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There are a number of groups for you to join in the Woodruff School. These organizations offer you a unique opportunity to learn about the many facets of mechanical engineering, let you meet practicing professionals, and they also provide valuable service to the School. You are strongly encouraged to participate in one or more of these groups. For general information, view this page.

Honor Society

• Pi Tau Sigma - Pi Tau Sigma is the national honorary society of mechanical engineers. Invitations to join are extended to junior and senior mechanical engineering students who have distinguished themselves by high academic achievement. The Georgia Tech Chapter holds several meetings a semester to organize its service projects, such as the Academic Study Program which helps students in several Mechanical Engineering courses. Pi Tau Sigma also presents three awards each year to the outstanding mechanical engineering students in the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. The Society sponsors the Mechanical Challenge, a jeopardy-style competition with questions similar to the ones in the GRE and EIT exams. Dr. Janet Allen is the faculty advisor.

Professional Societies

• Acoustical Society of America (ASA) - The ASA is a world-renowned scientific society in acoustics, dedicated to increasing and diffusingknowledge of acoustics and its practical applications. The student chapter meets regularly for a variety of activities such as tours and technical seminars, providing networking opportunities between students, faculty, researchers, and local industry members. Drs. Erica Ryherd and Karim Sabra are the faculty advisors.

• American Nuclear Society (ANS) - The student section of the ANS is the link for prospective nuclear engineers with their chosen profession. Membership provides students with a subscription to the Society magazine, Nuclear News, technical paper reprints at a reduced rate, and eligibility for special student loans and scholarships. The section holds monthly meetings which feature presentations by practicing engineers. Dr.Wilfred van Rooijen is the faculty advisor.

• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) - The ASHRAE is an international professional and technical society devoted to promoting the art and science of heating, refrigerating, air-conditioning, ventilation, and allied technologies. The student chapter meets twice a semester. Membership includes a subscription to the monthly magazine, The ASHRAE Journal. Dr. Sheldon Jeter is the faculty advisor.

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) - The student section of the ASME is the link for prospective mechanical engineers with their chosen profession. Membership provides students with a subscription to the Society magazine, Mechanical Engineering, technical paper reprints at a reduced rate, and eligibility for student loans and scholarships. The section holds monthly meetings which feature presentations by practicing engineers and sponsors several annual events such as the Spring Picnic. The award-winning chapter is one of the largest student groups on campus. Dr. William Singhose is the faculty advisor.

• SAE International - SAE International strives to further research, development, design, manufacture, and utilization of vehicles which operate on land and sea, and in air and space. The student section is one of the largest in the country and attracts excellent speakers and presentations for its meetings, which are held four to six times a semester. gt motorsports and GT Off-Road are subgroups of the section. Membership in the student section includes a subscription to the monthly technical journal, Automotive Engineering. Dr. Ken Cunefare is the faculty advisor.

• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) - The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is an international professional society dedicated to serving its members and the manufacturing community through the advancement of professionalism, knowledge, and learning. Members have access to the resources needed to compete in today's rapidly changing manufacturing environment. The student chapter meets regularly and sponsors plant trips and events such as building a bridge out of toothpicks. Dr. Rhett Mayor is the faculty advisor.

Student Competition Groups

• gt motorsports - gt motorsports was founded in 1986 by a group of students who felt they could gain valuable experience by applying their classroom knowledge to real-world problems. Each academic year the team conceives, designs, builds, and tests a single seat formula race car to compete in the annual SAE Formula Competition in Pontiac, Michigan. The students are responsible for every aspect of the car, including fundraising to finance the program. Beginning in summer 2000, the team competed in the international formula competition held in Birmingham, England, winning the competition in 2001 and 2002. In December 2003, the team went to Australia and won the overall competition. Dr. Ken Cunefare is the faculty advisor.

• GT Off-Road (SAE-Baja Team) - GT Off-Road is a group of mechanical engineering, industrial design, industrial engineering, and management students. The team designs and builds a single seat vehicle from scratch. Members are trained in machining skills and make the parts they design. The only standard for the competition is a 10 hp Briggs and Stratton engine. In June 2000 the team competed in their first competition. Mini-Baja racing is under the auspices of SAE International. Dr. Ken Cunefare is the faculty advisor.

• RoboJackets - RoboJackets competes in national and international robotics competitions, promotes robotics at Georgia Tech, and helps students learn skills necessary to build robots.Teams compete in events such as Battlebots, RoboCup, the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition, and Independent Projects. The group also works with high schools and community groups as part of the FIRST competition. Dr. Chris Paredis is the faculty advisor for RoboJackets and Dr. Wayne Book is the faculty advisor for FIRST.
• Wreck Racing - This club purchases, repairs, and modifies a car to compete in the annual Grassroots Motorsports Challenge in Gainesville, Florida. The competition consists of an autocross (speed/handling), drag race (speed in a straight line), and contours (cosmetics) judging while facing a strict budget cap. The budget is $2,007, including the cost of the car. Drivetrains, suspensions, brakes, exteriors, interiors, electrical and fuel systems can be modified. Wheels and tires can be replaced. Only road worthy passenger cars can be used. Mr. Sterling Skinner advises the team.

Umbrella Groups

• Woodruff School Student Advisory Committee (WSSAC) - SSAC is the umbrella organization in the Woodruff School and is open to all students. Joining this group is the best way to become part of the decision-making process in the Woodruff School. WSSAC advises the faculty and administration on issues that directly affect the students. They sponsor the Annual Woodruff School Spring Banquet, publish a newsletter (Mechanical Engineering News), help interview candidates for faculty positions, and work to improve faculty and student relations. Ms. Kristi Mehaffey advises the group.