Every April materials engineering students from around the country converge in Washington, D.C. for Congressional Visits Day. Organized by Material Advantage, the student professional organization, Congressional Visits Day is designed to raise visibility and support for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Left to Right: Ziyin Huang, Greg Vetterick, Lauren Jellison, Senator Robert Casey, Jr., Daniel Diazdelcastillo, Boris DyatkinThis year, three students from Drexel Materials participated in the event: Ph.D. Candidates Greg Vetterick (Advisor: Mitra Taheri) and Boris Dyatkin (Advisor: Yuri Gogotsi) and undergraduate student Ziyin Huang. Prior to the event, the students spent several weeks contacting the offices of members of Congress arranging meetings with Representatives, Senators, and their staff. On April 10th they traveled to D.C. and spent the evening learning about life on the hill from Congressional Fellows and networking with their peers.
Back Row (L to R): Greg Vetterick, Representative Chaka Fattah, Boris Dyatkin
Front Row: Daniel Diazdelcastillo (Drexel MEM), Lauren Jellison (Carnegie Mellon), Ziyin HuangOn April 11th, Greg, Boris, Ziyin, and and Drexel Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics undergraduate Daniel Diazdelcastillo teamed up with Carnegie Mellon undergraduate Lauren Jellison to visit the offices of legislators from across Pennsylvania and their home districts. They shared their stories about how federal funding for STEM education and basic research have directly impacted their lives and asked for the Senators' and Representatives' continued support. The group was able to visit the offices of nine members of Congress, including Pennsylvania Senator Robert Casey, Jr., Representative Allyson Schwartz (PA-13, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties), and Representative Chaka Fattah (PA-02, Philadelphia County), whose district includes Drexel University.
This marks the third consecutive year that Drexel Materials students have participated in the event.