1. Tailgates.  We hold tailgates for just about every home game outside of Holden Hall for the department.  Two of the tailgates this year we will be hosting the College of Engineering (GT and UVA).  Our first
tailgate is this Saturday.  We will begin cooking at 11AM..set up around 10:30AM..clean up around 12:45 PM.  If you want to come to all, set up and leave, come late and clean up..whatever is great! Keep in mind, the more events you come to/participate in, the better your chances are at attending the big Annual
Composites/Ceramics conference held in Cocoa Beach, FL...I'll talk about this further down.

2. Next on the list was the field trips.  We want to try and go on about 4 field trips this year if our funds allow us.  We were trying to encompass all areas of materials science.  Previously, we have gone to NASA Langley and Corning in Christiansburg.  We have a couple possible ideas so far, but are welcome to
more!  So far we were thinking of Savannah River National Lab in SC, Corning, US Steel in Roanoke, Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine, GoodYear, Oakridge National Lab, and possibly BAE Systems.  We will be making a survey for everyone to vote on their top choices in a couple weeks.

3. Material Advantage is a big part of MEPS.  We would like all of our members to become members of M.A. because it helps us become a Chapter of Excellence (only 6 are given this award) and we have been a Chapter of excellence for the past 3 years.  We also get a portion of the membership fee (only $25 dollars!)..so it is kind of like your dues if you want to think of it that way.  You also get something out of the membership.  You will get magazines and journals from many of the top leading National organizations such as ACerS and TMS.

4. Conferences.  We go to two conferences each year.  The first conference is MS&T in Pittsburgh, PA on October 5-9.  This is a chance for students to sit in on seminars from leading organizations, companies, and schools.  There are many events for you to gain experience with materials science; i.e. there are mock
interviews, mixers to meet people looking to hire for summer internships, dinners, etc.  It is a great opportunity! I didn't get to go this year, but currently there are 4 people speaking at this conference from MSE including myself.  If you would like more information about MS&T, talk to Dr. Aning..he is speaking again this year.  If you do want to go..send me an e-mail back ASAP!  The second conference is the Annual Composites, Ceramics, and Structures Conference in Cocoa Beach, FL.  This conference is limited in space, about 12 people go.  We go to work security and registration (paid about $8) for the week.  The trip down and hotel are completely paid for!  You get to sit in on seminars on the latest materials and you can even hand your resume out to companies that attend the conference.  I went last year and got a summer job interview.  Since there is such limited space for those who get to go, you MUST
attend events and participate in cleaning up/setting up/etc.

5. There is a MSE Open House on October 20.  We usually have a lot of help for this.  It is the main reason a lot of people join MSE!!  We need help setting up, working demos, answering questions, cleaning up... Our open house is one of the best and we have to keep it that way!  It is also a great opportunity to
learn some more about MSE by working a demo and even answering other people's questions.

6. If you are interested in outreach activities, we are currently trying to start a Demo Kit program where we make demo kits complete with materials and instructions to send to elementary through high schools to gain interest in science! Each year there is a fewer number of students applying for engineering schools.  We believe that by engaging their interest early, they will make the choice to become an engineer or a scientist.  We are in the beginning phases, but if this interests you, please talk to Charles Sprinkle.