American Society for Engineering Education

Magazine Inspires K-12 Students
to Become Engineers

What do the blockbuster movie Avatar, high-performance sports gear, the Angry Birds phone app, and pollution-eating bacteria have in common?  They are among a host of fascinating innovations developed by engineers and featured in the newest edition of the American Society for Engineering Education's (ASEE) Engineering, Go For It (eGFI) magazine.  The publication is available at http://shop.egfi-k12.org/.

The kid-friendly magazine is part of ASEE's campaign to inspire more K-12 students, particularly young women and underrepresented minorities, to pursue engineering careers. Illustrating how engineers make a difference in the world, the new edition includes:

• Stories featuring robots that imitate animals, Hollywood special effects, clean energy innovations, and technological advances giving athletes a winning edge.
• Engaging profiles on an array of engineering careers and disciplines.
• Fresh, cutting-edge examples of engineering innovations that are transforming fields from aerospace and medical care to architecture and materials science.
• Interviews with eight students currently participating in the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship sponsored by the Department of Defense and administered by ASEE, available online at http://students.egfi-k12.org/tag/smart/.

Since 2003, eGFI has grown to reach over 2 million K-12 readers and currently has nearly 30,000 Facebook fans and 1,200 Twitter followers. In addition to a regularly updated, video-rich website for students, http://www.egfi-k12.org, there is also a K-12 teachers' website --http://teachers.egfi-k12.org-- highlighting how engineering can enhance instruction and bring excitement and challenge to the classroom, with free lesson plans, activities, and national education news.

eGFI's fifth edition arrives at a critical time for the United States as it seeks to compete in today's global economy. Once a world leader, the American education system now lags in producing engineers and technology professionals. That has prompted policymakers and business leaders to call for a dramatic increase in the number of students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

With its large K-12 presence, eGFI plays a key role in encouraging students to pursue STEM majors and careers. "In my own work of training teachers and conducting parent workshops", says Liz Parry, North Carolina State University College of Engineering's Coordinator for K-16 STEM Partnership Development, "the magazine and its website are two of my “go to” tools for helping them to understand both the importance of their children experiencing engineering in their K-12 years and also to increase their own knowledge of the fundamental role engineers play in advancing society."

eGFI is:

• the inspiring, eye-catching print magazine
• a totally new and interactive, kid-friendly web site - www.egfi-k12.org
• a new teacher-oriented e-newsletter with lesson plans and class activities
• a classroom media kit complete with new eGFI magazine and poster
• a Student Blog where kids can connect and share their engineering aspirations and experiences

About eGFI

Engineering rocks! From new medical breakthroughs to cool Earth-saving technologies, engineers are problem solvers who have a passion for making the world a better place. eGFI showcases the wide world of engineering and technology careers to students, teachers and parents. eGFI: Dream up the Future. www.egfi-k12.org

About ASEE

Founded in 1893, ASEE is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting excellence in engineering and engineering technology education, and advancing research, public service, and the practice of engineering worldwide.

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