A Note from the President
By Christiana Aguirre
Practice Curiosity is the theme of the WE20 Conference. WE20 is virtual this year and I can’t wait to attend it. If you have been able to attend a WE Conference in the past, you know what I am talking about. It is very inspiring to meet with thousands of engineers from all over the world. All of them with a common goal of empowering each other as engineers and leaders in a diverse and inclusive environment. And of course, it is always great to meet old friends and make new ones! There are many opportunities for professional development, networking and listen to inspiring keynote speakers. Let’s together make the WE20 conference one to remember!
Many of our members are working from home and helping their kids with schoolwork. Practicing Curiosity seems to be the perfect theme for this year’s WE conference. I am amazed how our members have been so creative in teaching STEM to their kids in a fun and exciting way. One member showed their kindergartner how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, another how to build a bug robot and program it. All kids are curious, and this curiosity should be nurtured by encouraging them to explore their own interests and surroundings. This is how engineers are “born”; always asking how and why, building things, inventing and innovating! Our SWE Central IL Section has an amazing Outreach Committee that has been practicing curiosity with kids from our local communities, especially those who are underprivileged. Even in the middle of this pandemic, our SWE CI members have found creative ways to reach out to these kids and inspire them to be curious. Keep inspiring and keep practicing curiosity!
Find more information and register at we20.swe.org
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Society of Women Engineers Central IL
Executive Council Members FY2021:
Elected Members
President: Christiana Aguirre
President Elect: Fiona J O'Laughlin
Secretary: Aisling Margaret Hinderliter
Treasurer: Lisa M Walliker
Committe Chairs
Outreach: Karen Raab, Ursula Towne
Professional Development: Gina Guo, Laura Ruiz-Santamaria
Membership: Melanie Willi, Sowmya Nagesh
Communications: Harika Sutari, Riley Cuthbert
Work Life Integration: Heather M Ulrich, Roberta Branco
Awards: Anh Ngoc Huynh, Meghana Madala
Nomination: Paroma Banerjee
Finance: Lauren Duvall, Liza Kornilova
Advocacy: Thuong Le, Ursula Towne
Historian: Asha George
Liasons
Bradley University : Elizabeth Fawcett
University of IL Urbana/Champaign: Ann Peedikayil
SWENext Liaison: Gina Riley
Area Representatives
Decatur: Kimbra Bader, Marie Elizabeth Stoops
Springfield: Heather Shoup
Advisory Board Members FY2021:
Susan Toher (Caterpillar Inc.)
Beth Ann Hinchee (Caterpillar Inc.)
Christy Lee (Caterpillar Inc.)
Gina Riley (Caterpillar Inc.)
Stacey Delvecchio (StaceyD Consulting)
Julie Reyer (Bradley University)
Call for Committee Members
If you are interested in joining any of the SWE-CI committees, please contact Christiana Aguirre at swe.central.illinois@swe.org
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Hispanic Heritage Month - Spotlight
By Laura Ruiz-Santamaria
September 15 to October 15 is commemorated nationwide as National Hispanic Heritage Month. This celebration was created to recognize, educate, celebrate and pay tribute to the positive impact Hispanic Americans have left on the country. National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the cultures, traditions and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in Spain, Mexico, the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The celebration dates were chosen to coincide with the Independence of Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Belize.
SWE CI would like to join the celebration and highlight a special board member of Latino descent. This month, our spotlight shines on Laura Ruiz-Santamaria.
My name is Laura Ruiz-Santamaria and I’ve been with Caterpillar for 7 years. I am currently the Material Requirements Planning Manager for our Undercarriage facility located in East Peoria, IL. I am also a co-chair for the Professional Development Committee for SWE-CI. I grew up in central Mexico and moved to the US to continue my studies after high school. I started with Caterpillar back in 2013 after completing my Industrial Engineering graduate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
What Attracted you to Engineering and to SWE?
My aunt, who is one of my role models, was also an Industrial Engineer. Looking up to her and seeing her continuing to progress through her career inspired me to believe it was a career where I could be successful too. With my mom being a biologist, a career in STEM seemed to be a natural fit for me.
I was first attracted to join SWE to expand my network and to learn about others’ journeys through the engineering fields.
What is your favorite part of being involved with SWE?
SWE has allowed me to continue sharing my passion for engineering and being a STEM role model, while advocating for diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Through SWE, I have been able to participate in outreach and professional development events, and to grow my professional network.
Tell us something interesting about you…
I am also a member of the Caterpillar Latino Connection (CLC) Peoria employee resource group and I’ve been a teacher and coordinator for their Spanish for Business Classes for the past 6 years. CLC Peoria will be hosting Spanish for Business 102: Wednesdays Oct. – Nov. Around Noon on Teams.
