History of eCHAMP
The Engineering Coaching and Mentoring Program has developed over several years with contributions from many people and organizations. The following is intended to capture some milestones and provide attribution and extend appreciation to key players and events.
September, 2005
The Lemelson Foundation and Intel Foundation collaborate with the Oregon University System and the Engineering Technology Industry Council (ETIC) to host a 2-day Oregon Pre-Engineering & Applied Science (OPAS) workshop with 72 handpicked leaders from industry, K-12, higher education and government. The goal is to make recommendations on ways to get more students to choose pre-engineering & applied science learning and post secondary study. The Oregon Pre-Engineering and Applied Sciences Initiative (OPAS) is started.
February, 2007
Jill Tucker of The Lemelson Foundation convenes a think tank group of 10 handpicked people to discuss increasing opportunities in STEM with a focus on invention, innovation and design.The athletic team and coaching model used in the K-12 system is discussed. A local school district extra duty stipend document from the teachers contract is examined. It is noted that almost all extra duty activities and teams have a coach with a stipend.
April, 2007
OPAS forms the Motivate Committee. Ben Manny, retired Intel Engineer, accepts Co-Chair position. He also starts volunteering with a local high school Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam program. Additional discussions occur about how the high school athletic model works.
August, 2007
US Congress passes America Competes legislation calling for increased investment in Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) education. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a New Hampshire non-profit known for national and international robotics competitions notes that less than 8% of the engineers in the world are produced by US higher education institutions!
December 2007
Dick Knight (then PSU interim Dean of Engineering) challenges the OPAS work groups to “add a zero” to the K-12 pipeline funding for increasing STEM involvement. Workgroups explore options to increase STEM involvement and make recommendations. Motivate committee includes after-school engineering teams similarl to the athletic model in its recommendations.
February 2008
OPAS proposes a set of investments in pre-college programs during the biennium starting July 2009. These proposed investments include creating incentives for engineering coaches in Oregon high schools.
April 2008
Oregon Engineering & Technology Industry Council (ETIC) includes eCHAMP as part of the 2009-2011 Oregon Biennium Policy Option Package proposed to the Oregon Legislature. Suggested initial funding was almost $400 thousand.
July 2008
Don Domes (Hillsboro High School Pre-Engineering Instructor) and Terrel Smith (Sherwood HS Computer Science Teacher and Teachers Union President) meet with OPAS Steering Committee about the feasibility of Engineering Coaches at the high school level. Bruce Schafer, OUS Industry Affairs Director secures OPAS Steering Committee approval to proceed with a potential pilot based on fund raised dollars.
August 2008
Don Domes and Terrel Smith present the concept of Engineering Coaches to teachers at the Western Oregon University SuperQuest Technology Teacher training conference. Several school districts express interest and apply for a potential pilot opportunity.
September 2008
OPAS Motivate Committee Chair Ben Manny and Hillsboro High School teacher Don Domes decide to raise $50K for a pilot program to include 5 schools. The TechStart Education Foundation agrees to accept and manage the pilot program funds.
December 2008
Five schools are piloting the concept and commitments for funding are secured. Special thanks to major donors. The Lemelson Foundation and the Intel Foundation.
January 2009
eCHAMP – Engineering Coaching and Mentoring Program is chosen as a name for the pilot project. A draft web site is designed by Ken Cone, Oregon University System, Industry Affairs Project Manager.
April 2009
Oregon University System budget proposal is presented to Education Subcommittee of the Joint Ways & Means Committee of the Oregon Legislature. This budget includes the ETIC budget which includes the OPAS budget.
June 2009
The Oregon University System budget passed by the Oregon Legislature. This budget includes a 15% cut to the ETIC budget.
July 2009
ETIC allocates a portion of its 2009-2011 budget to OPAS Initiative, which includes allocation of $153K to increase the scope of the eCHAMP program.
|
