The IEEE is a volunteer organization whose members participate for various reasons. Most members like feeling current in the engineering profession, and IEEE is a way to stay on top of current events in a diverse number of technical disciplines. Some members like getting involved in various IEEE activities, contributing their talents to make the organization stronger. And a few members devote long hours and expend great personal resources making their niche in IEEE the example that we're all proud of when we think of IEEE.

Mostly when we participate in IEEE activities, we give our time and efforts without expecting to receive anything back, except maybe a cool t-shirt ever so often. When we participate in student-related activities, we assist in fostering interest in science and engineering in young people. Knowing that our recognition of academic achievement, an insightful robotics design, or a well done science project may ignite the passion of a future engineer is enough reward. But it's especially satisfying when young people take the time to say "thank you" for our awards, because it lets us know they appreciate what we do, and it demonstrates the character and responsibility that must accompany intellectual aptitude to be successful as future engineers.

The Huntsville Section of IEEE judged two science fairs the first part of this year -- the North Alabama Regional, and Alabama State Science & Engineering Fairs -- awarding sixteen certificates and savings bonds to students for outstanding projects in science and engineering. And it was some of the comments of the award recipients that made it "worth it" for me, personally.

"I am honored to have received the IEEE special award. I would like to thank the IEEE society for sponsoring this award and encouraging students like myself to continue to pursue excellence in Math, Science, and Engineering."

"Thank you for honoring me with your most prestigious award, savings bond, and framed certificate at the ASEF, as well as at the North Alabama Regional Science Fair. I deeply appreciate your involvement in the science fair, and enjoy the amount of personalization of the awarded certificate. Again, thank you for encouraging young minds to take an interest in science."

"Thank you for selecting me... with the honor of receiving the 'Best in Show' in the Junior Engineering Category from the IEEE. I am deeply honored and appreciated the award. This has truly been a great experience for me, and I had fun."

"It is sponsors and supporters like yourselves that help to make experiences like these so much more enjoyable. You provide incentive to excel that might not otherwise be present, and help to motivate students to do well by rewarding us for our progress."

It's encouraging to see the diversity of talent, to feel the energy of students engrossed in scientific endeavors, and to feel like we're making a difference with what we do when we participate in activities like science fairs. I personally think we have some great minds out there, and I'm excited about the contributions they have waiting for us as they mature into our next generation of scientists and engineers. So, to all of you IEEE award winners, "Thanks!" for saying "Thanks!" -- you've given us back a measure of what we were giving.