For additional information on the class and on CLC’s activities for Hispanic Heritage Month, please contact Carolina Lopez at CLCPeoriaChapterGroup@Cat.com
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Patent Recognition Awards
Big Shout-Out to all members that received the SWE Patent Recognition Award FY20. SWE Central IL Work Life Integration Committee is organizing a virtual get together to recognize all these amazing engineers! Below are the award winners from Caterpillar Inc. (Members from SWE-CI Leadership Team are in bold)
Thuong D. Le, Caterpillar Inc., 7 Patent Recognition Awards
Karen Raab, Caterpillar Inc., 2 Patent Recognition Awards
Christy Lee, Caterpillar Inc., 1 Patent Recognition Award
Maria Biberdorf, Caterpillar Inc., 3 Patent Recognition Awards
Robin Boroski, Caterpillar Inc., 1 Patent Recognition Award
Katherine Braddy, Caterpillar Inc., 6 Patent Recognition Awards
Adrienne Brasche, Caterpillar Inc., 8 Patent Recognition Awards
Jean O. Bridge, Caterpillar Inc., 1 Patent Recognition Award
Jennifer Brooks, Caterpillar Inc., 7 Patent Recognition Awards
Maggie Burrow, Caterpillar Inc., 1 Patent Recognition Award
Sarah T. Flanigan, Caterpillar Inc., 1 Patent Recognition Award
Susannah Freeman, Caterpillar Inc., 6 Patent Recognition Awards
Katie Goebel, Caterpillar Inc., 2 Patent Recognition Awards
Susan M. Graham, Caterpillar Inc., 2 Patent Recognition Awards
Kristin Heckart, Caterpillar Inc., 1 Patent Recognition Award
Amy M. Hess, Caterpillar Inc., 2 Patent Recognition Awards
Britta Jost, Caterpillar Inc., 3 Patent Recognition Awards
Aruna Kinjarapu, Caterpillar Inc., 1 Patent Recognition Award
Brittany Lee, Caterpillar Inc., 1 Patent Recognition Award
Alexa McCray, Caterpillar Inc., 2 Patent Recognition Awards
Sara Michels, Caterpillar Inc., 1 Patent Recognition Award
Iuliana Mocanu, Caterpillar UK, 1 Patent Recognition Award
Solimar Reyes Rodriguez, Ph.D., Caterpillar Inc., 3 Patent Recognition Awards
Kaimei Sun, Caterpillar Inc., 1 Patent Recognition Award
Natalie Vanderspiegel, Solar Turbines Caterpillar, 2 Patent Recognition Awards
Amanda Wilke, Caterpillar Inc., 2 Patent Recognition Awards
Yanchai Zhang, Ph.D., Caterpillar Inc., 27 Patent Recognition Awards
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Membership Renewal
Welcome to FY21 - Please update your home addresses in the SWE membership portal
Welcome to FY21 from the SWE Central Illinois family. If you have not renewed, there is still time to renew or join on SWE's website. Please go to swe.org and register. We can help you with membership sponsorship proposals for your employer if you are interested. For more information about joining a committee, please reach out to us at swe.central.illinois@gmail.com. A description of each committee can be found on our website, http://centralillinois.swe.org/ .
Another Reminder for current members- since most of our activities and interaction will be virtual in the near future, we want to make sure that we send you cheery thoughts and appreciation while you are juggling your work and personal lives. We are sending a small token of appreciation in recognition of your commitment to this section. Please go to SWE membership portal and update your home addresses to your most current ones.
The membership committee will also be sending our annual survey to collect feedback on our events and programming and to gauge the section's overall interest in our multiple focus areas. |
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Upcoming Events
Outreach:
Video Game Design with Makey Makey (RR)
Design your own version of Space Invaders in Scratch and build game controllers using a Makey Makey Kit. During the first Zoom session on October 6 you will build your controllers and learn how to modify and play an existing game built in Scratch. During the second session on October 13 you will build a new game from the ground up. To participate, you need a computer or laptop with Internet access. Register to receive the Zoom link and reserve a kit with a Makey Makey and supplies to make your controllers. Kits will be available for checkout and pickup September 28-October 6. Makey Makey components need to be returned to the library by October 20.
