HeadsUp Newsletter - Vol 4:02: February 2007

National Engineers Week was introduced 56 years ago in the United States by the National Society of Professional Engineers. The idea behind the project was to increase both interest in and understanding of engineering and technological careers amongst future and current graduates, as well as to raise public awareness of the contribution engineers make to society.

Sponsors of the project organise each year a variety of events across the nation. In honor of the many readers of this Newsletter who are engineers, here are a sample of some of the happenings going on this year which you may want to participate in or sponsor:

1. Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (Thursday, February 22) – Thousands of female engineers, with support from their male counterparts, mentor more than a million girls and young women from kindergarten to year 12, with direct experiences in engineering. Get more information about nationwide Girl Day events.
2. Family day in the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. – Dozens of engineering companies and organizations provide hands-on activities for the thousands of families who visit the exhibit in February.
3. National Engineering Design Challenge – Students from high schools around the country use engineering problem-solving and creative teamwork to help people with disabilities enter or advance in the workplace by conquering obstacles to employment. Following the results of competitions across the country, the top five teams go to national finals in Washington, D.C.
4. Visioneering 2007: Designing the Future – This is an annual event held for middle school students in the Dallas – Fort Worth area, held on the campus of Southern Methodist University. It will be taped for a later television broadcast to schools nationwide on Channel One.

This week provides a wonderful opportunity for individuals and companies to reach out to the newest talent in our industry, and encourage and nurture the future of engineering. For more information about the events and happenings during National Engineers Week across the nation, please visit www.eweek.org.