

The marshmallow exercise challenged students to think like engineers. Designing a plan, building a prototype, testing the structure—students’ innovation and creativity were on display as they crafted and tweaked their projects.

As teams completed the challenge, Cristiano and Kridli talked about the different approaches taken by teams and why some approaches worked better than others.

Even the less-successful efforts were important to the process.

“We discussed how failure to construct a freestanding structure is valuable in terms of learning how not to construct the structure, “Kridli said.

��-Dearborn partnered with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) for this event in an effort to increase exposure to the STEM fields. ��-Dearborn graduate students Ni “Echo” Chen, Parvathy Viswamohan and Waleed Al-Mahshi assisted Cristiano and Kridli.

In addition to the hands-on challenge, students learned what engineers do and what careers are available in the field.

“The sessions went very well,” said Cristiano, director of the Patton Center for Engineering Education and Practice. “It was a fun day that helped expose high school students to the excitement of engineering and at the same time strengthen our relationship with TARDEC.”

Events

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Henry W. Patton Center for Engineering Education & Practice

Institute for Advanced Vehicle Systems (IAVS)

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Wed, 02/06/2013 - 15:14

Marshmallows and raw spaghetti aren’t what you’d expect to find at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).