Ribbon Cutting Scheduled to Open Southern Polytechnic State University's New $30 Million Engineering Technology Center

/PRNewswire/ -- Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) President Lisa A. Rossbacher and other dignitaries will cut the ribbon to open SPSU's new $30 million Engineering Technology Center (ETC) at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Lee Rhyant, the recently retired executive vice president and Marietta site general manager for Lockheed Martin, will deliver remarks to assembled faculty, staff, students, alumni and guests inside the building following the ribbon-cutting.

SPSU is the only public university in Georgia offering a degree in mechatronics engineering – the integration of mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines with an infusion of computer science and software engineering. The ETC will house this program, in addition to all of the other engineering and engineering technology programs in SPSU's School of Engineering Technology & Management and Division of Engineering. All told, SPSU offers a total of 13 undergraduate engineering and engineering technology degree programs, and three graduate engineering and engineering technology programs.

In addition to classrooms, faculty offices, computer labs and an auditorium, the three-story, 120,000 square foot structure features a large number of highly specialized spaces: an energy/HVAC lab, a fluid mechanics lab, a strength-of-materials lab, a metrology lab, an electromagnetics lab, a computer-integrated manufacturing lab, an automotive lab, engineering graphics labs, a biomedical lab and a machine shop, to name a few.

The campus' newest facility, designed by architect Cooper Carry, sports a striking light show in the main lobby and is on track to receive silver-level LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, as are all recent additions to the SPSU campus.

Students will begin attending classes and labs in the new facility with the start of the spring semester on Jan. 10.

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Georgia Southern University Approved to Offer Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Degrees

Georgia Southern University has received approval by the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents to offer baccalaureate degrees in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering with classes set to begin in Fall 2011.

“There are defining in moments in the life of every major university.  The approval to offer engineering degrees at Georgia Southern is definitely one of the most notable in our institution’s more than 100-year history,” said Brooks Keel, Ph.D., president of Georgia Southern University.  “An adequate supply of engineers is critical not only to the goal of fostering a statewide environment that nurtures high-tech industry, but to the future prosperity of Georgia.”

Prior to the November 9 approval, the state of Georgia had a limited number of options for engineering education and many in-state students were forced to explore out-of-state alternatives.

“We are very grateful for the support that we have received from the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents, the Chancellor and his staff during this entire process,” said Keel.

Building on a Tradition of Engineering Education

Georgia Southern University has been offering nationally accredited baccalaureate degrees in civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering technology for more than 30 years.  In addition, Georgia Southern has offered the Regents Engineering Transfer Program (RETP) and Georgia Tech Regional Engineering Program (GTREP) for nearly 20 years.  The unique programs have offered students who successfully completed freshman and sophomore level university core and engineering science courses the opportunity to transfer to Georgia Tech to complete their engineering studies.

Georgia Southern’s existing engineering technology programs have seen a steady increase in enrollment in stark contrast to national trends.  In addition, the in-state work retention percentage (or the number of graduates that begin their professional careers in-state following graduation) at Georgia Southern University is estimated at 78.9 percent, far above other competing institutions.

“Georgia Southern’s new engineering degrees will retain the applied nature of their engineering technology roots, but will allow the University to fulfill its evolving mission of teaching and research,” said Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D., dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology (COST).  “These new programs will enable Georgia Southern to not only train engineering graduates that will be in high-demand by employers, but it will also allow us to significantly increase our ability to promote and develop the economy of Georgia.”

The new degree programs will initially be housed within COST, but it is envisioned that Georgia Southern University will create a new College of Engineering to accommodate expected increases in student interest.

Georgia Southern’s existing engineering technology programs will be phased out as the three new engineering programs become established, allowing students currently enrolled in these degree programs to complete their program of studies.

Supply vs. Demand

During the past 20 years, the U.S. has not produced enough engineering graduates to meet employment demands. The Engineering Workforce Commission found a 19.8 percent decrease in the number of engineering degrees awarded between 1986 and 1998.  During the same period, the total number of college degrees awarded in the U.S. increased by 20 percent.

Similarly, the historic shortfall of engineers within the state of Georgia is projected to continue, as the overall number of engineering graduates has decreased, and the aging engineering workforce continues to retire at a faster rate than can be replaced.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, during the 2008-18 decade, overall engineering employment is expected to grow by 11 percent.

