January/February 2016

NSPE Today
At 65, EWeek’s Only Getting Stronger

In February 1951, US troops were in Korea, the war appeared to be at a stalemate, and the United Nations passed a resolution calling for negotiations to end the conflict. That same month, President Harry Truman recognized the first National Engineers Week, calling for the engineering profession to “rededicate itself to the peace and well-being of our common country.”

Founded by NSPE in 1951 on a shoestring budget and with no corporate or organizational sponsors, National Engineers Week has developed into a year-long effort—not just a one-week event—managed by the nonprofit DiscoverE. Today, a coalition of more than 100 partners including corporations, colleges, and associations, plus volunteers, helps kids discover what engineering is all about.

For its 65th birthday, Engineers Week (February 21–27) will be celebrated across the country with events like a middle school bridge building competition in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a conference in Pasadena, California, on early childhood STEM; a robotics expo in Ashland, Nebraska; an engineering open house in Green Bay, Wisconsin; and a day of engineering activities for kids in Lithia Springs, Georgia.

NSPE state societies will also be taking part. For example, members of the Mississippi Engineering Society will visit high schools across the state, and MES Executive Director Malinda Battey will spread the word about engineering principles to preschoolers. The Alabama Society of Professional Engineers will host award ceremonies and MATHCOUNTS chapter competitions during EWeek.

DiscoverE also aims to harness the power of the volunteer through pledges to take part in the first annual Global Day of the Engineer on February 24 (www.discovere.org/our-programs/global-day). The goal of the day is to celebrate the accomplishments of engineers, engage students with hands-on activities, and share local innovations and engineering feats.

This year’s EWeek celebration is cochaired by Boeing, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Society of Automotive Engineers.

For tools and resources that can help promote engineering, visit www.discovere.org/our-programs/engineers-week.