This event aims to expose its SHPE Jr. chapters to STEM fields and possible careers in STEM fields. This is done by encouraging student to solve hands-on engineering challenges and tour around various engineering research labs. Currently, SHPE UW-Madison has three SHPE Jr. Chapters, which are Madison East, Milwaukee Hamilton and Milwaukee Riverside. We are also trying to increase our presence by establishing another Madison SHPE Jr. chapter so we can continue to motivate and inspire Hispanic youth to pursue higher education and careers in the STEM fields (of course we do not discriminate by race, but we do put an emphasis on minority students and all of STEM field). This is one of SHPE’s biggest events at UW bringing in roughly 100 students (25 students per school usually).
Photos
In order to protect the privacy of the middle and high school students who participated in the event, not all photos of the events are posted.
2018
The engineering challenge was to build cars made out of budget materials (i.e. plastic tubes, cardboard). The students split into teams of 3 or 4 people and had a budget of 50$. In order to build the car, they had to buy the materials. The team whose car traveled the furthest and stayed intact during the trajectory wins.
2019
The engineering challenged featured was to build an earthquake resistant tower made out of straws, tape, clay, and cardboard. The tower that stays intact the longest wins.