EWeek

EWeek 2010 ENews #8 –February 15, 2010

1. President Obama Sends Greeting to Nation's Engineers
2. National Engineers Week Resolution Introduced to Congress.
3. Future City National Champion to be named on February 16
4. In Local News

1. President Obama Sends Greeting to Nation's Engineers

Continuing a tradition begun with the first National Engineers Week in 1951, that of sending a greeting from the sitting President in recognition of the nation's engineers, President Obama writes:

"Never has it been more important for America's youth to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. The lessons they learn through initiatives like National Engineers Week will help them drive our economy as tomorrow's entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators, and guide our Nation as educators, policymakers, and parents. By helping our students discover the wonder and excitement of engineering, we instill in them a love of learning and expand their curiosity and creativity, which are at the heart of innovation." For complete message, click here.

2. National Engineers Week Resolution Introduced to Congress.

On February 11, a bipartisan group of Senators introduced a resolution supporting National Engineers Week, Feb. 14-20, 2010. The resolution, introduced by Senators Ted Kaufman (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week to increase understanding of and interest in engineering careers among K-12 students across the country. Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), who for many years has introduced this resolution in the House of Representatives, will do so again following the President's Day recess.

"National Engineers Week is an important reminder of the significant contributions engineers have made in our society," said Senator Kaufman. "It's engineers who will continue to address the major technological and infrastructure challenges of our time – from providing clean water to defending the Nation to developing green energy technologies needed to power the American people into the future."

"During these tough economic times, we need to continue investing in education to prepare our students for the new green economy," said Senator Gillibrand. "National Engineers Week will highlight the importance math, science and innovation will play for the jobs of the future. No other state is poised to lead in the high-tech economy of the future like New York. Our state is home to the universities, businesses, laboratories, researchers and the bright minds we need for long-term economic strength."

"Whether it is increasing the fuel efficiency of the cars we drive, designing the latest generation of ultra-fast computer chips, developing better ways to protect our troops, or improving American manufacturing, engineers play a tremendously important role in today's world," Congressman Lipinski said. "And in the 21st Century, their importance will only increase, as we work to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and respond to increasingly stiff competition from highly skilled workers abroad. In order to meet these challenges, we need to reach out to the youth of today and get them excited about science, technology, engineering, and math."

3. Future City National Champion to be named on February 16

After months of planning and competing, the National Engineers Week Future City Competition National Champion will be named February 16. Check eweek.org at the end of the day for results.

4. In Local News

The Human Engineering Research Laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh have a job shadow opportunity for high school girls interested in engineering during Engineers Week. Contact is Shelly Brown srbrown@pitt.edu or www.herlpitt.org.

Blue Mountain Community College in Pendelton, Oregon, is hosting a local competition for students from eight local high schools on February 18. The school expects 20 girls. Contact David H Krumbein at david.krumbein@bluecc.edu.

Girls in the 6th - 8th grades are invited to attend "Helping Hands" on February 20 at Kansas State University as part of the GROW program. They will explore how scientists & engineers design & create products and research new & innovative medical treatments that make life easier and healthier for people with disabilities. Girls will participate in hands-on activities led by K-State students. All the activities will let them play the role of a scientist or engineer as they practice "universal design". Contact susanac@ksu.edu and http://www.k-state.edu/grow/.

Engineers from Delmar Systems, Inc in Houston, Texas, will go to Cleveland High School and give a presentation as well as some type of interactive activity to get the girls involved and motivated about women in engineering. This is the first time the company has done anything like this. Contact ashley.harrison@delmarus.com and http://www.delmarus.com/site.php.

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The National Engineers Week Foundation coalition comprises more than 75 engineering, professional, and technical societies and more than 50 corporations and government agencies. The coalition is dedicated to sustaining and growing a dynamic engineering profession by ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce, increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers among young students, and promoting pre-college literacy in math and science.Among the oldest of America's professional outreach efforts, the coalition also raises public understanding and appreciation of engineering contributions to society through year-round innovative programming and celebration.

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