Engineering Challenges of the 21st Century: A Discussion with Leaders of Engineering Change Lab – USA

The world is facing an unprecedented wave of change. Accelerating technological progress, rapidly evolving societal needs, and growing environmental imperatives, including climate change, all present significant, existential challenges and opportunities. The world’s experiences with the coronavirus pandemic has heightened awareness of the need to be better prepared for these challenges. Maintaining the status quo is not an option for the engineering community.  The Engineering Change Lab – USA (ECL-USA) is a catalyst for change within the engineering community, helping it reach its highest potential on behalf of society in addressing the engineering challenges of the 21st Century.  This session will provide an overview of ECL-USA, its history, vision/mission, and key learnings about the future of engineering.

Learning Objectives:

1. Become better informed on the current state of the construction community, as informed by ECL-USA’s diverse group of stakeholders.
2. Contribute in new ways to addressing challenges of the 21st century through teaching new engineers; through adapting the public sector, private sector and industry practice of engineering; and through engagement in public policy.
3. Become better informed about trends and issues that will impact the role of engineering in the future and incorporate these trends into the teaching of engineering, the practice of engineering, and lifelong learning.
4. Understand the new types of skills that engineers of the future will need to embrace to contribute at higher levels (leadership, collaboration, high level communication, systems thinking, etc.) and invest in ensuring that engineers acquire these skills through education at all levels, including through lifelong learning.
5. Pursue partnerships and collaborations that capitalize on the linkages between emerging technologies and engineering challenges of the 21st century.
6. Inspire participants to extend the discussion of the future of engineering in their own organizations.
7. Spark interest in future engagement with ECL-USA.

Mike McMeekin, P.E.

Mike is one of the founders of Engineering Change Lab-USA.  He became ECL-USA’s first Executive Director in August 2019.
 
McMeekin is also Senior Advisor to Lamp, Rynearson, an engineering, landscape architecture, and surveying firm headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.  He has over 44 years of engineering experience.  Mike is a graduate of the American Council of Engineering Companies’ Senior Executives Institute. He is deeply involved in the Omaha-area community, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Omaha by Design and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ACE Mentor Omaha.