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1. How can I/my school participate?
Interested engineers and schools should contact the EIR program office for an application.
2. What qualifications does an EIR need?
EIRs are engineers who are team players enthusiastic about what they do and have an interest and ability to work with young people.
3. How are schools and engineers matched?
Screening committees at the EIR program office match engineers with schools in their areas based on criteria provided on the application forms. The EIR meets with key school officials and together they decide if it's a good fit.
4. Are there differences between volunteering at an elementary and a high school?
Every school is slightly different, but on the whole, elementary schools tend to have fewer science specialists on staff than high schools. As a result, at the elementary level, the EIR's scientific knowledge may be most in demand. At a high school, the EIR may be asked to share his or her knowledge of real-world applications, contacts in industry, act as a mentor or role model, and participate in career counseling.
5. How do we set-up the program?
The school is asked to designate a primary contact teacher who will be the EIR's main contact in the school. Once the program matches the school and engineer, the EIR meets with the principal, lead teacher and other key people to plan activities. EIR program resource materials offer step-by step advice on how to get started, and the program office can also help.
6. What does being a primary contact teacher involve?
The contact teacher is the engineer's primary liaison at the school and helps integrate the EIR into the school community. They plan together to make the best use of the EIR's time.
7. Is training provided?
There is an orientation session for new EIRs and teachers. The program also offers a variety of resource materials, the EIR program office offers personal, one-on-one support in setting up the program, custom-tailored to the needs of the school.
8. How much time is an EIR expected to devote to this program?
There is no set number of hours, but we ask our EIRs to commit for the entire academic year. We urge engineers and schools to develop a custom-tailored plan that works for both. A consistent, ongoing relationship is more important than the total number of hours.
9. As an EIR, will I be expected to teach a class?
No, not necessarily. EIRs can support the teaching of science and technology in a number of ways: presentations, lab demos, suggesting and developing activities, helping with special projects, career counseling and forging links between the school and industry.
10. I work full-time, can I still be an EIR?
There are a number of EIRs who work full-time. Some make use of their employer's existing flextime policies, while others have made special arrangements with their supervisors. Often the only time away from work will be the time spent at the school. Planning and preparation can be done outside office hours. The EIR program office can help.
11. I would like to be an EIR at my local school, can I approach them?
Contact the EIR program office for more information first. If no schools in their area have applied to the EIR program, engineers can encourage a school to participate.
12. Who benefits from the EIR Program?
Everyone! Children gain a new perspective on learning, teachers and schools gain access to additional resources, engineers give something back to the community, add balance to their lives, and can enhance their communications and training skills.
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