About
DiscoverE is the backbone organization behind Engineers Week™ (established 1951), Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day™ (2001), World Engineering Day (2016, formerly known as Global Day of the Engineer), the Persist Series (2005), and the Future City Competition™ (1993). Our programs and resources have been adopted by individuals and organizations around the globe.
Our programs cover pre-k to work force and intersect at the points of corporate social responsibility, public affairs, and talent acquisition. They are highly collaborative, represent the breadth of engineering, and are compelling yet simple to execute. This strategy enables organizational partners, volunteers, and educators to effectively reach millions of students, parents, and young adults with the message that engineers work with smart, inspiring people to invent, design, and create things that matter.
DiscoverE’s mission
Our mission
DiscoverE is a coalition providing every student with a shared STEM experience and the resources, programs, and connections to improve the understanding of engineering through a united voice and a global distribution network.
Our vision
DiscoverE believes a shared STEM experience with an engineer, educator, and student can transform the world.
Our guiding principles
- None of us is as strong as all of us
- Access for all
- United voice
- The engineering design process brings out the engineer in each of us
- Mentors and role models are crucial to attract and retain people in engineering
Michael D. Smith, D. Eng.
President
Kodi J. Verhalen, P.E., ESQ., F.NSPE
Vice President
Partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Dale Jans, P.E.
Secretary/Treasurer
Vice President, Jans Corporation
Kathy Renzetti, CAE
Executive Director
Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, PhD
Chair, Nominating and Governance Committee
Tenured Professor of Mathematical Sciences; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Science at George Mason University
Margaret Dominguez, PhD
Optical Engineer, NASA
Kara D. Freeman, CAE, PMP, MBA
President & CEO, NACUBO
Malika Grayson, PhD
Founder of STEMinist Empowered LLC
Thea Sahr
Deputy Executive Director
Susan Hoopes
Director of Programs
Tori Cox
Program Manager, Future City
Ellen Robinson
Program Manager
Sarah Moore
Marketing Manager
Pedro Razo
Program Associate
Leadership council
Advisory and diversity council
A
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Association of People with Disabilities
- American Council of Engineering Companies
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society
- American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
C
G
I
N
- National Academy of Engineering
- National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering
- National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates
- National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
- National Society of Black Engineers
- National Society of Professional Engineers
O
S
W
Our coalition
DiscoverE: none of us is as strong as all of us
Our dual mission of celebrating the accomplishments of engineers and engaging K-12 students in engineering is made real by a robust coalition of activist partner organizations, volunteers, and educators.
DiscoverE works with our coalition partners to continually:
Grow and support volunteer and educator engagement so we reach more students, parents, and the general public.
Increase the number of coalition partners and strengthen existing relationships to leverage impact.
Drive and amplify conversations internally and externally about engineering education and workforce development.
It’s Working,
- More than 300,000 volunteers and educators work with 5 million students each year to engage students in engineering.
- 51% of students are White, 22% are Hispanic, 16% are Black/African-American, 9% are Asian, 2% are American Indian or Native Hawaiian.
- 40% are below the Federal Poverty Level
- 53% are girls and 47% are boys
As a result of participating in DiscoverE programs:
- 92% of teachers said their students practiced their problem-solving abilities.
- 86% of teachers reported their students learned about engineering degrees.
- 82% of teachers said their students gained confidence in their ability to do engineering activities.
Yet More Needs To Be Done
- 84% of DiscoverE educators and 88% of volunteers report meeting a STEM professional helps students learn about engineering careers.
- 74% of educators report that their students do not have many opportunities to meet an engineer or technical professional.
We challenge you to help us reach every child and provide an engineering experience.
Coalition members
A
- AAAS’s EntryPoint Program
- AAEES
- AAPD – American Association of People with Disabilities
- AARP
- ACEC
- AEM – Association of Equipment Managers
- Afterschool Alliance
- AIAA-NCS
- AICHE – American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- AISES – American Indian Science and Engineering Society
- ACEC – American Council of Engineering Companies
- APWA – American Public Works Association
- ASLA – American Society of Landscape Architects
- Argonne National Laboratory
- ASABE
- ASCE – American Society of Civil Engineers
- ASEE
- ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
- ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers
B
C
- California Institute of Technology
- CAST
- CIE-USA – Chinese Institute of Engineers-USA
- Collins Aerospace
- Cuban American Association of Civil Engineers
D
E
F
G
- Girl Scouts of the USA
- Girl Up | United Nations Foundation
- Girls Inc.
- GirlUp
- Great Minds in Stem / Mentor Net
I
L
M
N
- NACME – National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering
- NAE – National Academy of Engineering
- NAF- National Academy Foundation
- NAMEPA – National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates
- NASA
- NCEES – National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
- Northrop Grumman Foundation
- NSF
- NSPE – National Society of Professional Engineers
- NSTA
O
P
R
S
- Science Buddies
- SFPE
- Shell
- SME-Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
- Smithsonian
- SWE- Society of Women Engineers
- STEPS Ireland