Standardization News

ASTM International Selects WSU Student for 2020 WISE Internship

ASTM International is sponsoring Patrick Robichaud, a senior at Washington State University, for the 2020 Washington Internships for Students of Engineering (WISE) program. 

Robichaud is pursuing a degree in civil engineering. He aspires to integrate technology that will increase access to clean water while mitigating the harmful effect of climate change. 

During his time at Washington State, Robichaud has been a research assistant in the Hydro Lab, where he has used software to develop an erosion vulnerability map of the Columbia River Basin in pre- and post-wildfire conditions. His current work used computer modeling to extrapolate snow pack loss due to climate change and its impact on reservoirs.

In addition, Robichaud has been an adventure facilitator, acting as a guide and teacher during trips to Pacific Northwest wilderness areas. 

WISE is a competitive summer internship program in Washington, D.C., offered annually to about a dozen engineering juniors and seniors interested in public policy. The program provides housing and a stipend. 

The WISE internship is one of the scholarship and grant programs ASTM International provides to student members. Read more about the WISE Program.

More than 60 students from 20 universities participated in the February meetings of the committee on amusement rides and devices (F24) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mather Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted

Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 ASTM International Katharine and Bryant Mather Scholarship. Full-time undergraduate students completing their second/sophomore years of college (or later) or graduate students (specializing in cement or concrete materials technology) from any country are eligible to apply. The scholarship awards up to $7,500 in tuition assistance. Applications are due April 30. Read more about the Mather Scholarship.

ASTM International Offers Project Grants

Recognizing that students sometimes need financial assistance to complete graduate or senior capstone projects, ASTM International annually offers a limited number of $500 grants to university students to help with projects that feature an ASTM standard component. 

Students who want to apply for a 2020 project grant should submit an abstract describing their project, including these parts:

• Summary of the project goal,
• List of ASTM standards that are being considered to achieve that goal,
• Declaration of intent to submit an application paper for publication by ASTM on the completion of the project, and
• Statement of endorsement by a faculty member.

The deadline for submissions is Oct. 31. Read more about Project Grants. 

Boston Committee Weeks Provide Opportunities for New England-Area Students and Faculty

ASTM International will be hosting its April, May, and June committee weeks at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. Students and faculty are invited to register and attend a wide range of technical committee meetings, symposia and workshops, membership training, and other events that will be held over the course of each week. Meet with ASTM members and staff working on standards development and research on topics related
to civil, material, and mechanical engineering and science.

Upcoming committee weeks and dates are:

• March 29–April 3
• May 10–15
• June 28–July 3

ASTM International meetings are open to both members and nonmembers. See a full list of technical committee meetings and events and REGISTER. 

Paper Competition Emphasizes Sustainable Development

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and its committee on education have announced its 2020 paper competition (open to U.S. higher education students). The theme is “Standards supporting U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.” The competition is part of a long-term effort to spread awareness among postsecondary students of the strategic significance of standards and conformance. Entries are due April 30 by 5 p.m. ET, to Lisa Rajchel (lrajchel@ansi.org). Learn more.

ASTM International Participates in ANSI Education Event at IUPUI

Travis Murdock, a technical committee operations manager at ASTM International, participated in “Setting Standards: A Simulation Exercise in Strategy and Cooperation in Standardization Processes,” a program held Feb. 21 at Indiana University/Purdue University, Indianapolis. The American National Standards Institute facilitated the program.  

This event was a fictional, but life-like exercise to expose students to challenges and opportunities in standards setting, exploring the analytical and practical skills needed to engage successfully in standards negotiations. Participants, with the guidance of a facilitator, negotiated a standard for a fictional next generation technology and simulated a real standardization process through role-playing. More than two dozen students from a variety of disciplines participated.

Graduate Scholarships Offered

The ASTM International Graduate Scholarship is presented each year to as many as four high potential graduate students, contingent on merit and available funds. The scholarship rewards graduate students who have demonstrated high levels of interest in or involvement with ASTM standards. Each scholarship winner receives $10,000 for education expenses. Applications are due April 30. Read more about Graduate Scholarships or contact Travis Murdock at tmurdock@astm.org.