Contact: Phil Hearn
Emma E. Seiler
Emma E. Seiler is the new coordinator of educational outreach and student programs for Mississippi State's Bagley College of Engineering.
Co-developer of a novel shoe design activity for high school students called "The Cinderella Project," Seiler will be responsible for planning and directing college interaction activities with the pre K-12 educational system, and coordinating undergraduate programs in leadership.
Associate engineering dean Robert Taylor said the Birmingham, Ala., native will focus on increasing the awareness and understanding of careers in engineering, mathematics and science among students, parents, teachers, counselors, and other school administrators.
"I have always enjoyed working with K-12 students and am excited that I get to introduce them to the fun side of math, science and engineering," said Seiler, who holds two engineering degrees from Mississippi State and recently completed an internship with the National Academy of Engineering in Washington, D.C.
"I look forward to not only expanding the programs throughout Mississippi, but to the entire Southeast," she added.
Seiler received a bachelor's degree in biological engineering with an environmental emphasis in 2001, then completed a master's in civil engineering the following year.
Seiler's new responsibilities include coordination of the college's summer educational outreach programs, as well as the Mississippi Region V Science and Engineering Fair that is held each spring on campus. She also will lead in developing innovative tools for curriculum enhancement; planning undergraduate leadership programs; and directing a variety of seminars and workshops.
"She will help high school teachers and administrators learn about the multi-faceted missions of engineering in order that they might better advise students seeking careers in this field," said engineering dean Wayne Bennett.
Along with a former MSU outreach coordinator Teresa Sappington, Seiler developed a shoe design activity for a high school girls' camp hosted by the engineering college. Called "The Cinderella Project," it incorporated the natural biomechanics of the foot and the engineering design process to create a shoe that was both comfortable and sturdy.
"Along with designing the shoe, the high school students had to develop a marketing plan for their shoe through a PowerPoint presentation," explained Taylor, noting the project has since been adopted by engineering outreach units at other schools.
In 2002, Seiler presented the project at conferences of the Women in Engineering Program Advocates Network, an international event, and the Mississippi Science Teachers Association. She repeated the presentation last year at the national conference of the Society of Women Engineers.
BIRMINGHAM EDITOR: Seiler is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Seiler of Moody and a 1996 graduate of Erwin High School.