EWeek

EWeek 2006 ENews #6 – December 20, 2005

National Engineers Week 2005 will be celebrated February 20-26. Feel free to forward this letter or contents to other interested parties.

Contents:
1. Join the Cyberchase on January 11
2. Girls and Computers
3. Local News

1. Join the Cyberchase on January 11
Register by January 6 to participate in a January 11 free teleconference briefing on a new hands-on tool for working with young students.

The multi-media activity volunteer guide, Cyberchase: Math in Science and Engineering, was developed by outreach staff at "Cyberchase," the WNET (Channel Thirteen, New York City) PBS television program and Web site. The guide includes activities for kids, a CD-ROM with handouts and graphics, and a DVD with the Cyberchase episodes on which the activities are based. The printed guide is online.

Here's what one engineer has to say about the Cyberchase project: "This is a great addition to our outreach toolkit. We have already field-tested the Tracking Time activity with over 500 fifth graders and they were very engaged in the activity. The students were knowledgeable about the Cyberchase television show and it was easy to make the connection to their classroom studies." Rick McMaster, IBM, Central Texas EWEEK Committee.

The 2006 Engineers Week volunteer poster includes a Cyberchase activity for engineers to do with young students. The National Engineers Week Foundation will also host teleconference briefings for volunteers with Cyberchase creators and Engineers Week staff to discuss effective use of the Cyberchase: Math in Science and Engineering activity guide. Because we have a limited supply, we ask that anyone requesting a guide "qualify" to receive it by participating in one of the teleconferences. There is no cost to participate in the call and the guide is free.

Participants should contact Anne Squire at asquire@nspe.org, subject line Cyberchase January 11, to register for the call and receive the dial-in information. Participants should request the Cyberchase: Math in Science and Engineering activity guide if they do not have it already. On January 11 participants should have the new guide in hand to get the most out of the briefing. Registrations will be taken up to COB on January 6 to allow time for kits to arrive by January 11.

The January 11 briefing is the second in a series. The next briefing will take place on January 23. Each session covers the same topics; it is not necessary to participate in more than one session.

2. Girls and Computers
The Center for Women & Information Technology (CWIT) at the University of Maryland - Baltimore County has useful information on girls and computers as well as outreach programs. CWIT lists issues girls have mentioned as barriers to their use of computers. Among them:

It's isolating. I like to work with people and computers don't allow me to do that.
It's all about math and numbers. I am better at talking and making friends.
The games are violent and that doesn't appeal to me.
There aren't any girls in the technology classes, and I want to be in classes with other girls.
I want to be a mom and technology jobs will demand too much of my time.
I want to be a teacher (nurse, artist, veterinarian...) and they don't use computers.

Also visit the UMBC Website for more information and a video download "Girls Can Be Anything."

3. Local News
G.WIZ, The Hands-On Science Museum in Sarasota, Florida, presents "Strength & Structure" family activities each weekend in February culminating in the 17th Annual Toothpick Bridge Building Contest on February 25th. The Toothpick Bridge Building Contest is a collaborative effort with local companies, engineering societies and school districts for Sarasota and Manatee county middle and high school students. Contact Chris Puchalla at chrisp@gwiz.org.

The 10th Annual Children's Engineering Convention will be held February 23-25 at the Marriott West in Richmond, Virginia. Keynote speakers include Dr. Pat Hutchinson from The College of New Jersey Department of Technological Studies and director of the Children Designing and Engineering project and Dr. Christine M. Cunningham, Vice President of Research, Museum of Science, Boston, and Project Director and co-author for Engineering is Elementary; Engineering Technology Lessons for Children. The goal of the convention is to provide educators and administrators with strategies and materials that will assist participants in preparing children to explore, use, and control technology, and to become technologically literate citizens. Application of knowledge in mathematics, science, English, and history/social science will be used in hands-on designing, building, and problem-solving activities associated with technology. Full registration for the convention is $110. Special one-day Leadership registration is available. Registration forms can be found http://www.vtea.org/ESTE/convention. The convention is sponsored by the Virginia Technology Education Association, NASA Center for Distance Learning, and the Technology Service of the Virginia Department of Education. Convention hosts include the Virginia Children's Engineering Council and Children's Engineering Educators, LLC of Richmond. Contact Donna Smith, President, Virginia Children's Engineering Council, dsmith@childrensengineering.com or (804) 403-3592.

The Puget Sound (Washington state) Engineering Council (PSEC) is sponsoring two free Engineering Week fairs on February 19th. The fairs will include booths staffed by members of local engineering/technical organizations that will offer students a first-hand opportunity to learn more about engineering. The Seattle area fair is a cooperative effort with and at the Museum of Flight. The South Puget Sound fair will be held at the Commons Mall in Federal Way. For more information contact Anthony Leon at aleon@coldwork.com

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Founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, Engineers Week ( February 19-25, 2006) 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.

Previous issues of the EWEEK ENEWS available here.