It might be only one official week of highlighting the importance of engineering in the world and the innovators within it, but National Engineers Week also serves as an opportunity to spark excitement for engineering education opportunities throughout the year.
Few careers touch so many different industries and hold so many opportunities for people to do what they love as being an engineer. From healthcare to aerospace and the environment—whether its building, fixing, researching or many other roles—engineers are at the heart of innovation and economic competitiveness. A potential shortage of these thinkers, fixers and creators is one problem that this dedicated week hopes to prevent.
Since 1951, National Engineers Week has been celebrated by educators, engineering firms and government agencies. Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers, and celebrated every year during the week of President George Washington’s birthday, this designated week serves as an opportunity to increase public awareness about the need for engineers in every facet of society, as well as re-emphasize the importance of math, science and technical skills in education.
During Engineers Week, a number of organizations hold events for the public to showcase the wonders of engineering. A major force behind many of these engineer-focused events is DiscoverE, formerly the National Engineers Week Foundation, which works to promote K-12 engineering learning opportunities by uniting volunteers to facilitate events and other community programs.
Events it helped facilitated during the week included Discover Engineering Family Day in Washington, D.C., Feb. 16, an annual event since 1993. The free event typically has 30 exhibitors that present engineering principles through hands-on and mind-challenging activities. In the past, the event has hosted engineers, astronauts and TV personalities showcasing the different facets of engineering.
On Feb. 19, DiscoverE’s Future City program held its competition finals. This program is a project-based learning program for students in sixth through eighth grade, encouraging them to use creativity and science to develop, design and build cities of the future. Students start their research based on the question, “How can we make the world a better place?” The program is designed to put students in engineers’ shoes. They have to identify problems, brainstorm ideas, design solutions, test and retest, build, and then share their results.
When it comes to future engineers, a major focus is getting more girls excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. Feb. 21 was the designated Introduce a Girl to Engineering day. This DiscoverE program strives to inspire girls to see their potential future in engineering. The program aims to partner role models with girls so they can share their knowledge and experience.
While Engineers Week may be over, organizations like DiscoverE aim to make every day an engineer day. Its website features many training opportunities for educators and parents, as well as engineers who want to make an impact on students. They also help organize events worldwide throughout the year. The organization is always looking for expert engineers willing to share their experience and help shape future engineers.