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
Movers and Shakers: Brian Chislea of Dow Making a Difference for FIRST Robotics
November 9, 2023 | Brian Chislea, The Dow Chemical CompanyEstimated reading time: 1 minute
My passion for STEM, mentoring, and our electronics industry is both professional and personal. I’m a scientist and application engineer at Dow Chemical, as well as an IPC standards committee leader and a mentor for burgeoning engineers. Most importantly, my personal life revolves around helping kids become involved in STEM activities, so when I saw an opportunity to be a mentor for my son’s middle school robotics program, I couldn’t pass it up.
Within IPC, my focus is on the protective materials for PCBA. This leverages my electrical engineering (EE) background in some aspects of dielectric strength and electrochemical migration. That bridge between material science and electrical performance gives me an opportunity to learn from a broad range of industry experts. I’m now able to pay that knowledge forward through mentoring opportunities with IPC’s Emerging Engineering program, the STEM events at IPC APEX EXPO, and FIRST Robotics.
My children attend the Freeland Community School District in Freeland, Michigan. The Freeland Fabricators is the FIRST robotics program there. In this school district, the FIRST teams are under a single umbrella of mentorship. I am one of more than two dozen mentors alongside a very dedicated group of coaches who work with students of all ages. There are nearly 90 students participating in the FIRST Lego League (FLL) for elementary school, FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for middle school, and the FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC) for high school.
In 2019, when my son was a sixth grader, he joined one of the school’s FTC robotics teams. This sparked for him an interest in programming, science, and engineering. Unfortunately, the 2020-21 season was lost due to the pandemic, however, he continued his advancement by taking several online programming classes.
Continue reading this article in the fall 2023 issue of IPC Community.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Intervala Hosts Manufacturing Day Event for Local Students
10/07/2024 | IntervalaAt Intervala, every day is about manufacturing! On this year’s Manufacturing Day, we also opened our doors to a group of students and teachers from nearby Franklin Regional Middle School to demonstrate the vibrant and interesting careers that exist in modern-day, high-tech manufacturing.
Jaltek Joins UK’s National Manufacturing Day
09/20/2024 | JaltekOn Thursday 26th September, as part of Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day, we will be opening our doors and inviting local students in to our factory for a behind-the-scenes look at our manufacturing facility and how it works.
Incap US Hosts School Supply Drive
09/10/2024 | IncapIncap US employees showed their community spirit by participating in the company’s first-ever school supply drive. Throughout the month, employees generously donated a wide range of school supplies, from notebooks and pens to backpacks and calculators.
Kimball Electronics Mexico Provides Shares for Local Preschool
09/09/2024 | Kimball ElectronicsKimball Electronics Mexico (KEMX) recently donated a shade net to the CAIC Nuevo Amanecer Preschool in the local community.
Rehm Encourages STEM Careers with Visit from Students
08/08/2024 | Rehm Thermal SystemsAt the end of year nine, secondary school pupils are faced with the first important decisions for their professional future. The careers guidance project at secondary schools (BORS) supports them in finding a career and in the application process.