Here are some frequently asked questions, and answers.

I don't want the information from my request made public. Is this database secure?

We do not allow public viewing of the records. If you receive a contact that you believe does not originate from the Discover Engineering team and that you think resulted from access to this database please send a note to texeweek@us.ibm.com.

Can I check on my record after I have completed the entry?

We don't allow public views of the database without compromising the privacy of the information provided by our teachers. If you need to verify or change your information send a note to texeweek@us.ibm.com.

When will I be contacted about the program?

School visits generally begin during National Engineers week in February and run until the end of the school year. A team leader should contact you in late January or early February to set up a time to visit your school.

What do I do if I would like to schedule more than a single classroom visit?

Try to be specific about your program requirements in the request. We can do single class visits, handle an entire grade, do an assembly, work at a science night or help judge a science fair. Just be sure to give us lots of advance notice if you need something more than a class visit, especially if you have a fixed date for the activity. If you are not sure we can help with what you have in mind, contact texeweek@us.ibm.com with your requirements and we'll let you know if we can help. We may need a few days to find the right people to work with you.

Do I need to schedule a program during EWEEK?

No, we know February is very busy. We can schedule a program any time during the academic year. We might even be able to do something for a summer camp. Give us your best dates and we'll work to accommodate you.

Is this just a "talking heads" program?

Far from it, we have a variety of activities, videos and demonstrations we can bring into your school. We cannot offer hands on activities in an assembly setting but we can do these in smaller groups.

What will my students learn about engineering?

Our goal is to excite kids about the possibilities of careers in technology. We encourage our team members to talk about why they chose their careers, what they liked to do as children that led them to their careers as adults or what helped to prepare them for technology careers is also a good topic. We encourage our teams to talk about the variety of engineering careers and the need to take math and science courses to prepare for the future. Many of our activities involve working as teams, which is common in the engineering profession. They also involve solving problems, which is essential to success in many fields.

If I can't schedule a program do you have any materials that I can use?

Yes, we can provide videos and activity handouts that you can fit into your curriculum. Contact texeweek@us.ibm.com with your needs. We can also let you know about community events that your students might be able to attend.

My school is far from Austin. Can I still get a program?

We may be able to help. We have partnered with the Lower Colorado River Authority to work with schools in many rural areas. We also have contacts through professional societies who can help us reach outlying schools. Just sign up for a program and let us see what we can do.

I teach a bilingual class. Do you have Spanish-speaking engineers?

Yes, we can provide Spanish speakers if you need them. We also have translated some of our activity handouts into Spanish. Just make us aware of your special need when you request a program.

What kind of engineers can I expect at the program?

We try to provide a variety of engineers at each program, especially at the larger events. Most of our team members are from different companies with different engineering degrees. We try to provide a mix of male and female engineers and include minorities whenever we can.

• If you need a particular engineering focus, such as environmental, make that request when you sign up for a program.
• Individual companies field some of our teams. If your school partners with a business that employs engineers, that firm may send the team. In this case you would want to work out any special needs with the team leader.