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HIGHL IGHTS A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 7 2 FROM THE FOUNDATION 2020 Foresight and Hindsight The number 2020 is often asso- ciated with 20/20 eyesight and vision. While many of us may have thought we had a vision for the year, all our great plans completely changed before our eyes and we needed to quickly adjust to a new reality. Last month, ASM Materials Edu- cation Foundation board chair Glenn Daehn shared with you how the ASM Foundation was able to make lemonade from lemons by successfully pivoting our programming to virtual. I continue to support that statement and am proud of all those that came together to make that shift to remote programming and determine the best way to continue to serve teachers and students in a changing environment. The incredible energy and dedication of the Foundation’s volunteers, staff, and master teachers made it possible to deliver so many dif- ferent hands-on programs in this remote environment. In addition to the summer program changes, the ASM Foundation has used this opportunity to introduce new ele- ments to our programming that will run year-round. Teach- ers and students can use the ASM Foundation as a source of materials science and engineering information throughout the year from wherever they are, not just during one week in the summer in a particular location. We offer weekly webinars for teachers on a variety of topics, open teacher forums for questions and sharing, and Materials Club for students looking for more hands-on labs and interaction with professionals. The programming the ASM Foundation offers to teach- ers is 100% funded through philanthropic dollars; they are not asked to pay anything to participate. The ASM Interna- tional member support is wonderful and we hope that more of you will join the other donors in ensuring that this import- ant work can continue. Students and teachers need support now more than ever to teach hands-on STEM concepts and the ASM Foundation is meeting that need with our proven curriculum and methods that inspire in a variety of options. With your help, the ASM Foundation can continue to reach out to help students envision a future in the materials sci- ence and engineering field. This Thanksgiving and holiday season, I am thankful for the wonderful people with whom I work and all of those who support this work that allows the ASM Foundation to succeed in its mission! Carrie Wilson Executive Director ASM Materials Education Foundation WOMEN IN ENGINEERING This profile series introduces mate- rials scientists from around the world who happen to be females. Here we speak with Melanie Buziak , a student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. What does your typical workday look like? As a first-year master’s student with both a teaching and research assistantship, my schedule varies by the hour. My thesis is about additively manufactured precipitation hardenable 17-4 and 15-5 stainless steel and my teaching assistantship is with UT’s Office of Undergraduate Research. When I am not in class or the lab, I am working with students who are interested in getting involved in undergraduate research. I also help provide support for students who are already involved in research to participate in poster competitions or travel to conferences. What part of your job do you like most? Working in the Office of Undergraduate Research, I enjoy interacting with students interested in expanding their academic knowledge to laboratories or field work. I know my success is highly attributable to certain professors and teachers taking time out of their day to help me identify and prepare for the next steps in my education. I like to be that same support for students as they work to accomplish the same steps. The COVID-19 pandemic has limited our office’s interactions with students. Despite the challenge of making virtual interactions engaging to students, I am fortunate to work with passionate people ready to take on unprecedented challenges with dynamic solutions. What I like most about my job is the people and everything they have to share. What is your greatest professional achievement? My involvement in ASM’s Women in Materials Engineer- ing’s Retention subcommittee and recent appointment to the Inclusion, Diversity, Awareness, & Equity (IDEA) commit- tee has been the most exciting and fulfilling achievement thus far in my career. Best career advice, given or received: “Always read the manual. Then bring it with you.” - Dr. Chris Wetteland, my undergraduate lab instructor. Do you know someone who should be featured in an upcoming Women in Engineering profile? Contact Vicki Burt at vicki.burt@asminternational.org . Wilson Buziak FROM THE FOUNDATION