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Contacting Schools Once you have your list of schools and have
outlined your program, contact your state and local science and math supervisors, local
principals, and teachers to request permission to make a classroom presentation. Be sure
to tell them that Discover"E" is a national program endorsed by the National
Science Educational Leadership Association and School Science & Mathematics
Association. Materials are developed in cooperation with educators. If you plan to use
video and interactive projects, say so. (This is especially important to hold the
attention of younger students.) They will help sell your proposal. Also, stress the
importance of your visit to help stimulate interest in math and science.
If you know which teacher you want to
work with, cut through the bureaucracy. Make direct contact by phone and by mail. Copy the
principal and department supervisor. Teachers are often hard to reach during the day, so
be sure to leave your home phone number. Consider teachers of science, math, computer
science, mechanical drawing, technology education (industrial arts), art (engineering
design applications), and social studies (expeditions, ethics, and engineering's impact on
our society).
| A
Sample Letter to the Teacher Dear Teacher:
You and your students may
enjoy participating in a national outreach program called Discover"E"
("E" for engineering) during National Engineers Week, February
17-23.
More than three million
engineers, teachers, and students will participate nationwide. Engineers will sponsor
extracurricular activities and visit classrooms to show students how math, science, and
engineering create the world around them and to introduce them to technical careers.
Discover"E" has been endorsed by the National Science Educational Leadership
Association and School Science & Mathematics Association.
I would like to invite you
and your students to participate in the local Discover"E" program. An engineer
from (organization) would be glad to visit your classroom. He/she would present an
introduction to engineering using a videotape and hands-on activity. There would be time
for questions. The engineer would be glad to tailor the presentation to your specific
curriculum needs. Background information is enclosed. I hope you will consider
(organization) a classroom resource. I look forward to talking with you in more detail. I
can be reached at (include daytime and evening phone numbers).
(Be sure to follow up your
letter with a telephone call.) |
| A Sample Letter to the
Counselor/Director Dear Counselor/Director:
February
17-23 is National
Engineers Week. In conjunction with this program, (organization) will be visiting (school)
to talk with students about math, science, and technology and to introduce them to
technical careers. Engineers will be visiting (list teachers) on (dates).
To coincide with our
visit, I thought it would be helpful for your office to have copies of the enclosed
brochure, "Engineering & You".
This publication gives students general background information on engineering careers. You
might be interested to know that a recent survey by the National Society of Professional
Engineers shows that, in 1996, the median salary among experienced engineers was $65,800.
By discipline, petroleum engineering was the highest-paying at $80,500.
If you or your students
have additional questions about engineering careers, please contact me at (phone). |
Next: Meet the Teacher
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