February 12, 2004

Boise State Celebrates National Engineers Week, February 23-28

From Feb. 23-28 Boise State University will celebrate National Engineers Week, a program that promotes engineering as a profession and celebrates the creative contributions engineers make to improve the quality of life worldwide. There will be activities for everyone, from children to adults, including engineering displays and laboratory demonstrations at the College of Engineering open house on Thursday. Feb. 26. “National Engineers Week highlights the contributions of America’s engineers to our technological progress, infrastructure, strength and prosperity,” wrote U.S. President George Bush in a proclamation for Engineers Week. “I applaud the professionals, educators and students participating in National Engineers Week for your dedication to improving our quality of life and revolutionizing the way we learn, work and communicate.” Here is the schedule of events for activities sponsored by the College of Engineering at Boise State: Monday, Feb. 23 4 p.m. Press conference by the Idaho Society of Professional Engineers. Engineering and Technology Building, Room 110. Representatives will announce that Boise has been chosen to host a regional National Engineers Week Future City competition in January 2005. Seventh- and eight-grade students from the Foothills School of Arts and Sciences who have participated in a Future City competition in Seattle will present their scale model. 6 p.m. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) banquet. “Electricity in the United States: Stable and Sustainable?” by speaker Pike Teinert of Energy Strategies Group. Student Union Lookout Room. Doors open at 6 p.m.; dinner at 6:30 p.m.; program at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 for the general public, $15 for IEEE members and their guests, $7.50 for students and $5 for program only admission at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24 3:30-4:20 p.m. “Good Idea. Bad Business,” a presentation about start-up companies by technology services consultant Rick Ritter of the Idaho Small Business Development Center. Engineering and Technology Building, Room 103. For everyone who has ever thought, “I have a great idea for a product,” Ritter will give an overview of marketing, manufacturing, management and financing considerations. Wednesday, Feb. 25 8:30-10 a.m. Donuts with the Dean. Engineering & Technology Building, 2nd floor Atrium. Engineering Dean Cheryl Schrader will host an informal gathering for College of Engineering students. 3:40p.m. Presentation about 11th Avenue underpass in Nampa. Engineering and Technology Building, Room 110. Clair Waite from Terracon and Jim Porter from JUB Engineers will talk about this major engineering project recently completed in Nampa. Thursday, Feb. 26 1:40-3:30 p.m. Bridge design competition. Location TBA: Either the Harry Morrison Laboratory high bay or Engineering and Technology Building, Room 215. Students build bridges with a one-meter span from Popsicle sticks with the goal of holding at least 100 pounds. Each team’s bridge will be loaded with a sand-filled bucket until it breaks.(Editor’s note: This competition in the Introduction to Civil Engineering class would be a good photo opportunity.)   “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.” No official programs are planned, however, everyone is invited to check out the Women in Engineering Programs and Advocates Network Web site at �www.WEPAN.org for ideas on promoting engineering education.   5-7 p.m. College of Engineering Open House, sponsored by CH2MHill. All engineering buildings – Engineering and Technology Building, Micron Engineering Center and Harry Morrison Laboratory. The community is invited to see student posters, projects and demonstrations and to tour research laboratories and engineering facilities. Labs and projects highlighted will include biomechanics, rapid prototyping, mini baja car mechetronics, concrete canoe and more. Saturday, Feb. 28 8 a.m.-noon. Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) competition. Student Union Hatch Ballroom. Eleven area high schools are sending approximately 200 students to compete in this engineering competition sponsored by the College of Engineering. For more information about National Engineers Week (Eweek) activities at Boise State, call 426-4432. For information about national and international Eweek events, visit www.eweek.org. -30- Contact Leandra Aburusa-Lete College of Engineering 208 426-4432 laburusa@boisestate.edu Media contact Pat Pyke communications and marketing 208 426-1987 ppyke@boisestate.edu