June ’25 Project 4: Pathways
Project lead: Jennifer Ramos-Chavez, University of Texas at El Paso, & Brandon Allen, Purdue University
Events:
Purdue Road School Transportation Conference
This year brought another exciting opportunity to host the 2025 Purdue Road School Transportation Conference and Expo. Hosted by ASPIRE’s team at Purdue University, this event was held on March 18-19 and featured visits with exhibitors, keynote addresses and workshops, and student poster presentation sessions.
Check out their website for additional information.
2025 ASEE National Conference
This upcoming June 22-25 is the 2025 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) National Conference in Montreal, Canada. Two Creative Engineering Design (CED) related papers, drafted by lead authors Jennifer Ramos-Chavez and Jennifer Taylor, were accepted and will be presented at this year’s annual conference.
CU After-School Engineering Program
The University of Colorado is promoting Pre-College Engineering Education, and ASPIRE has partnered with them for an after-school engineering program. After a successful fall semester of this course, they are continuing this spring semester using micro:bit microcontrollers and EV MicroKarts activities for the students.
Student Leadership Cohort Program Trip
The annual Student Leadership Cohort Program Trip took place March 2-7. More information on this SLC Trip can be found in our Student Section.
Careers & Workforce Events
The English language workforce booklet is complete and available online or via printed hard copies. The Pathways brochure was disseminated at 2 collaborative career events.
Learn more about career pathways for Electrification jobs in Utah.
Canyon Elementary STEM Fair
ASPIRE participated in a STEM night at Canyon Elementary School on February 6 (pictured above). At the event, Matt Jones and Fawn Groves brought a wirelessly powered toy car track that graduate students Abdullah Baig and Azmeer Zahid used to demonstrate wireless charging technology. Mario Harper brought and demonstrated his robot dog, and over 150 visitors participated in their technology displays and activities.
USU College of Engineering E-Week Community Night
Utah State University’s Community Night for Engineering Week was open to the public to learn about the clubs that make up the College of Engineering on February 20. Over 200 visitors visited the ASPIRE Student Association’s table, which offered demonstrations about the basics of inductive charging through magnetic fields and electromagnets.
Green Canyon High School Career Day
On March 19, Ryan Cook and Melanie Conrad represented ASPIRE at the Green Canyon High School career day. At this event, they offered students the opportunity to learn more about ASPIRE with various assemblies and demonstrations. Over 100 students stopped by their booth to learn more about ASPIRE.
Publications:
- Two Creative Engineering Design (CED) related papers were accepted for the 2025 ASEE National Conference this June 22-25 in Montreal, Canada
- Lead Authors: Jennifer Ramos-Chavez & Jennifer Taylor
- 1 Intermountain Sustainability Summit 2025 poster
- Accepted Presentations
- 2025 Purdue Road School Transportation Conference and Expo, March 18-19, West Lafayette, IN
- National Science Teachers Association, March 26-29, Philadelphia, PA
- Presented by Jennifer Ramos-Chavez
- 82nd Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference, April 3-6, Chicago, IL
- 66th Annual International Meeting of the Transportation Research Forum, April 10-11, St. Charles MO
Student Grad Highlights:
Under the mentorship of Angela Minichiello, student Foeday Zinnah presented their research at the Research on Capitol Hill event at Utah State University on February 20. Their poster presentation was entitled “The Role of Non-Degree Credentials in Developing a Sustainable Workforce in Electrified Transportation Infrastructure”.
Additional Highlights:
Welcome Project 4’s newest lead: Brandon Allen.
Stay tuned for more information on who will join Allen as co-lead!