Acknowledging that the middle-school years are a prime time to reach students with math and science education, Engineering Week (February 19-25, 2006) will launch a new education program to help engineers connect with educators.
“The importance of reaching young people in seventh and eighth grades shouldn’t be underestimated,” said Patricia Welesko Garland, chair of Engineers Week activities, a chemical engineer who works at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Washington, D.C. “Students introduced to the potential and promise of engineering at this age have a much greater inclination to pursue a career in later years.”
Founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), Engineers Week is designed to raise public awareness of engineering contributions to the quality of life. It promotes recognition among parents, teachers and students of the importance of a technical education and a high level of math, science, and technology literacy, and pushes youth to pursue engineering careers. Co-chairs for 2006 are the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Northrop Grumman Corporation.
