Three ASME Student Members Complete Summer Public Policy Internships

Three ASME Student Members Complete Summer Public Policy Internships Three ASME Student Members Complete Summer Public Policy Internships Three ASME Student Members Complete Summer Public Policy InternshipsASMEs 2013 WISE interns Emily Beagle, Nathan Sacks and Marie Stettler. ASME student members, Emily Beagle, Nathan Sacks, and Marie Stettler, recently served as ASMEs 2013 Washington Internships for Students of Engineering (WISE) interns. Beagle, Sacks and Settler were among 14 students, sponsored by seven engineering societies, participating in the program this summer.Ranked in the past as one of the best internships in the U.S. by the Princeton Review, WISE offers a unique opportunity to third- and fourth- year engineering students to spend the summer in Washington, D.C., learning about the interaction of technology and public policy. The 2013 WISE internships lasted from June 3- Aug. 2.Selected from a nationwide competition, Beagle, Sacks, and Stettler spent nine weeks learnin g how government officials make decisions on complex technological issues and how engineers can contribute to legislative and regulatory public policy decisions. At the end of the nine weeks, the interns produced a public policy paper on a topic of interest to them and ASME, and then presented their findings on Capitol Hill. Beagles paper examined the future of biofuels in the United States, specifically examining the renewable fuel standard (RFS). While the RFS has not been as successful as expected, Beagle argues that the goals of the RFS are still laudable, and recommends some short-term and long-term modifications, such as giving the mandated requirements in percentages of total fuel use instead of volumetric requirements.In his paper, Sacks encouraged the use of biodiesel school buses, specifically how these buses can help local school districts save money, improve health, and reduce emissions. Sacks presents the benefits and challenges of using biodiesel in school buses, and p rovides specific examples of how local school districts are implementing such initiatives.Finally, Stettlers paper provides a case study-driven investigation of the science and technology (ST) communitys involvement in international development, specifically as it relates to simple, small-scale, assistive devices for the disabled within the developing world. Stettler highlights successes in this relatively small innovation area, such as the use of the low-profit, limited liability company tax status, and encourages their broader use in the ST communitys involvement in international development.ASME is now accepting applications for its 2014 WISE intern. The ASME application can downloaded at www.wise-intern.org/application/index.html, and this years application deadline is Dec. 31. To see examples of previous years policy papers, visit www.wise-intern.org/journal. In addition to third- and fourth- year engineering students, recent graduates who are beginning study in an engineering policy-related masters program will also be considered. WISE interns are provided housing in a dormitory on the campus of George Washington University in the heart of Washington, D.C., and receive a stipend to assist with living and travel expenses. For more information, visit the ASME WISE program website, or Melissa Carl, manager, Government Relations, at carlmasme.org.Melissa Carl, ASME Government Relations