“There is definitely a demand for well-trained engineers with hands-on experience and Georgia Southern University is the perfect place to offer engineering programs,” said Georgia State Senator Jack Hill. “Georgia companies and those considering Georgia for their manufacturing operations or high-tech businesses continue to need well-trained engineers and supply continues to be an issue.  Georgia Southern now joins a select few universities to offer engineering in the state and will help support not only one of the fastest growing areas in Georgia, but in the country.”

Supporting Economic Development in Georgia

The addition of engineering programs at Georgia Southern will make an immediate impact on economic development activities in the state of Georgia. By creating an increased supply of qualified engineering graduates, Georgia companies will have the opportunity to attract, hire and retain entry-level engineers that meet their requirements without having to recruit out-of-state. 

Additionally, a review of U.S. Census records reveals that the more engineers working in a state, the wealthier the state.  Prior to today’s approval, Georgia had less than a third of the number of public engineering schools found in a typical state, and fewer than half the number of public engineering schools found in even the nation's poorest states.

Today, a number of Georgia Southern’s students come from coastal and rural areas of Georgia and will return to those areas as engineers, supporting the economic development of these fast-growing regions. The Bureau of Business Research and Economic Development at Georgia Southern University recently performed an Economic Impact Analysis (EIA) of the benefits of transitioning the University’s existing engineering technology programs to engineering programs. In just a five-year span of time, the additional regional economic output to the counties surrounding Georgia Southern University would experience more than a $7 million increase.


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UGA promotes Northrop Grumman Scholarships for high schools for the 2011 TEAMS competition

First-time participating high schools have an opportunity to earn one of three Northrop Grumman Scholarships to cover registration fees for their teams to compete in the Junior Engineering Technical Society’s 2011 TEAMS competition to be hosted by the University of Georgia on February 23.
For the past two years, several teams of high school students from across Georgia have participated in the daylong competition at UGA. New participants can earn a scholarship to cover the $125 registration fee by registering and meeting a set of criteria.

“TEAMS, or Tests of Engineering, Aptitude, Mathematics and Science, brings math and science to life for students, fostering creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and problem solving,” said John Mativo, an assistant professor in the College of Education’s department of workforce education, leadership and social foundations, and a member of the UGA Faculty of Engineering, who is co-directing the competition.

The competition features high school students (grades 9-12) participating in teams of four to eight members, using real-world applications of math and science to solve some of today’s greatest engineering challenges. The TEAMS 2011 theme is “Smarter Energy. Cleaner Planet.” There are two parts: a 90-minute, 80 multiple choice question session and a 90-minute, open-ended, four-question session.

First-time participating teams seeking one of the Northrop Gruman Scholarships are required to register for the competition through the JETS-TEAMS website: www.jets.org/teams/and indicate that UGA is the team’s host. On the day of competition, the team’s school will be reimbursed the registration fee if it meets the criteria below and was notified as one of the three finalists.

1.This is the first time the school’s team has participated in the competition (new school).

2.The team is a new club in its respective school, such as Engineering/Science Club.

3.The distance the team traveled to UGA.

To earn a scholarship, teams must write a paragraph of approximately 500 words on why they should be considered for the Northrop Grumman Scholarship. Applications should be emailed to: Dr. John M Mativo at jmativo@uga.edu by Jan. 10, 2011.Selected teams will be notified by Jan. 20.

“The competition benefits students by showing them why math and science matter in the real world,” said Mativo. “Its academic rigor challenges students with new topics and new ideas. In addition, participants receive inside information about college scholarship and can win great prizes.”

Last year, participating teams—from Northside High School; Gwinnett School of Math, Science and Technology; The Academy of Richmond County; Cross Creek High School; Hephzibah High School; and Grayson High School—brought 64 students for competition.

Mativo is co-directing the competition with Chi Thai, an associate professor in the department of biological and agricultural engineering, and member of the faculty of engineering; and assisted by Nancy Vandergrift, a program coordinator with the UGA Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics initiative.

More than 14,000 students across the country participate annually in TEAMS competitions. Questions are aligned with national education standards. UGA is one of two sites hosting the competition in Georgia. The other site is the Atlanta University Center.

TEAMS competition site sponsors include: Harvard University, Itasca Community College, National Education Partnership Alliance, Shell and Starbucks.

More information about TEAMS, the UGA College of Education and Northrop Grumman is available at the following websites: www.jets.org/teams/, www.coe.uga.edu/ and www.northropgrumman.com/.

