July 2023 – At the Belcan Platteville (PLV) office, community engagement is a core value. The team believes in giving back and making a positive impact in the Platteville community. Whether it’s through volunteering at STEM events, sponsoring programs, or sharing industry expertise, the team members actively contribute to various activities in the area. Here are some highlights of their recent endeavors.
A Belcan Software Engineer dedicated his time during the past semester to volunteering at Platteville High School (PHS) as a tutor for grades 9 through 12 offering support to struggling students, helping them grasp difficult concepts while simultaneously challenging high-performing students to push their boundaries and excel even further. In addition to hands-on involvement, Belcan PLV donated old hardware, including monitors, to PHS to enhance the learning experience for students and equip them with the tools they need to succeed.
In May, Belcan received an invitation to the Girls Who Code Annual Expo—an event showcasing projects and coding accomplishments of the participating students. This casual gathering allowed students, family members, and industry partners to witness the students’ capstone projects. Several Belcan team members attended the event, showing their support and appreciation for the young coders.
Belcan also actively supports the Association for Computing Machinery-Women (ACM-W) Student Chapter at UW-Platteville. This newly accredited program is designed to connect female students majoring in Software Engineering and Computer Science with each other and with women professionals in the field. Belcan team members, including female employees and interns, proudly participate in this program, fostering mentorship and promoting networking opportunities. To further contribute to this initiative, Belcan PLV organized an internal fundraising event. The team offered lunch and donated the proceeds to the ACM-W program. Recognizing the importance of empowering young women in tech, Belcan matched the funds raised, enabling ACM-W members to attend national and local conferences, industry-related events, and further their education in this rapidly evolving field.
With a commitment to nurturing young minds, the Belcan PLV office is eagerly preparing for the upcoming fundraiser lunch for FIRST® LEGO® League. Collaborating with Platteville High School, Platteville Middle School, and UW-Platteville, Ben Grossman is leading this effort.
Internally, Belcan PLV celebrated Women in Engineering Day in June by providing a virtual webinar from Women Lead Change, featuring Girls Who Code CEO, Dr. Tarika Barrett. Within the Belcan PLV office, the team established a message board dedicated to Women in Engineering and Aerospace. This powerful display recognized the achievements of past and future professionals in the field and served as a constant reminder of the limitless possibilities and the contributions of women in the industry.
Looking ahead, the Belcan PLV office has set its sights on becoming even more involved in the community. With a particular focus on STEM activities, they aim to identify local events on a monthly basis to actively participate in and contribute their expertise. Whether it be supporting the Special Olympics or engaging with various youth sports and STEM programs, Belcan PLV is dedicated to promoting the growth and development of the community they call home.
