The week of Feb. 19-25, 2012, is National Engineers Week, known as EWeek. To celebrate EWeek, several Northern Nevada engineering groups are sponsoring a variety of local events designed to highlight the many things engineers do, help local engineers network and especially to encourage young Nevadans to consider engineering as a career. Many of these events are free and open to the public.
Feb. 11: MATHCOUNTS competition. NV Energy, 6100 Neil Rd., Reno. Local 6th to 8th grade Mathletes and future engineers work against the clock to show off their mental arithmetic skills. Sponsored in part by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Open to the public at approximately 11:00 a.m. FREE. Learn more at www.mathcounts.org or contact Tim Holst, tholst62@gmail.com, 775-232-4533.
Feb. 19-25: Engineer visits, hands-on activities and EWeek posters. Glenn Duncan Elementary School, 1200 Montello St., Reno. Sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers, Sierra Nevada Section. Contact Seena Drapala, sdrapala@charter.net or 775-781-5491.
Feb. 21-23: UNR student club activities and BBQ. Hilliard Plaza, University of Nevada, Reno. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored by the College of Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno. Contact Sam DiMuzio, 775-784-6925.
Feb. 22: Highway design field trip. The Nevada Department of Transportation will provide a tour of their
Carson City office for 5th and 6th graders from Washoe County School District. NDOT has prepared special demonstrations created to get students interested in engineering. The students will tour the engineering department and the materials testing lab to see what goes into building a road and how materials are tested to ensure quality road construction. Sponsored by the American Public Works Association, Northern Branch. Contact Deanna Gray, DGray@bowlingmamola.com.
Feb. 23: EWeek reception. Tamarack Junction (Sully’s), 13101 S. Virginia St., Reno. Meet local engineers and learn what local engineering societies are all about. Sponsored by the Northern Nevada Joint Engineering Societies. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Cost: $25, which includes a $5 donation to the UNR student chapter of Engineers Without Borders. Contact Davis Flaten, davis.flaten@swgas.com, 775-887-2855.
Feb. 24: Engineer’s Brawl. Joe Crowley Student Union, University of Nevada, Reno. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. A dance, not a fight, the Brawl is an old UNR tradition. There will be a maze, Rube Goldberg machines, music and food. Sponsored by the College of Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno. Contact Sam DiMuzio, 775-784-6925.
Feb. 25: Robotics competition. FIRST Tech Challenge, a competition for 9th to 12th graders, Carson High School, 1111 Saliman, Carson City. Judging assisted by the Society of Women Engineers, Sierra Nevada Section. Open to the public at 11:30 a.m. and will run continuously throughout the afternoon. Awards are planned for 5:30 p.m. FREE. Learn more at www.usfirst.org and www.firstnv.org or contact Seena Drapala, sdrapala@charter.net or 775-781-5491.
About Engineers Week
The National Engineers Week Foundation works year-round to sustain and grow a dynamic engineering profession critical to public health, safety, and welfare. The Foundation supports engineering outreach, education, and celebration through a network of thousands of volunteers in its partner coalition of more than 100 professional societies, major corporations and government agencies. Together we meet a vital need: introducing students, parents, and educators to engineering, engaging them in hands-on engineering experiences, and making science and math relevant. The Foundation and coalition are actively putting the E in STEM. For more information, visit www.eweek.org.