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Georgia Tech and Kaist Partner to Offer Dual Degrees

The Georgia Institute of Technology and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have announced dual degree programs in electrical and computer engineering (ECE). The new programs will be offered at two campus locations: Georgia Tech’s main campus in Atlanta and at KAIST in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

All lectures at KAIST will be presented in English to better serve a growing number of students from overseas. Undergraduate students may earn either a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering from Georgia Tech in tandem with the bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from KAIST. While in the dual undergraduate degree program, students spend two years each at both Georgia Tech and KAIST. For the master’s dual degree program in ECE, students spend two semesters each at both institutions. Participating students must satisfy the graduation requirements established by both universities in order to earn degrees from both institutions.

“One of the goals in our strategic plan is to support Georgia Tech’s objective to become a global university,” said Gary S. May, professor and Steve W. Chaddick School Chair of Electrical and Computing Engineering.  “We feel that these dual degree programs will help prepare our students to become leaders who will contribute to cultural, political, educational, economic and high-tech concerns in their home countries. In addition, collaborations between the two institutes will create opportunities to educate students who possess the skills for excelling in a dynamic global environment.”

Georgia Tech students participating in the dual bachelor’s degree program will spend their first and fourth years in Atlanta and their second and third years at KAIST. KAIST students spend their first two years in Daejeon and the final two in Atlanta. For the dual master’s program, Georgia Tech students will complete their first year at Georgia Tech and second year at KAIST, while KAIST students will complete the first year at KAIST and second year at Georgia Tech.

“KAIST’s proximity to many governmental research facilities, funding agencies and headquarters of many high- tech companies provides a rich resource for student internships and faculty research collaboration opportunities.” said Sung Kyu Lim, ECE associate professor and KAIST dual degree program director. “In addition, KAIST is near the National Research Foundation of Korea, which is comparable to our National Science Foundation. This symbolizes the strategic importance of KAIST as the leading national research institute in Korea.”

Key areas of interest at KAIST and local industries are information technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology. With approximately 8,000 students, KAIST is home to one of the top science and engineering programs in South Korea and Asia. 

The new programs, pending final approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, are scheduled to start in Spring 2011 for the dual BS and Fall 2011 for the dual MS. In addition, since costs for the new degree programs will primarily be covered by tuition, they will be revenue neutral.

The application deadline for the inaugural class is October 1, 2010, for the dual BS and December 1, 2010, for the dual MS. For more information, you may e-mail the program director, Sung Kyu Lim, at limsk@ece.gatech.edu or call 404-894-0373.



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Student Engineers - NASA and NIA Want Your Ideas

/PRNewswire/ -- University engineering students could play a part in designing a future space project for NASA as part of a competition sponsored by NASA and the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA).

The 2011 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts Academic Linkage or RASC-AL contest is aimed at undergraduate and graduate engineering students.

"We've been holding this competition for almost a decade now and we have seen some amazing ideas from the students," said Pat Troutman, senior systems engineer at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. "The students say they get something out of it too. They like that they get a chance to apply classroom knowledge to actual aerospace challenges."

This year students can choose one of four themes for their project: designs for a cost-effective 2030 mission to a near-Earth object; approaches to reduce the risk of orbital debris from space junk; technology-enabled human Mars missions; and novel concepts to engage the general public in human exploration missions. Student teams submit a summary of and an outreach plan for their proposed projects by February 4, 2011.

The RASC-AL steering committee made up of NASA and industry experts will evaluate proposals and select as many as 10 undergraduate and five graduate teams to compete against each other at a forum next June in Florida.

"Each year, the RASC-AL competition engages some of the best engineering talent from across the nation," said Dr. Robert Lindberg, NIA president and executive director. "The student teams are challenged to think beyond the classroom and the textbook, and explore the very limits of human creativity using the engineering skills they've mastered in school."

Teams selected submit a written report, prepare a poster and give an oral presentation at the RASC-AL forum. The June event gives faculty and students the chance to meet with NASA and industry experts, introduce concepts and data from the competition into NASA exploration program planning, develop relationships that could lead to participation in other NASA student research programs and show the benefits of NASA-university-industry cooperation.

For more information about the 2011 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts Academic Linkage competition, please go to: http://www.nianet.org/rascal

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Georgia Southern University Works to Introduce Engineering to Schools around the U.S.

Georgia Southern University is working to bring engineering education to middle and high schools around the country, and a major part of that effort will take place this week at a summer institute for teachers.

Georgia Southern is hosting Project Lead the Way, which is a national effort to equip middle and high school teachers with the information and skills they need to incorporate engineering into their curriculum. Teachers from around Georgia and the U.S. will spend two weeks at the University participating in hands-on lessons and activities they can take back to their classrooms.

