Beyond Design: High-speed Rules of Thumb
Global PCB Connections: A Technical Overview of Long-flex Printed Circuit Boards
The Shaughnessy Report: A Handy Look at Rules of Thumb
Inspiring Next-Generation Engineers Through STEM
March 5, 2020 | Barry Matties, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Through the STEM Student Outreach Program, IPC invites high school students to visit IPC APEX EXPO for a day. Last year, they had about 100 participating students, and this year, it doubled. The program is designed to introduce students to our industry at a younger age.
During one event planned for them, the students had a chance to participate in a hands-on soldering track, creating wearable buttons to take home with them. Students then toured the show floor, where they rotated through various education tracks, receiving real-world technical skills training in soldering and coding, designing, and assembling PCBs. They also enjoyed a career panel during lunch and a presentation by Dr. John Mitchell, IPC president and CEO. This event is organized by the IPC Education Foundation.
Participating groups this year included Mission Hills High School, Morse High School, North County Trade Tech High School, Saint Marcos High School, E3 Civic High School, Point Loma High School, Otay Ranch High School, Mount Miguel High School, Otay Ranch High School—Girls in STEM. Sponsors of this year’s event included Foxconn Interconnect Industries, Nordson, Panasonic, TTM Technologies, Weller Apex Tools, and I-Connect007.
One STEM Teacher’s Perspective
During the event, I had a chance to interview Kathy Schultz, a teacher from Point Loma High School, who accompanied her engineering students to IPC APEX EXPO as part of the STEM Student Outreach Program.
Barry Matties: Kathy, you’re here with your school. How many students do you have attending the STEM Student Outreach Program today?
Kathy Schultz: I brought about 20.
Matties: What was the inspiration to bring your students?
Schultz: Most of my students are in an engineering class at school, and one of the classes that I teach is digital electronics. Through that class, the students have been exposed to a lot of the activities that they’re going to be doing here, but I thought it would be good to get it from a professional standpoint.
Matties: It is. That’s wonderful. Tell me a little bit about the digital class you’re teaching.
Schultz: The students learn mostly about the basic concepts, such as logic and breadboards. We use a pro-gram called MultiSENSE, which is a circuit program. They can simulate their circuits before they build them. We don’t use real PCBs, but we do a little bit of soldering, so it covers the basics of electronics.
Matties: And, of course, this is an elective pro-gram that they’re choosing to be in.
Schultz: Correct. The school has four engineering classes that they can take all four years. The digital electronics class is an hon-ors class, so it’s like taking an AP or weighted credit for it.
Matties: Nice. And when your students are in the class, what do they expect to get out of that?
Schultz: It provides a lot of general knowledge. Most of them are interested in attending college or pursuing a career in an engineering field or related STEM field.
Matties: It’s exciting to have you all here. What advice would you give to a young student who’s looking at moving into electronics?
Schultz: Be patient.
Matties: That’s good advice for life.
To read the rest of these interviews, which appeared in Show & Tell Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
IPC Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Patty Goldman
11/22/2024 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In my first article of this special series, I wrote a synopsis of the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame (HOF) Award, along with a commentary on its first few members, particularly Pritchard. Over the years, IPC members who have contributed significantly to IPC and our industry have been awarded this high honor and recognition. Though many early HOF members have passed away and are unknown to today’s IPC membership, their contributions still resonate. Over the coming months, I look forward to researching and reporting on IPC Hall of Fame members and their contributions. This month, I highlight Patty Goldman.
Winners of IPC Hand Soldering World Championship at electronica 2024 Announced
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC hosted its Hand Soldering World Championship in Munich, Germany, at electronica on 14-15 November 2024, welcoming 14 competitors from 13 companies and 12 countries worldwide. Skilled contestants competed to build an electronics assembly in accordance with IPC-A-610 Class 3 criteria, and were judged on the functionality of the assembly, compliance with the assembly process and overall product quality. The contestants were allowed a maximum of 60 minutes to complete the assembly.
IPC Issues Clarion Call for EU to Reclaim Leadership in Electronics Manufacturing
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC released a synopsis of its recent white paper, Securing the European Union’s Electronics Ecosystem. This condensed document presents a comprehensive overview of the current challenges in Europe’s electronics manufacturing industry and shares actionable steps to help the EU achieve a stronger, more autonomous ecosystem.
Enjoy the Journey: PCB Design Instructor Kris Moyer on His Sustainable Lifestyle
11/19/2024 | Michelle Te, IPC CommunityWhen I contacted IPC design instructor Kris Moyer to discuss his sustainable lifestyle, he responded to my text with a call. "I'm calling you from about 8,000 feet, sitting at the foot of Mammoth Lakes," he told me. “My friends and I are about to get in the pool for the afternoon." Kris can do this because he actually lives full-time in his travel-trailer at this campground. He's now a permanent camper, taking him anywhere the winds blow—and where there's strong internet service—so he can teach his PCB design classes, offer expert interviews, and live off the land.
IPC Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week with a Focus on Electronics Manufacturing Excellence
11/19/2024 | IPCIPC, a leading global electronics industry association and source for industry standards, training and advocacy, is proud to announce its participation in National Apprenticeship Week, scheduled for November 17-23, 2024.