IEEE Sections play an important role in inspiring the next generation of engineers and technology professionals, yet many are looking for practical, sustainable ways to expand their STEM outreach. This presentation shares the IEEE Kansas City Section's developing Summer STEM Outreach initiative and presents a scalable, low-cost framework that other Sections can adapt using local volunteers, university partnerships, and community organizations.

The session will highlight how the Kansas City Section is building relationships with universities, educators, makerspaces, and community partners to create engaging, hands-on STEM experiences for K–12 students. It will discuss practical approaches to volunteer recruitment, partnership development, activity planning, resource identification, and strategies for sustaining engagement beyond individual events.

Attendees will learn:

• How to identify and engage local STEM partners
• Strategies for organizing low-cost, high-impact outreach activities
• Ways to involve university students and Young Professionals as volunteers
• Lessons learned from early implementation efforts
• Resources and templates that can help other IEEE Sections launch similar programs

The presentation will conclude with opportunities for collaboration across IEEE Region 5 and ideas for developing a shared network of outreach resources, volunteers, and best practices that can strengthen STEM education and community engagement throughout the region.

Biography:

Kyrian Chinemeze Adimora is a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at the University of Kansas, where his research focuses on applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to optimize scheduling and resource management in high-performance computing systems. His work explores scalable, intelligent computing solutions that improve the efficiency and performance of next-generation computing infrastructures.

He serves as the IEEE Kansas City Section Educational Activities Chair, where he leads initiatives that expand STEM education and strengthen connections among IEEE volunteers, universities, K–12 schools, and community organizations. His efforts focus on developing sustainable outreach programs that provide students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences while encouraging interest in engineering, computing, and technology careers.

With more than a decade of experience in engineering education, mentoring, and technical leadership, Kyrian has contributed to research, teaching, and community engagement across academia and professional organizations. His interests include artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, engineering education, and STEM workforce development. Through IEEE, he is committed to helping Sections build practical, collaborative outreach programs that broaden participation in STEM and inspire the next generation of engineers and technology innovators.

IEEE Region 5 is pleased to feature one of its most impactful recent initiatives: the InfiLab Podcast, hosted and created by Senior Performance Engineer and IEEE Senior member Sowmya Chintakindi. Launched in 2025 and featured in the Region 5 Media section, InfiLab has rapidly established itself as a must-listen resource for students, early-career professionals, and career-switchers navigating the ever-evolving technology landscape.

About InfiLab: A Platform Built on Purpose

InfiLab is not just another tech podcast. It was conceived with a distinct mission, to inspire individuals to rediscover their confidence and jump-start their professional journeys. Each episode delivers practical insights on communication, career readiness, and emerging technologies, carefully designed to bridge the gap between technical expertise and the core confidence required to lead.

Since its debut, InfiLab has released five episodes covering a diverse range of topics essential to today's tech workforce. A sixth episode is currently in production, reflecting the podcast’s continued momentum and growing audience within the IEEE community.

Why This Work Matters to the Community

By hosting InfiLab under IEEE Region 5’s Media platform, we are proud to offer our members and the broader engineering community a resource that is technically rigorous, professionally relevant, and deeply human. This is a combination that defines excellence in our field.

Biography:

Sowmya Chintakindi is an IEEE Senior Member, software performance engineering professional, educator, mentor, podcaster, and technology community leader with more than 14 years of industry experience. She serves as Vice Chair of the IEEE Oklahoma City Section and supports mentoring, professional development, technical education, and awards and recognition activities. Through the InfiLab initiative and her podcast work, she shares practical insights on technology, careers, learning, leadership, and innovation while expanding access to hands-on STEM education. Her interests include performance engineering, cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, career development, and creating scalable learning opportunities for students and professionals.