Pre-College Initiatives

Young Women Empowerment Conference (YWEC) is a one-day conference offered each spring for CPS middle school and high school young women. MEP works with the Columbus Public Schools (CPS) and others to plan and conduct the conference. The purpose of YWEC is to introduce the young women to math/science based careers. Various workshops conducted by professional women are offered to the high school participants. MEP offers a colorful medley of design projects to introduce the middle school students to the engineering profession. Participants also compete in an essay contest and have lunch with math/science-based career professionals. An outstanding luncheon speaker is a highlight of the conference.

Man-to-Man Conference is a one-day conference held each fall offered to male middle and high school students from CPS. African American men are especially targeted. MEP, in collaboration with CPS and others, works to plan the annual conference. It includes a bridge building competition where teams from the various schools work in groups to build and design a bridge. During the conference, students present their bridges. Structure and design strategy are tested, and winners are chosen. The winners are recognized at the Award Luncheon, which also features an outstanding speaker and table top discussion with professional role models. Various professionals in science, engineering, medicine, and the legal profession serve as mentors for the group. Click here to see pictures from 2004 event.

Camp Engineer is a one-week day camp that seeks to provide middle school girls with a more in depth exposure, understanding, and appreciation of engineering. During the week, students work on design projects as well as participate in engineering department tours and workshops that help introduce them to specific engineering disciplines. Various College of Engineering faculty, staff members, and graduate students work with the young women to highlight and teach essential engineering concepts. The program concludes with an awards luncheon for the girls and their parents.
PLEASE NOTE: This program is ONLY open to the middle school participants of the Columbus Public Schools' Young Women Empowerment Conference.

College Bound Program, sponsored by the College of Social Work , is a campus-based program aimed at introducing elementary and middle school students to college life. MEP participates in the career exploration component of the program by offering several hands-on projects to introduce students to the engineering profession.

Young Scholars is also a campus-based program promoting higher education. MEP offers discussion sessions with the high school participants to promote engineering career awareness.

MEP supports student organizations that offer pre-college initiatives. Lambda Psi, as part of its community services, works with a local elementary school. Members adopt a math class and work with the pupils and teacher to enrich the mathematics classroom experience. The National Society of Engineers (NSBE) offers a national program, Pre-College Initiatives (PCI), to introduce middle and high school students to the engineering profession. They make presentations, tutor, and conduct demonstrations for participants. MEP is involved in the planning and implementation of these activities.