Montana Tech Adds International Society of Explosive Engineers Student Chapter

02/19/2020

Montana Technological University has launched a student chapter of the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE). This new chapter, approved by ISEE's Board of Directors, provides an opportunity for students to learn more about art and science explosives engineering before going to work in the industry.

Currently, there are 26 Montana Tech students signed up for the chapter representing Mining, Geological, Mechanical, and Petroleum Engineering. An ISEE student chapter increases exposure for Montana Tech and our students at the national level within the ISEE organization and its members. Scott Rosenthal, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Mining Engineering, noted, "This is exciting for Montana Tech. Several of our students have received ISEE scholarships in the past, so to see the students take it to the next step and organize their chapter shows a commitment to the explosives industry and a quest for more knowledge about the science and art of explosives engineering."

In January, nine Montana Tech Mining and Mechanical Engineering students traveled to Denver for the annual ISEE conference. Several students volunteered, earning them free conference attendance, exposing them to explosives industry professionals, and attending technical sessions on explosives use. One student presented their research done in the Underground Mine Education Center, the only on-campus underground mine training facility in the US. An added benefit will be the close affiliation with the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the ISEE, exposing students to explosives engineers within Montana.

The ISEE was founded in 1975 and is devoted to the advancement of the science and art of explosives engineering. ISEE chapters are locally governed bodies, each with their officers and by-laws. Although they are locally administered, chapters are formally associated with the ISEE and subject to its constitution. ISEE chapters foster networking, communication, and are the best way to stay up-to-date with local legislation and other vital issues affecting blasters in the field and our industry as a whole.