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Industry Relations

Introduction

This STEM proposal is currently a work-in-progress. You can download a sample of the proposal at:  https://r5.ieee.org/pikespeak/steam-teams-notes

General Considerations

How Your Profile Fits & Proposal Alignment

Given your background (26 yrs USAF, 20 yrs university teaching in EE/Systems, interest in AI, blockchain, and educational entrepreneurship), you are very well-positioned to craft a strong proposal. Some strategic alignment ideas:

  • Target age group & outreach modality: Focus on school-aged children (K-12) with a program that introduces engineering mindsets/tech via hands-on. For example: an outreach workshop series on “Entrepreneurial Electrical Engineering & AI for Teens” in your region (Colorado Springs) or globally via virtual modules.

  • Leverage your strengths: Use your systems engineering and high-tech background to design an innovative module (e.g., high-energy lasers and precision systems simplified for pre-university audience, or blockchain + electrical engineering for entrepreneurship). This will differentiate the proposal.

  • Choose grant level wisely: If you plan a small pilot (e.g., one-day workshop for 30 students), the Introductory Level (< $500) may suffice. If you plan a multi-week program with more students and equipment, aim for the Share or Inspire levels.

  • Consider aligning with special interest areas: Since the IEEE CS and ComSoc are offering larger grants for computing/communications focus, you could structure your program around AI/communication systems or blockchain for engineering entrepreneurship — potentially tapping those funds.

  • Budget planning: Make sure your budget avoids non-eligible items (e.g., don’t request travel for speakers, or use funds for general overhead). Use funds for materials, supplies, venues, equipment rental, etc.

  • Evaluation & sustainability: The rubric emphasizes program goals, milestones/schedule, budget, evaluation plan, and sustainability beyond the grant. Make sure your proposal addresses how you’ll measure impact (student engagement, skills gained, follow-on opportunities) and sustain the program beyond initial funding.

  • Use your network: As a university professor and STEM educator, consider partnering with a local K-12 school district, IEEE student chapter or Section, or creating a virtual global outreach leveraging your military/engineering R&D network. That strengthens credibility and outreach reach.

Outline for Your Proposal Draft

Here’s a recommended structure to build your proposal:

  1. Project Title

    • Example: “Electro AI: Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Engineer Mindset via Hands-On Systems Exploration”

  2. IEEE Unit / Applicant Information

    • Section/Chapter name, your role, IEEE membership status

  3. Background & Need

    • Why this outreach is needed (locally/regionally/globally)

    • How it supports the mission of TryEngineering & IEEE

  4. Goals & Objectives

    • Specific measurable objectives (e.g., engage 40 students ages 13-17 over 4 weeks; each student will build a working AI-powered sensor system)

  5. Program Description / Activities & Timeline

    • Describe outreach format (in-person, virtual, hybrid)

    • Week by week (or event sequence) schedule

    • Hands-on modules, mentorship, student teams, final showcase

  6. Budget

    • Itemised: equipment (kits), consumables, venue/virtual platform, instructor stipends (if allowed), marketing/printing, refreshments (note limit on food = 25%) TryEngineering.org Powered by IEEE

    • Indicate which funding level you are applying for

  7. Evaluation and Sustainability

    • Metrics: pre/post survey, number of students, diversity metrics, follow-on student interest or project continuation

    • Sustainability: How will program continue or scale after the grant (e.g., institutional support, volunteer network, follow-through projects)

  8. Alignment with IEEE / TryEngineering Mission

    • Highlight how project promotes engineering to young people, connects to volunteer activities, uses free resources, and reports outcomes.

  9. Benefit to Pre-University Community

    • How students benefit (skills, mindset, exposure to engineering)

    • How the local community benefits or how the model may replicate/scale

  10. Appendices / Supporting Documents

    • CV or brief bio of project lead(s)

    • Letters of support (from school, IEEE section, partner)

    • Tentative flyer or outline of lesson modules

Next Steps for You

  • Secure your IEEE membership and indicate which IEEE operating unit (section/chapter) will apply – make sure you’re eligible.

  • Draft your proposal following the outline above and tailor to one of the funding levels.

  • Confirm timeline: begin drafting now so you can meet the 2 January 2026 submission deadline.

  • Reach out to IEEE/PECC or the TryEngineering team for any clarifications (e.g., submission portal link, evaluation rubric).

  • Review the “How to Write a STEM Grant Application” webinar (available on YouTube) to glean best practices. youtube.com

  • Develop the budget early and ensure compliance with ineligible cost rules.

  • Plan for the final report in advance (due 1 Dec 2026) so you embed data collection from the start.

