|
EWeek 2006 ENews #14 – February 6, 2006
National Engineers Week 2005 will be celebrated February 20-26. Feel free to forward this letter or contents to other interested parties.
Contents:
1. Save the Date for College Programming Contest
2. This Week Online
3. How Will You Introduce a Girl to Engineering?
4. Connect with a Counselor
5. In Local News
1. Save the Date for College Programming Contest
Symantec Corporation will hold its first university programming competition aimed at encouraging creativity and innovation in software engineering. Symantec's Programming Contest, in conjunction with Engineers Week 2006, begins February 22 at 12:00 PM PST and ends on February 28, 2006, at 11:59:59 PM PST. Starting February 7, information about the contest appears at http://www.symantec.com/specprog/university/. Competition materials and judging criteria will be available on the site at the competition start. The contest is open to applicants 18 years of age or older who are enrolled in a university program and are residents of the United States or enrolled in a U.S.- or Canadian-based school. Competitors have one week to program an artificial life-form that must survive and thrive in a virtual world. The software model upon which the competition is based will work on a variety of platforms, enabling students to compete regardless of their computer type. Entrants do not need to have knowledge of a specific programming language to participate. Students will develop their programs in a simple, specially-designed programming language, offering entrants with even introductory programming knowledge the opportunity to participate. The first-place winner will receive $10,000 cash; with second and third place winners receiving $5,000 and $3,000 respectively. All three will win a trip to Symantec headquarters in Mountain View, California, to meet with Mark Bregman, Symantec's chief technology officer, and Carey Nachenberg, Fellow and chief architect with Symantec Research Labs.
back to top
2. This Week Online
Learn how to connect with educators this week as the series of "Connecting Educators to Engineering" Webinars continues. Join Lisa Jennings, American Society of Civil Engineers, at 2:00 PM EST on February 7 for "Learning standards: Building Science and Math Standards." On February 8 at 3:00 PM EST, Betty Shanahan, Executive Director & CEO, Society of Women Engineers, discusses "Tailoring Your Message to Align the Ambitions of Young People with the Opportunities in Technology Careers." Click here for Information and registration.
The National Engineers Week Future City National Competition™ is almost here. Congratulations to everyone at the regional sites. The media coverage across the country has been terrific. Here is just a small sampling of articles.
``The best part is having fun, working together,'' said 13-year-old Hoang. He said he also enjoyed picking up science facts -- such as how pumpkins absorb certain pollutants -- while researching ideas. . . See the story
Robb Sorem, associate dean for undergraduate studies in the Kansas University School of Engineering, agreed the event was a terrific opportunity for middle school students. "The Future City Competition is a great way to let students delve into engineering and experience firsthand the creativity that goes into engineering. They get to see - at a young age - just how rewarding it can be," Sorem said. See the story
Reno engineer Craig Wesner, who was a mentor for Pine Middle School students, said, "They are using some things that are proven technology taken to the next level. The whole goal of this is to look at futuristic concepts." See the story.
back to top
3. How Will You Introduce a Girl to Engineering?
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day 2006 is February 23. If you need ideas, visit the "Girl Day" section online. You'll find supporting tips and materials. You can also review or print a transcript from a telephone briefing with front line volunteers from ExxonMobil and staff at The University of Texas at Austin. For example, "We felt it was pretty important when you're doing a program that as you get towards the end you tell them [students and teachers] what's next," said ExxonMobil engineer Mary Studlick, P.E. "You tease them with this one day intro so then give them information about summer engineering camps or other local opportunities." In Austin, the University of Texas program is held on a Saturday when classrooms and buildings are empty. Says UT's Katie Kizziar, pre-college program coordinator for the Women in Engineering Program, "All the activities are self-paced – the students come into a room, work on an activity that's facilitated by a volunteer, complete it at their own pace, take all of their activity materials with them, and then move on to the next room."
Tell us about your Girl Day program.
back to top
4. Connect with a Counselor
This week, February 6-10, is National School Counseling Week. Consider contacting counselors at local schools to show that you recognize the Week and let them know that you are willing to offer engineering counsel and materials to them, teachers and students.
back to top
5. In Local News
Engineers and volunteers with Boeing's Educator Enrichment Day (EED) will make presentations to Western Washington State elementary & middle school teachers in early February on science curriculum that Boeing engineers have created in coordination with local school teachers. The science curriculum meets the Washington State Grade Learning Expectations (GLE's). Teachers will reach several thousand students. Contact is
nicole.m.anderson@boeing.com.
The Phoenix, Arizona, Engineers Week Committee plans a workshop with a local Girl Scout troop on February 27. Girls will learn about jobs and do hands-on activities. This Girl Scout troop and other troops from around the Valley area are also invited to participate in E-Day at the Arizona Science Center. Contact is
Suzanna.Cottrell@gdc4s.com and
http://eweek-phx.org/.
back to top
-----------------------------------------
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 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.
back
to top |
