Program Name: Discover "E"
Nominator's Name: Albert Ferraro
Nominator's Telephone Number: (609) 667-3903
Title: Principal
Organization: Joyce Kilmer Elementary School
District: Cherry Hill Public Schools
Address: Chapel Avenue
City/State/Zip: Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
District Superintendent: Dr. Philip Esbrandt
District Telephone Number: (609) 429-5600
Date of Program Initiation: March 1991

Area 1: Goals:

The Discover "E" program held at Joyce Kilmer Elementary School during Engineers Week was sponsored by three organizations, the Institute of Industrial Engineers, Martin Marietta aerospace, and the Navy Crane Center. The activities taught an understanding of what engineers contribute to the community. School Business relationships based on sound principles can contribute to high quality education. The goal of our district in establishing school business partnerships is to access expertise and cooperation in the community for the Business and the Cherry Hill School District. One objective is to develop a two-way exchange of ideas, resources, and knowledge based on the mutual belief that both partners have something to share, and each can make a vital contribution. These partnerships will serve as models for community coalitions aimed at improving the life of the community. Finally, partnerships will provide students with opportunities to interact with businesses and increase the student's growth and success experienced. The Discover "E" program offers students in grades K-6 at the Joyce Kilmer Elementary School awareness of career opportunities in Math and science-related fields, and provides students an opportunity to meet with men and women as role models working in traditionally male occupations.

Area 2: Activities:

The implementation of the Discover "E" program in grades K-6 at Kilmer provides materials and methods for increasing the confidence and competence of students in problem-solving, science, and math-based activities. Ten engineers from 12 firms who are members of the Society of Professional Engineers celebrate National Engineers week by teaching a hands-on exercise to every student in the school. Mr. Ken Golkin, Senior Quality Systems Engineer of Martin-Marietta Astrospace, coordinates this effort which he refers to as a transfer of enthusiasm. Women and men working as industrial engineers use on-hands activities that demonstrate the importance of math and science in future fields of study and work. Emphasis is placed on the encouragement of female and minority students because, on average, these students have a disproportionately high incidence of underachievement in math. The focus of the program at the elementary level allows young students to realize areas of strength and interest, which will guide their career selection later.

 The Discover "E" program has been conducted for the past three years. The first year began with approximately 120 students in Grades K-2 completing a newspaper recycling project, an environmental engineering effort. In the second year, four grade levels (approximately 240 students) worked with five engineers on the problem solving challenge of finding the missing part of a space ship. Students were given drinking straws to design the structure of the ship and discover what was missing in the pre-fabricated space ship. This lesson was so popular with the teachers and the students, teachers approached Mr. Golkin and requested a total school participation for the next year. So that, in the third year, the entire student population of 464 students, 66 teachers and 12 visiting engineers participated in the Creative Cardboard Engineering project. The challenge was to construct an I-Beam made of string, cardboard, glue and a plastic bag. The school newsletter publicized this event prior to scheduling it, and five parents volunteered their time to assist on the day of the event. After designing and building the I-Beams, the students were taught about the education needed to become an engineer and the interesting work experiences these professionals have enjoyed. After the lesson, students received posters and buttons commemorating Engineers Week.

Area 3: Evaluation:

The formal evaluation form used by Mr. Golkin is completed annually. Informal evaluation is best expressed by the students through the Thank-You letters they write to Mr. Golkin. Teachers affirm the success of the lesson by their request to participate each year. The growth of the program has necessitated additional coordination by Mr. Golkin and an increased number of engineers to facilitate the lessons. District evaluation is best exemplified in the achievement of the goal of offering non-traditional role models in a traditionally male dominated occupation, engineering. Student achievement measured success for females and minorities in subject areas which usually pose difficulty; math, problem solving, and science. Dr. Tracy Miller, Elementary Supervisor, observes the program annually and views it as a valuable school business partnership which should be continued as a benefit to the students of Kilmer School.

Area 4: Stability:

The commitment of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, the Navy Crane Center, and Martin-Marietta Astrospace, who support Mr. Golkin in this endeavor, is evidenced by the number of engineers who donate their time to the project. Each year in his letter of thanks to Mr. Golkin, the principal of the Joyce Kilmer School requests continuation of the program. The teachers look forward to the project, and with advance notice of the lesson to be presented, structure curriculum to compliment the task. Students remember the fun of the challenge from year to year, and consider it a very special day. Mr. Golkin has been approached by schools in neighboring counties to bring the program into their schools, further exemplifying the stability of this important project.

Area 5: Endorsements:

The success of the Discover "E" program is described by Ken Golkin as an opportunity to give something back to the community. "We find that the engineers who participate are energized by the experience and return to work with a new commitment. We also hope to plant a seed of wonder and enthusiasm in the next generation of engineers. Many of our best engineers first became interested in math and science at a young age.

Activities like Discover "E" help pass along our enthusiasm for technical work to another generation. For the Institute of Industrial Engineers, Discover "E" provides us with visibility in the community as engineers. Industrial Engineers are involved in the manufacture and delivery of many kinds of goods and services. We are attempting to provide a positive role model of the engineer as a contributor to the "good life" that we enjoy. In some sense we want to balance the unfortunately often negative image given to scientists and engineers in the mass media. " Al Ferraro, principal, wrote, "Please accept my thanks, along with that of my staff, for the wonderful engineering program that was given to all grade levels of the Joyce Kilmer School. The students not only enjoyed the actual building activities, but learned a great deal about engineering. Many fine comments were heard from the children. " And Dr. Tracy Miller, Elementary Supervisor commented that the value of this school business partnership is great because of the real-world experiences it offers children. "The high degree of interest sparked by the students will benefit them in their decision-making years. "