National Engineers Week Case Studies

Engineering Organization	NJ Section ASCE
Programs	Competitions for pre-college students
Other Programs	Activity Days at NJ Liberty Science Center
Joint Sponsors	Yes
Local Support	Yes
Cost	$6000
Start Planning	November, 1997
Total Hours	Hundreds
People On Project	100+
Contact	Aino-Liis Tootsov Younger Member Director, North Branch Section Chapter NJ ASCE HNTB, 330 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, NJ, 07004 973-227-6460 973-808-1960 atootsov@hntb.com
Summary The NJ Section of ASCE annually spearheads two days of activities at the NJ LSC, in cooperation with other local societies like ITE, ASHE, ASME, etc. We target Presidents Day, with a Center attendance of 8000+ and the following Saturday, and have included a paper airplane throwing contest (aerodynamics of various designs), scavenger hunt of engineering related exhibits at the Center, marshmallow/coffee stirrer constructions and structural integrity tests, interactive bridge construction and testing software from the Internet, Engineering coloring books, aluminum foil tugboat (buoyancy demo) contest, making recycled paper with a blender, old newspapers and a hair dryer, etc.
Funding Sources	The above estimate is approximate, and accounts for all groups contributions. We solicit funds from the companies we work for, and last year had a spectacular model donated to us by the K'Nex corporation that when assembled demonstrated numerous basic mechanical principles in a perpetual motion machine. This year we're looking to have corporations donate plastic bags for our handouts (we give pencils and rulers and whatever else we can afford) as well as the actual handouts, so that our funds may be put towards improving our exhibits. We also get contributions of time and services from our companies. For instance, my firm did the CAD work for a number of displays and mounted them for our use, and I had one of our secretaries do countless mailings for fundraising and volunteer solicitation alike. The NY City Traffic Department donated the use of a "Wheel of Traffic" game and ALL THE PRIZES that were handed out to kids in conjunction with the game. This is the kind of support we look for. Another firm donated funds to buy hundreds of coloring books to hand out to very little children, and I bargain hunted for the cheapest crayons on the planet. This year I think I'm soliciting Crayola for a donation.
Comments	We got a late start last year. This year we have our database together, and some of the more active folks on board earlier. With corporate sponsorships, we could have a really great event. The hours that went into this event are indeed countless. The K'Nex display contained thousands of pieces and took 2 people 3 full days to assemble. I had everyone working from my husband to my secretaries, and everyone said it was a pleasure. I also ordered hundreds of planning kits that we distributed in advance of and during the event to educators, scout leaders, and anyone else even remotely related to kids, so who knows what or how many activities those may have spawned. We sent kits to local schools and libraries as well, and have a bigger distribution list this year.