Did you know that there is a perfect way for you to work with our high school-level youth and volunteer at the same time?
“To excite young people (K-12) in materials, science and engineering careers“ is the mission of the ASM Foundation. Working toward this goal, the first ASM Foundation Materials Camp, the ASM Eisenman Materials Camp, was established in 2000. I am excited and honored to be a long-time volunteer mentor at this camp, having missed only that first one. Like my fellow mentors—many of whom are IMS members—I can’t imagine not having camp to look forward to each year.
Since that first student camp in 2000, 13,356 students have been reached at 319 camps across the country and overseas. What a wonderful feeling knowing that we have contributed to these students’ understanding of material science, engineering, and metallography. To help describe it, here are a few comments from Materials Camp attendees/graduates:
“It has been almost three years since my first encounter with materials science and engineering at the Eisenman Camp, and I can safely say that my interest has sparked a thirst for knowledge. I am currently majoring in materials science and engineering and I am so excited to continue delving deeper into the topic of materials. I am so grateful to the Eisenman Camp for jump starting my passion in materials and I hope that this camp continues to inspire young individuals in pursuing a career in materials science and engineering.”
“The problem solving, analyzing, and team working skills that I acquired from this experience are truly invaluable. I wish I could go again and I’ll certainly make my younger brother experience this as well. Thank you so much.”
“This summer, I was accepted to work at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville in the Metals & Ceramics Division of the Materials Engineering Laboratory. Upon being offered the job, I was told that my interest in failure analysis—which was initiated by my participation in the Eisenman Camp program—was a primary factor in my selection. I am thrilled to share that my work there this summer will be focused on aerospace-based failure analysis.
If you have considered volunteering even a few hours a year and didn’t really know where you would like to spend that time, consider volunteering at an ASM Materials Camp. View the list of 2017 Student Camps or the Teacher Camps to see if there’s one near you. Or email Jeane Deatherage to find out which camps could most use a few hours of your time. Trust me, you won’t regret it. I sure don’t. ASM Eisenman Camp 2017, here I come!
Judy Arner
Secretary, IMS Board of Directors
