From the outside, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) room in Building 20 looks like just another campus workspace. Inside, it is where Cal Poly students turn theory into something they can hold, test and break.
The IEEE student chapter is built around a simple idea: engineering confidence comes from doing. Under the leadership of President Ivan Nieto, the club supports electrical engineering students by offering hands-on workshops that supplement coursework with practical skills such as printed circuit board design, surface-mount soldering and end-to-end project development. Alongside technical projects, IEEE also creates opportunities for students to connect with one another through shared work sessions and social activities, strengthening both technical ability and community for all club members.
That approach defined IEEE’s work over the past year. During fall quarter, a student-led breathalyzer workshop guided participants through the full project lifecycle, from concept to testing. Every device met performance specifications after tuning, and students left with firsthand experience in project development, soldering and troubleshooting. At the same time, the organization strengthened its sense of community by connecting with students through campus showcases, brief classroom visits led by student representatives and collaborations with other engineering organizations.
Winter quarter built on that momentum with a series of technical workshops. First-year and transfer members were introduced to benchtop equipment and basic debugging techniques, while more advanced participants explored battery charging systems and active filter design. Across the workshops, students also calculated, simulated, built and tested printed circuit boards, reinforcing classroom concepts through practice.
For Nieto, IEEE’s role is to create more low-barrier opportunities for students to apply what they are learning.
“IEEE gives students a place to build, test and debug alongside their classes,” Nieto said. “That repetition helps them feel more confident working with real hardware.”
With 31 active members, IEEE provides leadership opportunities, early access to workshops and a collaborative environment where students learn from one another across experience levels. Membership is free, and students are encouraged to drop by the IEEE room to get involved.
Looking ahead, the organization plans to attend the IEEE Rising Stars conference and compete in UCLA’s micromouse competition during the 2026–27 academic year. For Nieto and his team, the goal remains consistent: give students the tools, space and support to become engineers by doing the work themselves.
You can support the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers by joining their Instagram (@calpolyieee) or Discord to be notified of future fundraisers.