UCSD’s 2007 Academic Connections Summer Outreach Program

CEAM MAE graduate students teach a mechanical engineering course as part of UCSD’s 2007 Academic Connections summer outreach program to high-school students.

Instructor Kristin Schaaf and teaching assistant Christian Nielsen taught a mechanical engineering course entitled ‘Operating at the Interface between Science and Society: Mechanical Engineering’. The course was taught through a large variety of activities including lectures, group projects, tours of research labs and machine shops, field trips, guest speakers, hands-on experience in fabricating composite test specimens, as well as conducting mechanical tests. The students were exposed to the broad nature and great career flexibility associated with mechanical engineering. Most importantly the course enhanced the students’ understanding and interest in the area of mechanical engineering.

The Mechanical Engineering Academic Connections Class (Photo courtesy of J. LaHaye)

The University of California, San Diego offers a unique pre-college summer academic and residential experience called Academic Connections. The program is targeted at highly motivated, college bound high school students entering grades 10 – 12. The goal of the program is to provide hands-on college subject matter courses and the opportunity to experience life and learning at a top-ranked research university.