PRE-COLLEGE FOR ENGINEERING SYSTEM(PCES)
About the Program The Howard University Pre-college for Engineering Systems, (PCES), which was previously called the Energy Expert Systems Institute, (EESI). PCES is an outreach program residential program for high school students selected from the USA and abroad that lasts for 6 weeks during the summer. The program was changed from EESI to PCES to accommodate STEM topics such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, and fundamentals in electrical engineering and power systems. NASA and the NSF sponsored the EESI program for 11 years. Due to the achievements of the previous program, the NSF recommended expanding the program to multiple locations in the US. However, due to increased cost and increased logistical requirements, the program had to be suspended for several years. But in 2012, the program was revived to combat the dwindling enrollment in several electrical engineering areas including power and energy systems, and to attract top underrepresented groups to STEM. The revised program now expands the scope of the EESI program and is recruiting more participants from other states such as Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Philadelphia, Seattle and South Carolina. This revised program (PCES) emphasizes the fundamentals of electrical engineering concepts, and sustainable energy with smart grid concepts. Several design projects using simulation tools for power system analysis for power system design are also introduced.
What Some Attendees said about PCES
“This summer, I had the privilege of participating in an engineering program at Howard University. I was excited by the prospect of living a college student’s life and getting a head start in my education as an engineer. This program taught me invaluable knowledge regarding the framework of electrical engineering. My mind was stretched thin with the mathematics, physics, and mechanics we were taught. Learning the practical applications of engineering was surprising as well. I never knew how much our world depended on engineers before this program. Participating has definitely reinforced my decision to pursue a career as an engineer for the betterment of our world. The labs and lectures were always insightful and our professors were extremely knowledgeable in their subject areas. I learned a lot from these lessons and I would not trade this knowledge for the world. I am happy with my overall experience at this program and would definitely do it again!”
Our PCES Outreach
This year like every other year was worth the while…!
Below is a just a sneak peak, to view details click this link
HIGH SCHOOL PROJECTS
During the summer outreach program conducted by CESaC for the high school students, the students participate in different kind of engineering projects that covers the concepts of different engineering topics including renewable energy, smart homes, and power engineering.
Some of the past projects are listed below based on their area:
Smart Home system:
1. Temperature Sensor: This system was made for sensing temperature changes and further sending and emergency signal or a temperature control signal to the central air conditioning.
2. Sound security system: A sound security system that sounds even when an appliance wants to communicate. For example: when a washing machine is broken, it has the ability to warn the household about the malfunction.
3. Smart home for energy efficiency:
This project was made so that it can be used in smart-home that is energy efficient and will be able to conserve energy. For example: switching off an unwanted light before smartly switching on the needed light.
4. Smart Home: Smart home concept was built to create an alarm system to warn the occupants of any damage to the house like: broken pipes, exposed wires and other damages. This alarm is designed to react in real time and not just as an analysis tool.
POWER ENGINEERING:
Intelligent Load Control: In this project, a microcontroller is designed to control and optimize the input power in such a way that weighted loads are compensated at first (in case of shortage). Furthermore, this is also used to save power and make the power consumption more efficient.
Energy/Renewable Energy: Smart reconfigurable converter, renewable energy sources. To maximize efficiency and minimize cost of consuming power using different combinations of different renewable sources available.
Smart Box:
Smart box refers to a device which can take different forms of energy and energy sources to further optimize on which energy to use and how much to use for powering up an electric device.
This year like every other year was worth the while…!
Below is a just a sneak peak, to view details click this link
HIGH SCHOOL PROJECTS
During the summer outreach program conducted by CESaC for the high school students, the students participate in different kind of engineering projects that covers the concepts of different engineering topics including renewable energy, smart homes, and power engineering.
Some of the past projects are listed below based on their area:
Smart Home system:
1. Temperature Sensor: This system was made for sensing temperature changes and further sending and emergency signal or a temperature control signal to the central air conditioning.
2. Sound security system: A sound security system that sounds even when an appliance wants to communicate. For example: when a washing machine is broken, it has the ability to warn the household about the malfunction.
3. Smart home for energy efficiency:
This project was made so that it can be used in smart-home that is energy efficient and will be able to conserve energy. For example: switching off an unwanted light before smartly switching on the needed light.
4. Smart Home: Smart home concept was built to create an alarm system to warn the occupants of any damage to the house like: broken pipes, exposed wires and other damages. This alarm is designed to react in real time and not just as an analysis tool.
POWER ENGINEERING:
Intelligent Load Control: In this project, a microcontroller is designed to control and optimize the input power in such a way that weighted loads are compensated at first (in case of shortage). Furthermore, this is also used to save power and make the power consumption more efficient.
Energy/Renewable Energy: Smart reconfigurable converter, renewable energy sources. To maximize efficiency and minimize cost of consuming power using different combinations of different renewable sources available.
Smart Box:
Smart box refers to a device which can take different forms of energy and energy sources to further optimize on which energy to use and how much to use for powering up an electric device.
MORE ABOUT PRE-COLLEGE FOR ENGINEERING SYSTEMS (PCES)
Other programs in the country teach electrical engineering, but cover few topics and do very few hands on projects in energy and power system areas. The approach taken in the PCES program at Howard is unique compared to existing pre-college programs in the country. Our program focuses not just exclusively on addressing the question “what is engineering?” but rather on “why choose engineering?” The program emphasizes the impact of green technology on careers in power systems. The Howard University (HU) PCES program accepts 25 to 30 11th and 12th grade students. PCES provides them with the foundation of electrical engineering through problem solving and power system projects. The declining enrollment in STEM, especially of underrepresented groups, can be addressed by the discipline and rigor of our program. Introducing this rigorous summer engineering program at Howard. Our program at Howard University uses a team based approach which includes Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), graduate students as mentors, and also the faculty working together to implement engineering projects that motivate the students creativity and innovation.
Furthermore, the program also recognized that some youths often lack the discipline it takes to sustain excellence while working in teams. This spirit of teamwork, which is often overlooked, is of great most importance to the students’ future education and professional development and overall success. The students are therefore, are taught ways to continuously problems engage in tackling problems even the complex ones, by brainstorming issues with their colleagues, and engaging in an interactive problem-solving environment. Furthermore, The program often engages in -group competitions to help students realize the importance of time management, creativity, innovation and teamwork. Our program, does a rigorously assessment and tracking of students’ performance during and after matriculation from the program not only to determine if the objectives of the program were being met and if but also what necessary corrective actions should be taken.
Here are a few questions peple have about the program
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS
