 |
|
 |
 |
|
EWeek 2008 ENews #15 – February 20, 2008
Engineers Week 2008 will be celebrated February 17 – 23, and is co-chaired by the Chinese Institute of Engineers (CIE)–USA and IBM Corporation. Feel free to forward this letter or contents to other interested parties. Contents: 1. Future City Champs! Teams from 36 middle schools nationwide, winners of regional competitions in January, participated in the Future City National Finals, February 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. 2. An Answer to the Question "Why aren't more girls choosing engineering?" And What to Do About It. Two findings from Coalition research stand out. One is that girls (as well as their parents, teachers, and counselors) believe that engineers must be exceptional at both math and science and that engineering is overly difficult In a well-meaning effort to arm potential engineers with a healthy dose of realism, engineers often forget to convey what is attractive and meaningful about the profession. What's emphasized to girls (and boys) is how challenging the process is, not the reasons one would want to become an engineer in the first place. The EYL coalition will work to reposition engineering as an exciting and rewarding career choice for young women that aligns with many of their own career goals—interesting, enjoyable, flexible jobs in good working environments, with excellent income potential, and that make a tremendous difference in the lives of people all over the world Newly-developed and tested messages about engineering—creativity has its rewards, explore the possibilities, and make a world of difference—are the centerpiece of a national campaign. Anchoring EYL is a new Web site for high school girls and the adults in their lives who want to learn more about what life and work are like for engineers (www.engineeryourlife.org). The site has a special section for engineers. During the next two years, coalition members will host trainings around the country for engineers and educators The coalition is also hosting EYL informational tables at college fairs across the country by the National Association for college Admission Counseling. These fairs reach 800,000 kids annually. In addition, a print and online marketing campaign is also being devised to drive traffic to the site, including sending a postcard to every sophomore girl who scores over 55 on the PSAT in the late winter of their sophomore year and again in the fall of junior year. Everyone is encouraged to take the intellectual capital that has been invested in Engineer Your Life and leverage it in ongoing programs and messaging efforts and to join the new and growing coalition. For information, email engineeringwomen@eweek.org The National Engineers Week Foundation is the EYL Project Secretariat Click here for a list of coalition members and committees. Engineer Your Life™ online is a production of the WGBH Educational Foundation and the National Academy of Engineering Major funding for Engineer Your Life is provided by The National Science Foundation and Northrop Grumman Foundation Additional funding is provided by Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and the United Engineering Foundation (ASCE, ASME, AIChE, IEEE, AIME). 3.Design Squad Season 2 Launches 4. In Local News The annual Mid-Hudson, New York, Engineers Week dinner focuses on "Energy Security through Engineering Alternatives," with a presentation by Dr. Gunnar Tamm, assistant professor of mechanical engineering in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, United States Military Academy. Also included in this year's presentations is the Newburgh Free Academy Solar Powered Racing Team. The GROW program at Kansas State University will host an event for 100 middle school girls on March 8th. "Everything in the Smallest Room" led by K-State STEM students will give the girls an opportunity to "dissect" a bathroom and discover the countless contributions of scientists and engineers in everyday products. For more information contact Susan Arnold Christian at 785.532.3395 (susanac@ksu.edu) or go to http://www.k-state.edu/grow/girls/upcoming.htm Volunteers from the Bluegrass Branch of ASCE's Kentucky Section will visit various high school and elementary school classrooms to introduce the students to engineering. Contact Tiffany Coleman at 859-422-3024 or tiffany.coleman@stantec.com. ----------------------------------------- To submit content or comments, or to be added to our email distribution list, please e-mail eweek@nspe.org. All suggestions will be considered. Founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, Engineers Week (February 18-24, 2007) is celebrated annually by thousands of engineers, engineering students, teachers, and leaders in government and business. In 1988, the National Engineers Week consortium expanded its scope and now includes more than 100 engineering, scientific, and education societies and major corporations dedicated to enhancing the public understanding of the engineering profession and to promoting pre-college interest in math, science, and engineering as a career option. |
 |
National Engineers Week Foundation
|