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 6:30-7:30 and Tuesday, October 13 6:30-7:30 on Zoom
Grades: 4-6
Contact Karen Raab for registration
Exploring Electrical Circuits with Tinkercad and Breadboards (RR)
Model a virtual electrical circuit in Tinkercad and then build one in real life with a breadboard. During this Zoom session you will learn how to make a LED light turn on and a motor spin. To participate, you need a computer or laptop with Internet access. Register to receive the Zoom link and reserve your Breadboard kit. Kits will be available for checkout and pickup October 12-20. Breadboards and components need to be returned to the library by October 27.
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 6:30-7:30 on Zoom
Grades: 6-8
Contact Karen Raab for registration
Awards:
SWE-CI Call for Nominations!
SWE-CI announces a call for nominations for three awards: Distinguished Member, Outstanding Engineer, and Outstanding Advocate.
Nominations are due to Awards Committee Chair Meghana Madala (madalameghana25@gmail.com) by Oct 15th.
Click on each award for the application:
Distinguished Member Award Honors women who have been actively engaged in the Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers. The nominee must have demonstrated outstanding support and participation in furthering of technical understanding or interest in young women.
Outstanding Engineer Award Awarded to a qualified woman who has made significant contributions in the field of engineering and/or technical management. She need not be a member of the Society.
Outstanding Advocate Award Recognizes individuals who advocate for the inclusion and success of women, both present and prospective, in engineering and technology. The nominee must have demonstrated outstanding advocacy for women and girls in engineering and technology.
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Aug Events
Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers contributing their time to help SWE support successful events throughout Aug !
Work & Life Integration
SWE-CI Make and Take Screen Printing T-Shirt Event
On September 13th and 15th the WLI Committee held a Make and Take T-Shirt Event at River City Labs in Peoria. During the event members and their families were able to learn how to screen print and put their new skills to the test. The Super Women Engineer T-Shirts came out great and everyone had a great time! A huge thanks to Karen Raab for organizing and assisting during the event and also a huge thanks to Danielle Laroche of Lost Art for being there to give our members tips and tricks from a professional!
Work Life Integration - 1st VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR
On August 28th Work Life Integration Committee Celebrated the SWE-CI FY21 Executive Council with a Virtual Happy Hour! It was a very casual and fun event where we had a chance to learn more about each other by playing a game and chatting. Thank you all that participated. It was great to hear from everyone and learn more about each other.
Outreach
G.E.M.S. Girls Science Club
On Tuesday, September 16th, SWE-CI Outreach took the Science of Bubbles to a group of elementary and middle school girls from GEMS (Girls Excelling in Math and Science). The event was held outdoors in Hanna’s Reading Garden, Morton. Kids made their own bubble wand and tested out some bubble recipes. They found out what makes bigger bubbles and took home a container with their favorite bubble recipe. The weather was perfect for an outside event!
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Webinar
To register or learn more, click on webinar below
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Internship Opportunity
The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum is a children’s museum located in Glen Oak Park. The PlayHouse offers 8,000 square feet of exhibit space with hands-on, interactive exhibits which showcase the industry, culture, and natural environment of Peoria and Central Illinois. In addition to permanent exhibits, the PlayHouse also offers a number of workshops and programs for families, kids, and adults.
Successful interns are innovative thinkers and leaders who are outgoing to possess a commitment to diversity and excellent customer service in support of PlayHouse goals.
TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIPS:
Internship application information can be found at https://peoriaparks.org/careers/internships/. Please email playhouse@peoriaparks.org with any questions.
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Job Opportunities
Natural Fiber Welding is a company dedicated to revolutionizing the materials industry. They develop technologies based on the sustainable use of plants and natural fibers to create beautiful durable goods and textiles. NFW was founded in 2015 and is based in Peoria, Illinois and is now hiring for the following positions:
Applications Testing Engineer/Scientist ; Sr. Polymer Scientist (Master Compounder); Chemical Engineer; Production Manager; Project Manager; Manager - Business Processes, Lead Management and Customer Care; Industrial Maintenance; Conveyance Team Member; Production Control Specialist; Production Technician
Visit www.naturalfiberwelding.com
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Virtual Volunteer Opportunity
United way is looking for virtual volunteers to support the local community in different areas like Big brother/Big sister mentors,Guest Readers for Pre schooler, etc.,
Click Here: https://volunteer.hoiunitedway.org/need/
Note: Those who volunteered, Please give us feedback at swe.central.illinois@swe.org
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UPCOMING SWE-CI EVENTS
Tip: Import SWE-CI's Google Calendar -- no typing needed!
Video Game Design with Makey Makey (RR)
On Zoom
Oct 6, 6.30 - 7.30 PM
Oct 13, 6.30 - 7.30 PM
Exploring Electrical Circuits with Tinkercad and Breadboards (RR)
On Zoom
Oct 20, 6.30 - 7.30 PM
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