National Engineering Month
This year Ontario’s week to celebrate National Engineering Month ran February 27 through March 7. This Canada-wide, month-long celebration, was established in 1992 to raise awareness of engineering and engineering technology and the contributions they make to our daily lives.
The theme of National Engineering Month, Designing the Future, honours how engineers creatively unite science, mathematic and technology to support many aspects of our lives. Canadians lead some remarkable engineering feats: mobile radios, pacemakers, IMAX cinema and the International Space Station’s Canadarm. These innovations inspire future Engineers and our next generation of global leaders.
The Globe and Mail National Engineering Month Supplement (PDF) highlighted two such leaders who contribute to engineering, Julie Lassonde, new CIV advisory board member who shares enthusiasm with prospective engineering girls; and fourth-year student Andrew Kearns (MIN) who explores his family history and the mining industry future in Canada’s far north.
“This month draws attention to the may ways Engineers address local, national and international issues,” said Cristina Amon, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. “These events bring together engineers from across Canada. We celebrate our profession, share engineering innovation, creativity and increase the awareness of our commitment, as engineers, to broader society.”
On March 6th the Hi-Skule Annual Designapolooza and the U of T Engineering Society invited grades three to eight students from local schools to join in an exciting afternoon of design challenges that featured an “Amusement Park” theme. Activities included the construction of roller coasters, ferris wheels and egg bungee jumps.
“The event attracted a total of over 300 students and over 70 Engineering Student Volunteers,” said Michelle Chen, a co-ordinator of the event. “With the help of the Engineering Society, the Engineering Student Recruitment and Retention Office and the Engineering Outreach office, we were successful in holding and event which helped to motivate, excite and inspire young minds to pursue science and engineering in their future careers.”
Other events throughout Toronto included 2010 Engineering Innovations Forum, Rube Goldberg Machine Presentation, K’NEX Construction Workshops, Engineers Without Borders (EWB), the 6th Annual French Schools Bridge Building Competition and Professional Career Path Presentations.
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The Engineering Newsletter is a twice-monthly summary of key headlines, events and opportunities for faculty and staff in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. If you have questions or comments, please contact us: dean.engineering@ecf.utoronto.ca.
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