"This is an incredible opportunity for teachers and for their students," said Georgia Southern Mechanical and Electrical Engineering associate professor and Project Lead the Way affiliate director Aniruddha Mitra, Ph.D. "Project Lead the Way focuses on helping teachers really engage their students in engineering studies. The lessons the teachers will learn here and then take back to the classroom will be an important and valuable foundation for students who want to pursue engineering-related careers."

A major goal of Project Lead the Way is to boost both the number of students and diversity of students who pursue engineering degrees and careers. Georgia Southern University became a Project Lead the Way affiliate in 2006, and hosted its first summer institute a year later. In addition to the summer institutes, the University has also hosted events for guidance counselors. The University also handles certifications for Georgia schools participating in the Project Lead the Way program.

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Georgia Tech's Graduate Engineering Program Maintains No. 4 Spot

The Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Engineering was ranked No. 4 nationwide for the sixth consecutive year in U.S. News and World Report's annual list of the best American graduate school programs.

In addition to having one of the nation's top graduate engineering programs, 9 of Georgia Tech's 11 programs have again ranked in the top 10, including industrial (No.1), biomedical (No. 2), civil (No. 3), aerospace (No. 4), environmental (No. 5), electrical (No. 6), mechanical (No. 6), nuclear (No. 8) and materials (No. 8). Of particular note, the civil engineering program moved up to No. 3 from last year’s No. 6 ranking.

"These rankings highlight Georgia Tech’s ongoing preeminence in the engineering arena and our growing prominence in the field of business.  The results are a direct reflection of the caliber of our students and faculty," said Georgia Tech President G.P.”Bud” Peterson. “As we move forward, the quality of the people of Georgia Tech will play a key role in defining our future.”

Georgia Tech’s graduate computer science program ranked No. 10 with several of its specialty programs also ranking in the top 10 including artificial intelligence (No. 7), theory (No. 7) and systems (No. 9).  In addition, discrete mathematics and combinations ranked No. 8.

Georgia Tech’s College of Management full-time MBA program was ranked No. 26, while the Institute’s part time MBA program tied with Georgia State University, ranking No. 24.

By Lisa Grovenstein

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Can Robotics Help Kids Learn Science?

Turning kids on to science and math with robotics has become routine, at least since the FIRST Robotics Competition began in 1992. But there is currently very little evidence about whether robots can actually teach students science, or whether they just serve to excite students already interested in science and engineering. Given the right context and design challenge, can robotics-based activities engage girls as much as boys? Are there differences in the way rural students engage in these types of materials, compared with urban or suburban students?

To help answer these questions, researchers and curriculum developers from Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC) and Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL) are beginning a five-year, $3.5 million National Science Foundation study to discover how effective robotics and engineering design are at teaching eighth grade physical science content, and at increasing students’ interest and engagement in science, math and engineering.

“Robots are good at increasing students’ engagement in science and engineering, but there’s no solid evidence to tell us what they actually learn from robotics. Do the students learn science and math, or are they just having fun,” said Marion Usselman, senior research scientist and associate director at CEISMC.

The program is known as the Science Learning: Integrating Design, Engineering and Robotics program (SLIDER). The SLIDER team is currently developing the curriculum and tracking the progress of sixth grade students in science and math. By the time those students enter eighth grade in the 2011-12 school year, the research team will have good longitudinal data to show how they performed in science and math before the robotics instruction began.

Georgia Tech is developing a LEGO robotics curriculum that consists of three six-week modules to be used in physical science classes. The curriculum will be implemented in 2011 at three Georgia schools--an urban school (Bear Creek Middle in Fulton County), a suburban school (East Cobb Middle in Cobb County) and a rural school (Swainsboro Middle in Emanuel County). Students in the eighth grade will then be studied to determine what they are learning from the engineering design curriculum, and in ninth and tenth grade to determine whether their engagement in science has increased.

By David Terraso

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Moon Work Design Contest Offers NASA Internships to Winners

/PRNewswire/ -- Talented engineering students who have ideas on how future explorers might live on the moon could find themselves working at NASA as paid interns.

The 2010 NASA Moon Work engineering design challenge seeks to motivate college students by giving them first-hand experience with the process of developing new technologies. To participate in the contest, students will submit their original design for tools or instruments that can help astronauts live and work on the moon. Top-ranked students will be offered a chance to intern with a team from NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program.

