CECS Outreach

Welcome to CECS Outreach at the College of Engineering and Computer Science's Academic Affairs Office. The image to the right is the poster from NSF's 1995 National Science and Technology Week. It represents the vast opportunities that young students and other public audiences have to become involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

CECS Outreach offers a wide berth of STEM programs, activities and support services relating to engineering education and our college's mission to recruit and retain students. Dr. Jamal Nayfeh, Associate Dean for Engineering, welcomes you to CECS Outreach and speaks to the importance of our outreach mission.

Our college encourages you to visit the offices and programs that make up CECS Outreach.

The Office of Diversity Engineering and Computer Science Programs

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) Office of Diversity was created with the purpose of recruiting and retaining minorities, women, and underrepresented groups into the fields of engineering and computer science at undergraduate and graduate levels.

We provide a range of services from academic assistance to career planning, scholarships to peer mentoring. The Office of diversity is further committed to mentor underrepresented engineer and computer science students to foster professional growth, life-long learning and help them become professional engineers of tomorrow.

The Office of Women in Engineering and Computer Science is devoted to providing resources for women in Engineering & Computer Science. They are dedicated to engaging, encouraging, developing and supporting female students.

The Office of Educational Partnerships is a resource for faculty to connect with local, state and national schools and multiple other industry, educational and professional organizations interested in K12 engineering education. Community organizations are especially encouraged to contact our office to learn more about how engineering education may be incorporated into their programs/activities. Visit OEP to learn about our Internet Science and Technology Fair, Engineering Futures Forum, the Why Engineering Survey and the Engineering Education Conference.

Florida Foundation for Future Scientists is a statewide, non-profit organization authorized by the 1957 Legislature of the State of Florida to discover scientific and technical talent in the schools of Florida and to encourage the pursuit of careers in science and engineering. In meeting its obligations, the FFFS promotes and administers the State Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) of Florida. The establishment of guidelines, rules, and procedures for local, regional, and statewide competitions. The rewarding of scholarships and prizes. The coordination of industrial, professional, and educational activities related to careers in science and engineering. Science, engineering, and leadership youth programs.

Each office provides a range of services that our engineering faculty and students, pre-college teachers, counselors, practicing and retired engineers, parents and other interested individuals may want to access to learn more and become involved.

Below are links to some additional CECS Outreach programs and services and some national engineering education programs.

Robotics | JETS

Robotics

Contact: Bruce Furino, OEP Director, CECS-OSC Robotics Outreach

(E-mail: bfurino@mail.ucf.edu )

Battlebots IQ Course Offered by the Orlando Science Center in

partnership with UCF's College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Ever wanted to know what it takes to build the combat robots that you

have seen on television? With an emphasis on math, science, and

hands-on building, this class teaches you the fundamentals of mechanical

robot design. Learn how electromagnetism is used to make your robot

move as well as how to build a high-powered pneumatic system capable

of tossing your opponent out of the ring and everything in between.

Learn more about our summer robots class held at the Orlando Science

Center and co-sponsored by UCF's College of Engineering and Computer

Science.

Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS)

Contact: Paul Edlen , Coordinator, Academic Affairs E-mail: paule@mail.ucf.edu

The mission of TEAM JETS is to provide high school teams the opportunity to compete in teams to solve engineering problems. The JETS test covers engineering concepts through questions relating to analysis and design. These questions challenge high school students and acquaint them with the engineering curriculum. Participants range between 8-15 teams from schools throughout the Central Florida area. Numbers vary by team with an average of approximately 75 students and 10 coaches (teachers). Schools that have participated in recent years include: University High School , Lake Brantley High School , The Master's Academy, Lake Howell High School , Lake Mary High School , Lyman High School , Dr. Phillips High School, Edgewater High School , Colonial High School , Bishop Moore High School , Trinity Prep, and Seminole High School .