ERC for Wireless Integrated MicroSystems (WIMS)

Wireless Center Introduces Native American Teens to Microtechnology

The Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSystems (WIMS), an Engineering Research Center headquartered at the University of Michigan, offered two programs in 2006 that for the first time were aimed at Native American secondary students. The outreach effort helps with the National Science Foundation's goal of inspiring the country's youth, particularly in minority communities, to learn more about careers in engineering and the sciences.

The Center's faculty and graduate students held an intensive weeklong workshop at Michigan Technological University (MTU) in coordination with the university's Outreach and Multi-Ethnic Programs office. After the WIMS group talked about some microfabrication techniques, the students applied what they learned and made presentations about their experimental results. The program was students' first exposure to microtechnology and hands-on use of research equipment. The Center team also described ways that the students could tackle important societal problems through engineering careers.

WIMS also held the Michigan Indian Leadership Program at Michigan State University for 37 eighth- through twelfth-grade students. Center faculty and students gave brief talks on key microtechnology courses and involved the students in experiences with engineering practices. Participants engaged in friendly engineering competitions using Lego's Mindstorm Robotics Invention System and other learning aids. Each student gave an oral or poster-board presentation demonstrating his or her final project accomplishments.

Both programs served to teach the students about microtechnology and hopefully whetted their appetite to learn more about possible career paths in the field.

To learn more about this topic:
Visit the ERC for Wireless Integrated MicroSystems web site at http://www.wimserc.org.

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The novel micropump developed at the WIMS
ERC will allow minute volumes of air and
contaminants to be handled, enabling smaller
and more versatile environmental monitors.

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Last modified: April 14, 2007