Cal Poly Students Bring Engineering to Local High Schools and Fourth Grade Classrooms during National Engineers Week

SAN LUIS OBISPO – This week, volunteer students from Cal Poly's Society of Women Engineers will visit fourth grade classrooms and high schools to teach students about the field of engineering and lead hands-on science demonstrations.

In addition to the annual outreach to fourth-graders, on Thursday, Feb. 21, a diverse coalition of Cal Poly student groups will bring engineering to Central Coast high school students.

Up to 170 students from high schools from Paso Robles to Shandon to Arroyo Grande to Pioneer Valley to Morro Bay and Santa Maria will be visited by students from Cal Poly’s Engineering Student Council (ESC), in collaboration with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA).

The high-school outreach program targets students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom are first generation high school and prospective college students. Several of the students already participate in MESA, which helps them develop academic and leadership skills, increase educational performance, and gain confidence in their ability to compete professionally.

Each year during National Engineers Week, Cal Poly students visit local schools K-12 schools to empower youngsters with the knowledge that they can become the engineers and scientists of tomorrow.

“Our mission is to open the doors of the profession to young people, especially girls, who remain underrepresented," said event coordinator Lesley Telford. “With SWE members serving as real-life role models, the program definitely plants a seed about career and college opportunities."

Schedule of fourth grade and high school visits:

Fourth Grade Days

1) Tuesday, February 19, noon - 2 p.m.
    Teacher: Bill McConnell, room 15
    Monterey Road Elementary, Atascadero
    phone number for school: (805) 462-4288

2) Wednesday, February 20, noon – 2 p.m.
    Teacher: Melanie Snowdy, room 16
    Monterey Road Elementary, Atascadero
    phone number for school: (805) 462-4288
    teacher contact email: msnowdy@atas.k12.ca.us

3) Thursday, February 21, 10 a.m. – noon
    Teacher: Katherine Kirby
    Monarch Grove Elementary, Los Osos
    phone number for school: (805) 534-2844
    teacher contact email: kkirby@slcusd.org

High School Outreach

Paso Robles High School, room 410: 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Contact: Ellalina Keller 237-3333 ext. 5581 or ekeller@king.prps.k12.ca.us
(call the school at 237-3333 in advance of arrival)
Shandon High School: 8:20 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.
Contact: Leslie Haynes 238-0286
Arroyo Grande High School: noon - 1 p.m.
Contact: Christel Penton 474-3000 ext. 2109
Morro Bay High School: 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Contact: Steve Gade
(call the school at 771-1845 in advance of arrival)
Santa Maria High School: noon - 1 p.m.
Contact: Ben Wieman 925-2567

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