Speaker: Dr. Chandra Mouli, Director of Device Technology, Micron technology, Inc.
Topic: Opportunities to increase IEEE’s visibility & value in local community

When: 3/8/2010, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Where: Room 103, Engineering Technology Building, Boise State University

RSVP required by 3/5/2010:
RSVP at http://www.surveybob.com/surveybob/s/f99360f3-f326-4686-bdbe-5cb651950420.html

Cost: None (Open only to IEEE members)
Food: Pizza and soda will be provided. Please RSVP.

Abstract:
This will be an informal discussion to identify few areas that are relevant for the local community and increase IEEE member involvement in those areas.  I would like to propose two areas to begin with:  (a) K-12 Math/Science Education and (b) Increasing Idaho and Boise’s image as a state/city of opportunity/growth in alternative energy and emerging technology areas. They are both very broad topics – but useful to discuss in the first meeting to crystallize these thoughts further.  As a starting point to initiate discussion, I wrote down few thoughts below:  

K-12 Math/Science:

• What can IEEE do to engage with local schools & teachers to support existing activities (for e.g, various projects pursued in TVMSC)
• Educate teachers in local schools on the importance of math/science and bring excitement of engineering – “advertise and market engineering science”
• Increase IEEE member involvement through voluntary work in local schools in bringing math/science/engineering perspective from industry, research projects in universities – through class room presentations
• Identify and bring available resources from IEEE, NSF and other associations/govt. entities to Boise/Meridian area schools
• Create a list of active IEEE members interested in volunteering in this area – expand scope to other associations (ACM, foundations etc..)
• Identify teachers in rural areas of the state interested in participating in such activity and bring such opportunities to under-privileged areas/communities
• Start small with few key projects and make them a success – but have a bigger vision!

Idaho/Boise – Alternative Energy & Emerging Technologies:

• What can IEEE do to market Idaho & Boise as a great place for research, start-up activity for innovation in emerging areas
• Increase involvement of IEEE in Idaho State dept plans to increase S&T activities in the state
  Explore Idaho Dept of Commerce S&T initiatives (http://commerce.idaho.gov/technology/science-and-technology-strategic-plan.aspx)
• Brainstorm and identify areas that can have significant economic impact in the state in the next decade
  Explore similar activities pursued by IEEE in other chapters in the nation – identify success stories and relevance for pursuing them in our state.