The Exploration Technology Development Program develops new technologies that will enable NASA to conduct future human exploration missions while reducing mission risk and cost. The program is maturing near-term technologies to help enable the first flight of the Orion crew exploration vehicle and developing long-lead technologies needed for possible lunar exploration missions.

Winning Moon Work contestants also will have a chance to attend field tests conducted by the Desert Research and Technology Studies Program, managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The program conducts annual tests of new technologies in landscapes that are close analogs of the moon and other harsh space environments.

Students should submit a notice of intent to enter the contest by Dec. 15. Final entries for the Moon Work challenge are due May 15, 2010. All entries must be from students at U.S. colleges or universities. Although non-citizens may be part of a team, only U.S. citizens may win NASA internships or travel awards.

For complete details and to enter the contest, visit:
http://moonwork.larc.nasa.gov/

Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., manages the student contest for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate and NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.

Through this and NASA's other college and university programs, the agency is developing student skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- disciplines critical to achieving the agency's space exploration missions.

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New Engineering Master’s Degrees Aimed at Emerging Environmental Challenges

Mercer University’s School of Engineering is launching two new degree programs this fall to help meet the nation’s mounting environmental challenges. In August, the School will welcome its first classes for the Master of Science in Engineering in environmental engineering – for students with engineering degrees – and the Master of Science in environmental systems – aimed at practicing professionals with degrees in other science disciplines.

The degrees are timely, according to their designers, because the curricula not only provide training in sustainability, green engineering and ecology, but also address the nation’s most pressing environmental challenges: emerging contaminants and aging environmental infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers, in its most recent report card, gave an overall grade of D for the infrastructure in the United States, and the country’s drinking water, wastewater, energy and hazardous waste systems all received either a D or D minus.

“These new environmental graduate programs will train environmental engineers and scientists to replace the aging infrastructure with sustainable designs and develop innovative approaches to treat emerging contaminants associated with personal care products, endocrine-disrupting compounds and pharmaceutical drugs, as well as conventional pollutants,” said Dr. Richard O. Mines, professor of environmental engineering and director of the School of Engineering’s graduate programs.

Both programs are designed for working professionals, with most courses offered once a week in the evenings. The programs have four major areas of study, where students will study the most advanced techniques and models in biotechnology and remediation, water quality, solid and hazardous waste and air quality issues. A number of the courses include an emphasis on green engineering and sustainable design. The programs also emphasize management, adding skills in leadership and project management while also upgrading each student’s scientific and engineering skills.

The Master of Science in Engineering in environmental engineering is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in any area of engineering. Earning an environmental engineering degree will allow the graduate to be eligible for registration as a professional engineer after passing the fundamentals of engineering examination. In addition, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying has approved new rules that will eventually require applicants for the professional engineer certification to obtain a master’s degree or equivalent to be eligible for the exam

The Master of Science in environmental systems offers practicing professionals with backgrounds in biology, chemistry and environmental science the opportunity to take advanced courses related to environmental engineering and science, which will extend their knowledge and enable them to effectively work on multidisciplinary teams to solve challenging environmental problems. The degree is available to students with an undergraduate degree in any area of science. Earning the Master of Science in environmental systems also makes the graduate eligible for registration on the National Registry of Environmental Professionals.

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New Ranking: Ga. Tech’s Business School Jumps Seven Slots; Engineering Programs Continue to Excel

The Georgia Institute of Technology’s College of Engineering was ranked No. 4 nationwide for the fifth consecutive year in the U.S. News and World Report’s annual list of the best American graduate school programs.

The most notable change in the 2010 graduate rankings comes from the College of Management, which jumped to No. 22 from 29 last year in the highly competitive business schools rankings.

“These rankings underscore the national and global excellence of our graduate programs,“ said Georgia Tech President G.P.”Bud” Peterson. “Our students and faculty, and the state of Georgia will continue to be beneficiaries of the many high- caliber programs and outstanding graduates that we provide.”

In addition to having one of the nation’s top graduate engineering programs, 10 of Georgia Tech’s 11 programs ranked in the top 10 including industrial (No.1), biomedical (No. 2), aerospace (No. 4), civil (No. 6), electrical (No. 6), computer (No. 7), and materials (No. 8). Of particular note, three programs moved up in the rankings: environmental engineering (No.5), mechanical engineering (No. 6), and nuclear engineering (No. 8).

Moving up to the 22 slot (7 among public universities), Georgia Tech’s College of Management tied with Emory University in the ranking of full-time MBA programs.

