EPIC management strongly believes in and supports community activities. EPIC staff participate in various community activities such as engineering outreach, support to children, Sunday school activities, science fair judging, and fundraisers supporting educational causes. As we grow as a firm, we continue to expand our community involvement activities and services to our community agencies. Here is a list of activities proudly supported by EPIC.
Community Based Care (CBC) of Central Florida
EPIC attended the CBC’s annual “It Takes a Village” breakfast, which helped to create new friendships and important relationships that will help CBC of Seminole grow. CBC of Seminole is an organization that directly helps stop child abuse and neglect. Their mission is to “protect and inspire every child, everyday”, also to provide community resources that will help find safe and caring adoptive families.
Return to Respect Event Benefiting Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida
Return to Respect is an annual fundraising event that provides assistance for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. EPIC sponsored the 2010 gala which benefited The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida.
Support for Local Schools
EPIC staff support in various fund raising activities for area schools by volunteering their time and money for these activities. Prasad Chittaluru serves as a volunteer at the Stenstrom Elementary and Tuskawilla Montessori Academy and is currently developing an action plan to encourage Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) education in Seminole County Public Schools through ASCE outreach activities.
First LEGO League (FLL)
The partnership between FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and The LEGO Group has created a powerful program that helps young people discover the fun in science and technology while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills. EPIC has co-sponsored an FLL team Super7 along with AMD and ASCE for the 2010-11 season. Our rookie team qualified for the regionals and we are working hard to reach the State competition. Super7 team includes eight kids (8 to 10 years old) from four area elementary schools.
Science Fairs
EPIC supports the science fairs for central Florida area school districts. EPIC principal, Dr. Prasad Chittaluru has been serving as a judge and as judging team lead for the engineering and science categories for Seminole County Science Fair, Orange County Science Fair and St. Luke’s Lutheran School for the many years. EPIC annually sponsors cash awards totaling $250 for the most innovative projects in all engineering categories at the Seminole County Science Fair.
Engineering Education
EPIC continues to support engineering education activities in the K-12 classrooms. EPIC regularly makes time and money contributions to various engineering outreach activities. EPIC contributed $1,250 to purchase a model aquifer to help explain the interconnected nature of our environment and how human activities an adversely impact our precious water resources to the students in our community. EPIC purchased this model aquifer for providing it to fellow central Florida engineers who can use the model to educate the students in area schools. EPIC staff participate in the National Teach-In week and support the ASCE Student Chapter at UCF.
Engineering Outreach Programs
Here are some of the engineering outreach programs supported by EPIC:
- UCF Engineering Futures Forum: Dr. Prasad Chittaluru regularly participates in these events and talks to central Florida high school students and K-12 teachers on engineering careers and teaching resources available to promote student interest in science and technology.
- Train-the-Trainer: Dr. Prasad Chittaluru served as the instructor for the “kicking machine” project and served on the team that conducted the first Train-the-Trainer event in Central Florida. Over 45 area engineers were trained in science and technology education outreach activities.
- Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS): This program invites high school students to conduct original research in sciences, engineering, or mathematics. Dr. Prasad Chittaluru served as a judge in the 2008 National Finals event in May 2008.
- Engineer for a Day: EPIC staff volunteered at the 2008 event that exposes the area school students into the real world of engineering. EPIC staff assisted with identifying host companies for students and participated in activities that challenge the students to use their creative skills to build various structures.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
EPIC staff actively participates in professional organizations related to civil engineering and computer software development. Prasad Chittaluru, PhD, PE, has been active in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Water Environment Federation for many years. Prasad has been associated with the ASCE East Central Branch activities from 1998. He actively participated in the technical committees and served as the Newsletter Editor (2004 - 2005), Treasurer (2005), Secretary (2006), Vice President (2007), President-Elect (2008) and President (2010). He is currently serving as the Past President of the branch. Prasad is serving as the Treasurer of American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin (ASEI). Richard Wilson, PE, is active with Water Environment Federation and is a member of the Florida WEF Water Resources Reuse Committee. Mushtaque Silat is a member of the Seattle area Microsoft User Group and actively participates in the Microsoft Technical User group events in the State of Washington. EPIC is a member of TechAmerica, WateReuse Association and AWRA. Prasad Chittaluru is currently enrolled in the Leadership Seminole program as a member of Class 20.