Podcast:
NSPE Speaks
This episode kicks off the holiday season with the podcast team discussing various ways to give back, professional engineers who are making a difference around the world, the history of some favorite holiday decorations, and a look at some great new engineering-themed gifts for all ages.
Date:
November 17, 2017
Segment 1: News and Updates – Ways to Give
- Be sure to check out the pumpkin carving contest from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in California for some out-of-this-world displays.
- As one of many member benefits, NSPE offers 15 free online courses for PDH credits – the list is updated at the beginning of each year.
- The NSPE Educational Foundation is committed to the future of the engineering profession, and you can give back and donate to support scholarships for deserving students.
- NSPE’s Legal Fund provides financial assistance in key legal cases impacting the profession, and you can help achieve their mission by donating to the fund.
- Consider volunteering your time with one of our many outreach partners, including DiscoverE, Future City, and MATHCOUNTS.
Segment 2: PEs and Engineers Giving Back
- Many professional engineers are using their skills and knowledge to help advance and better human welfare around the world.
- Several PEs are involved with nonprofit organizations such as Water Mission, Bridging the Gap Africa, and Engineering Ministries International.
- The Millennium Challenge Corporation and its engineers work with developing countries to solve issues dealing with agriculture and irrigation; transportation, including roads, bridges, ports, water supply, and sanitation; access to healthcare, finance, and enterprise development; anticorruption initiatives; land rights and access; and access to education.
Segment 3: Advocacy News
- NSPE secures a licensure emphasis in The Developing Tomorrow’s Engineering and Technical Workforce Act.
- The US House passes legislation that will involve a PE a role in cleaning up abandoned mines.
- NSPE urges investigation of a failed South Carolina nuclear project.
- For more than a year, the Society has focused on tracking state-by-state threats to professional engineering licensure.
Segment 4: Interesting Innovations
- Hear the podcast team discuss the history of some classic holiday decorations: tinsel, artificial trees, and holiday lights.
Segment 5: Engineering Gift Guide
- At PE Outfitters, you can buy NSPE-branded shirts, jackets, and hats; tote bags, briefcases, and towels – even a wine tote!
- American Science and Surplus offers “an eclectic range of products, many with a science or educational tilt to them.”
- Uncommon Goods has a whole section just for “geek gifts.”
- And Geekwrapped offers an engineering section.
- On the Goldieblox website, you can access all of the company’s STEM toys targeted at girls, including the “Craft-Struction” Box.
- The Ada Twist doll and Rosie Revere Big Project Book for Bold Engineers are newer offerings related to the popular series of kids’ STEM books by Andrea Beaty.
- We opened our activity box from Tinker Crate in this episode, and to receive 40% off your first month of a subscription, be sure to enter NSPE40 when signing up!
- Check out last year’s gift guide for more ideas!
Bonus Video: Tinker Crate
- Watch the bonus video of the podcast team building the Tinker Crate activity mentioned in this episode!
Email thoughts and feedback to podcasts@nspe.org.
