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February 22 marks the beginning of National Engineers Week. During this week, engineers will have the opportunity to demonstrate their roles and functions in society.
Dedicating a week to the celebration of engineering has two purposes: to increase the general public's understanding of the profession through interactive activities and presentations, and to bring the various engineering disciplines closer together through programs that enhance the skills common to any engineer.
The National Society of Professional Engineers established National Engineers Week in 1951.
The group selected the dates for the event to celebrate the contributions to engineering made by George Washington.
The nation's first president had the background of an engineer and land surveyor. He established the first call for an engineering school in America, which led to the founding of West Point.
In honor of his efforts, National Engineers Week always takes place close to George Washington's birthday.
During Engineers Week, engineers all over the country participate in many events to promote the field through their local professional societies. For example, in the Future Cities Competition, engineers work with 7th and 8th grade students to imagine cities of the 21st century.
In addition, the National Technological University hosts an interactive telecast to inform high school students about engineering careers. Each program emphasizes a different and important aspect of engineering.
These programs have an impact on the entire nation. Benefits of the week include making many more students aware of and interested in engineering. Those presently in the field of engineering will have a chance to learn non-technical, beneficial skills as well as to interact with those beyond the boundary of their own disciplines.
The event has achieved much recognition including notice from the President who commends the organizers of Engineers Week. He says that engineers are, "vital to building a competitive and prosperous America."
Last year, the Presidents' Council formed the National Engineers Week Committee of Georgia Tech to increase interaction among the engineering societies.
In hopes of instilling a tradition, the committee will again bring Engineers Week to our campus. This year, the committee has grown to include the leaders of over 15 of Tech's professional engineering societies. With this representation, the committee hopes to reflect ideas that apply to all of the engineering majors.
The week at Tech will include many activities. A series of workshops will enhance students' leadership abilities. A volleyball tournament, open to all of the engineering societies, is intended to foster spirit within the disciplines.
A panel of CEOs and Senior VPs who graduated from Tech will lead a joint society meeting. GSPE will host a statewide videoconference. An Outreach will bring high school students on campus to introduce them to engineering. Finally, a competition for high school students will test their mathematical skills.
Many Tech events would not be possible without the help of Engineers Week sponsors: the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), GTE, Intel, and Reltec.
ASCE is the professional society for civil engineers. GTE is one of the largest publicly held telecommunications companies in the world. Reltec has been recognized as a premier provider of product, system, and service solutions for the telecommunications industry. Intel leads its industry in semiconductor and chip manufacturing and fabricates many other computer products.
GTE, Intel, and Reltec actively support and recruit Georgia Tech graduates.
For more information, check out this web page: www. gatech.edu/iie/ewksch.html