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Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) Program

About the Program:

This year, PENC is excited to introduce a new outreach program that targets involvement at the high school level - the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS). JETS is a non-profit educational organization that focuses on inspiring and developing a new generation of engineers at the secondary level. In 2008, JETS adopted the recommendations of the National Academy of Engineering Changing the Conversation report by creating and implementing a new three-pronged approach to career discovery in engineering -- Explore, Assess, and Experience.  Through various publications, online tools, and nationwide competitions, students in JETS programs are presented the opportunities to: understand how engineers make a difference in our world (Explore); see how their own talents and skills align to engineering majors and occupations (Assess); and participate in exciting real-world based competitions and activities (Experience). JETS programs also have a strong diversity component and seek to expose historically underrepresented populations of students to the possibilities of careers in science, math, and technology.

North Carolina currently has two JETS programs established – one at UNC-Charlotte (UNC-C) and one at East Carolina University (ECU). UNC-C’s program, coordinated by Dr. Steve Kuyath, is the largest in the state and features year-round activities like trebuchet and robotics design competitions for students in the surrounding areas. ECU’s program, led by Dr. David Batts, was just established last year.

TEAMS Competitions:

The highlight of both JETS programs in North Carolina is the TEAMS competition – a fun, theme based academic event that takes students  in grade 9-12 through real life engineering challenges and shows them how their individual creative side, along with a basic background of math and science, can make a difference in today’s ever changing world. This competition truly brings engineering to life by highlighting how everyday engineers make a difference, encouraging creative and critical thinking; promoting teamwork and problem solving skills, and challenging students with new academic topics and content. This one day event includes two parts:

  • Part 1 consists of 80 multiple-choice questions
  • Part 2 involves eight open-ended questions, or tasks, that students must try to answer. In doing so, students experience why math and science are so important to the engineering curriculum.
To volunteer at this year's annual TEAMS competitions, click on the links for more details: