As the Region 2 Director, I am naturally very proud of the 13 R2 Chapters and blessed with the opportunity to see the passion, commitment, and dedication put forth for the promotion of ASPE, our profession, and our members. Every Chapter has developed unique means and ways to provide education and be involved with their local communities. I want to share and recognize some of these remarkable activities and programs.
The Eastern Michigan Chapter recently celebrated 50 years and has been known as the “Education Chapter” of ASPE and Region 2. They continue to expand their educational program, extending it out to the local community. In celebration and recognition of Engineers Week, three members of the Chapter visited 15 K–12 local schools to tell students about what engineers do and all of the different kinds of engineering careers, as well as to do some fun hands-on activities. The week of school visits resulted in speaking to approximately 1,821 students with hopes that some of them will pursue engineering in the future. There were nine different student interactive activities, which included “Slip Slide Away,” where the students learn about friction as they rub a smooth jar lid across different surfaces with different textures; “Feel the Heat,” where students build their own solar water heater using tubing, aluminum foil, black tape, black paper, and black markers; “Drinking Straw Pressure Drop,” where students learned about pressure drop through pipes by blowing bubbles into a cup of water through a straw and then taping straws together until they got to 10 straws long.
In March they visited two additional schools, presenting to 11 classes and 298 students, with plans to visit additional schools in April.
The Central Ohio Chapter, which celebrated 45 years, is quickly becoming the “Social Chapter” of member events and activities. They have sponsored a golf outing, pickleball tournament, clay shoot, and AYP hockey game and were the Host Chapter for the 2024 Convention. They have a very strong educational program as well, with monthly technical presentations that are followed 
by an additional program focused on the education of young engineers. Recently they sponsored a three-hour fire protection seminar for members, which was very successful. The Chapter has maintained an ongoing annual scholarship program for students who are pursuing engineering education and careers. They also included a Toys for Tots drive at their anniversary event and collected approximately 50 toys that members donated.
I would like to give my appreciation to these Chapters as well as all of the Region 2 Chapters for the outstanding work, effort, and time put in to support and promote ASPE and our members.
Thank you all for participating, supporting, and contributing to ASPE!
