SEAOI Outreach Events and Volunteer Opportunities

While SEAOI encourages any meaningful volunteer activity, the following is a list of events that SEAOI supports.  Contact us  to get involved with our upcoming Outreach Events! Below is a list of past activities we've participated in, and we look forward to updating this list - and our outreach events - as we all emerge from social distancing regulations and more in-person events are planned.

Looking for Model Building Volunteers

SEAOI is always looking for volunteers to build models to use at events promoting awareness of structural engineering among school-age children. 

Using hands-on, interactive models is a fun and effective way to present structural engineering concepts and systems to young students, their parents, and the general public that attend these type of events. While allowing for interactive exploration, some models are very simple, others are more complex. 

As we expand our library of models, we are looking for volunteers to create new models or recreate and enhance some of the existing models that we have used over the years. These models are the centerpiece of our engagement with the students and a means to spark their imagination and curiosity while providing tidbits of education.

Anyone with an interest in assisting should contact the SEAOI office.

Future City Competition 

This competition takes place each January and requires volunteers to serve as judges and/or engineer mentors. The Future City Competition serves students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Sponsored by DiscoverE, this national program introduces students to engineering with the popular Sim City software. Students design future cities with simulation software, build scale models, write essays and give oral presentations on their city's design.

IIT Bridge Building Contest

Stay tuned for details on the 2023 Contest!

DuPage Area STEM Expo 

Occurring every February in conjunction with national Engineers Week, this free event is designed to introduce children of all ages to the field of engineering through hands-on activities and demonstrations.  As an event exhibitor, SEAOI typically has three display tables and needs volunteers to assist with setup, takedown, and visitor interaction during a morning and afternoon shift.  

Stay tuned for details on the 2023 Expo! 

Chicago Canstruction® 

"Build Night" for Canstruction® combines the competitive spirit of a design/build competition with a unique way to help feed hungry people. Competing teams, led by architects and engineers, showcase their talents by designing giant sculptures made entirely out of canned foods. At the close of the exhibitions, all of the food used in the structures is donated to local food banks for distribution to pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and elderly and daycare centers. The volunteer requirement varies. 

The past few years have been virtual events -- stay tuned for updates!