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Georgia Tech Celebrates Excellence in Engineering

The Georgia Institute of Technology celebrates National Engineers Week February 15-21 followed by Georgia Engineers Week February 22-28.

With the largest engineering program in the nation, Georgia Tech has remained a leader in the discipline. U.S. News & World Report ranked both Georgia Tech’s undergraduate and graduate engineering programs fourth in the nation in 2009. In addition, most of Georgia Tech’s graduate and undergraduate programs rank in the top ten with Industrial and Systems Engineering ranking number one.

Georgia Tech also plays a major role in diversifying engineering. Diverse Issues in Higher Education ranks Georgia Tech as the No. 1 producer of African American engineers while Hispanic Business ranks the Institute as the top engineering school for Hispanics. In addition, Georgia Tech was the first in the nation to enroll and graduate female engineers.

The annual observance, initiated in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, is designed to recognize the contributions engineers as well as to promote science, technology, engineering and math education.

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Rolls-Royce Promotes Engineering Education in the US

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rolls-Royce has pledged $120,000 to establish a new, multi-year engineering scholarship program at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Designed to support undergraduates in engineering, the Rolls-Royce Scholarship Program will fund scholarships for qualified students majoring in four-year engineering programs at the school.

Beginning this year, Rolls-Royce Scholarships will be offered to two undergraduates – rising sophomores or juniors who meet rigorous academic and other eligibility criteria defined by Rolls-Royce and the school. Those selected will receive $5,000 in annual scholarship support in each of their sophomore, junior and senior years, as long as the recipient remains in good standing with the school, maintains at least a 3.0 grade point average and demonstrates good progress toward completing his/her degree program.

John W. Gill, Executive Vice President, Human Resources in North America said: “Rolls-Royce has a long history of developing engineering skills around the world. Here in the US, numerous Georgia Tech graduates have helped Rolls-Royce become the world-leading global business it is today. As a major employer, it is important to help develop expertise for the future. Creating a new Rolls-Royce Scholarship program at Georgia Tech furthers our support for engineering education and honors the exceptional engineering undergraduates at this important, nationally-recognized university.”

Dr. Robert Loewy, William R.T. Oakes Professor and Chair of the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech said: “The School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech is most grateful for the support generously given to us by Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce is a leading aircraft engine and power systems provider worldwide. The close relationship we have is highly valued by all of us and plays an important role in the development of our talented and enthusiastic graduates.”

The Rolls-Royce Scholarship Program at Georgia Tech will run through the spring of 2013. Georgia Tech’s Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL) at the School of Aerospace Engineering will oversee the selection process in consultation with Rolls-Royce.

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UGA to Host TEAMS Competition for Area High School Students

Georgia high school students will have an opportunity to participate in a unique learning experience when the University of Georgia hosts a Junior Engineering Technical Society's TEAMS competition on Thursday, Feb. 19.

TEAMS, which stands for Tests of Engineering, Aptitude, Mathematics and Science, brings math and science to life for students, fostering creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and problem solving, said John Mativo, an assistant professor in the College of Education's department of workforce education, leadership and social foundations; and member in the faculty of engineering. Mativo will be working with Chi Thai, an associate professor in the department of biological and agricultural engineering, which is co-sponsoring the project.

The one-day competition will feature high school students (grades 9-12) participating in teams of four to eight members, using real-world applications of math and science to solve some of today's greatest engineering challenges. The TEAMS 2009 theme is "Behind the Scenes: Theme Parks."

There are two parts: a 90-minute, 80 multiple choice question session and a 90-minute, open-ended, four-question session.

"This competition can inspire your students far beyond the classroom by helping them see the wonders math and science can bring to life such as roller coasters, monitoring equipment in hospitals, at play grounds and more," said Mativo. "When students compete in TEAMS they learn the answer to that age-old question, 'When will I ever use this?' And the answer is as an engineer."

The competition benefits students by showing them why math and science matters in the real world. Its academic rigor challenges students with new academic topics and presents new ideas. In addition, participants get inside information about college scholarships and could win great prizes, said Mativo.

More than 14,000 students across the country compete annually in TEAMS competitions. Questions are aligned with national education standards. UGA is one of three sites hosting the competition in Georgia. Other sites are Atlanta University Center and Savannah State University.

Although space is limited, there is still time to register. The deadline for registration is Jan. 22. Schools already registered to participate include: A. R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High School, Cross Creek High School, Grayson High School, Hephzibah High School, Lucy C. Laney High School and The Academy of Richmond County.

To register or see more information, see www.jets.org/teams/index.cfm.

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