Draft Proposal

“STEAM-TEAMS + Industry: Regional Workforce Pipeline Through Hands-On STEM Experiences”

Short Title: STEAM-TEAMS Industry Partnership Initiative
Lead Section: IEEE Pikes Peak Section (with Houston as flagship partner)
Participating Sections: Houston, Denver, West Area Sections
Grant Request: $2,000
Duration: Feb–Oct 2026
Primary Focus: Industry Engagement · Workforce Pipeline · STEM Mentorship

1. Executive Summary

This proposal extends the STEAM-TEAMS model into a Region 5 Industry-Aligned Workforce Development Pipeline, focusing on partnerships with Houston’s strong energy, aerospace, and technology sectors.
It builds on the successful hands-on and AI-assisted STEM outreach from the Pikes Peak STEAM-TEAMS framework , but uniquely integrates:

  • Workplace-aligned demonstrations

  • Industry site guest speakers and mentors

  • Workforce relevance modules

  • Career-oriented storytelling

  • A cross-Section industry-supported outreach model

This initiative creates a Region-wide industry partnership template, allowing other Sections to expand their STEM engagement through structured, scalable collaborations with local companies.

2. Strategic Goals & Alignment with Region 5

STEAM-TEAMS Industry Goals

  1. Build industry-supported STEAM-TEAMS units in Houston, Denver, and Pikes Peak.

  2. Engage industry engineers as mentors, guest speakers, and kit co-sponsors.

  3. Introduce students to career-aligned demonstrations: electricity, motors, sensors, digital logic, renewable energy demos, AI robotics.

  4. Produce industry-facing proof-of-work (videos, kits, reports) that demonstrate scalable workforce outreach.

Region 5 Strategic Alignment

This project directly supports Region 5 priorities:

  • Industry Relations & Workforce Development

  • Student → YP → LMAG pipeline

  • Section vitality through replicable programs

  • STEAM outreach to underserved communities

  • Leadership development through volunteer coordination

The original Pikes Peak model demonstrated how cascading mentorship and hands-on demos can energize Sections ; this version adds industry acceleration.

3. Project Description

A. Industry-Facing STEAM Modules

Each participating Section will host quarterly STEM industry-aligned activities such as:

  • “Build a Motor Like NASA Propulsion Engineers”

  • “Electricity & Safety: Real-World Applications in Energy Systems”

  • “Coding and Sensors in Industrial Automation”

  • “Renewable Energy Mini-Labs”

These are adapted from the proven Squishy Circuits, homopolar motors, and hands-on kits used in the Pikes Peak model .

B. Industry Mentorship Integration

Participating companies will:

  • Send 1–3 engineers as guest mentors

  • Provide short 5–10 minute career lightning talks

  • Supply optional examples of tools or components

  • Collaborate in co-branded outreach events

Possible partners:

  • Houston energy companies (ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, Shell)

  • Aerospace companies (NASA JSC contractors)

  • Tech & IT companies interested in workforce pipeline building

C. Multi-Section Industry Event

A Region 5 Industry + STEAM Day will be held in September 2026 (virtual + local).
Students and parents will attend simultaneous demos across Sections, with a shared Zoom broadcast for guest speakers.

D. Proof-of-Work Collection

Each Section will produce:

  • 3 short videos of demonstrations

  • 1 slide deck per activity

  • Photos of student engagement

  • A “Workforce Reflection” worksheet completed by students

All materials uploaded to a shared Region 5 repository for use by other Sections.

4. Timeline (Feb–Oct 2026)

Feb – Industry recruitment + volunteer training
Mar – First industry-supported STEAM-TEAMS event
Apr–Jun – 2–3 student-facing industry modules
Jul – Mid-year review + adjustments
Aug–Sep – Region 5 Industry-STEAM Showcase
Oct – Collection of proof-of-work, student outcomes
Nov – Final reporting and next-year planning

5. Budget ($2,000)

Category Amount Description
STEAM Kits $700 Kits for multi-Section events (motors, sensors, AI modules)
Industry Day Logistics $400 Banners, tabletop demos, printed materials
Multimedia $350 Video editing, AI visuals, training modules
Volunteer Training $300 Zoom license, planning meetings
Repository + Reporting $250 Shared drive + proof-of-work production

This budget follows the structure of the original Pikes Peak proposal with modifications for industry activities .

6. Evaluation

  • Student attendance and engagement metrics

  • Number of industry partners involved

  • Volunteer participation across Sections

  • Quality of proof-of-work videos

  • Survey results from parents, students, and mentors

  • Recruitment impact (student → YP → LMAG pipeline)

7. Sustainability

This program expands the Pikes Peak model’s long-term cascading mentorship structure by adding repeatable industry partnerships.
Each participating Section will receive:

  • A documented industry outreach playbook

  • Templates for onboarding new partners

  • Standard demonstration kits

  • AI-assisted educational materials

  • Sample slide decks and proof-of-work resources

This ensures the program can continue without future grants once companies are engaged.

8. Conclusion

This proposal builds a Region-wide, industry-powered STEAM-TEAMS model that strengthens Section vitality, deepens workforce engagement, and creates a sustainable STEM mentorship pipeline — directly aligned with Region 5’s priorities and inspired by the proven Pikes Peak model