New Faces of Engineering, developed in 2003 to showcase rising young stars in America's engineering profession, has expanded to include engineers from around the world. By promoting contributions of young engineers and their benefits to people worldwide, New Faces provides stimulation and incentive for college-level students and encourages younger students to consider engineering careers.
The second major program for 2004, Connecting the World to Engineering, spearheaded by Fluor, establishes a global dialogue with a new web-based communication and discussion vehicle for engineering students, young professionals, and business leaders, targeted at engineering undergraduates to stoke and maintain interest in their chosen careers.
"As National Engineers Week enters its second half century, it is staking out a bold new profile, one that draws on the latest technology and spotlights individuals at the cutting edge of a profession responsible for revolutionary achievements at every level of society in every part of the world," said Joseph V. Lillie, chair of National Engineers Week 2004 and IEEE's lead EWeek volunteer. "The highest goals and aspirations of engineers require all of us to ensure the vitality and prosperity of our profession. That is the message at the heart of National Engineers Week."
New Faces of Engineering and Connecting the World give that message substance, Lillie said, and confirm EWeek's commitment to the broad spectrum of engineering today. All National Engineers Week sponsoring societies may nominate candidates for New Faces from industry and academia. Nominees must hold an engineering degree, be employed as an engineer from two to five years, and have been involved in projects that significantly impact public welfare or further professional development and growth. The Top 16 New Faces will be featured in USA Today during National Engineers Week, with all nominees included on the EWeek website at www.eweek.org. Nominations should be submitted to Kelly Cunningham at klcpr@bellatlantic.net by Friday, October 31, 2004.
Connecting the World online discussion forums will explore electrical, civil, mechanical and other engineering disciplines, industries such as aerospace, IT, and chemical, and opportunities in geographical locations all over the Earth. During National Engineers Week, prominent corporate leaders will also host teleconference discussions on the latest issues and developments with engineering societies and their student sections, along with university and corporate partners.
National Engineers Week will also see the return of a wide array of events that have proven extraordinarily popular. Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, now in its fourth year, is slated for February 26, 2004. One of the week's star activities encourages engineers -- particularly women engineers -- to make the world of engineering come alive for girls. Since its inception, an estimated one million girls have experienced engineering firsthand each year, with more than 110 organizations participating in 2003. Programs ranged from 20 girls working with members of the National Society of Black Engineers' North Carolina State University chapter to 3,000 girls reached by the New York State Department of Transportation in Poughkeepsie.
The National Engineers Week Future City Competition returns for its 12th year and expands to 36 regional sites. In 2003, more than 30,000 middle school students in more than 1,000 schools from 31 regions joined in what has become one of the nation's largest engineering education programs and one of the most successful educational outreach programs of any kind. In all, more than 125,000 students have participated, learning the potential of careers in engineering, math and science through hands-on applications. Notably, 7,500 engineers volunteer 225,000 service hours annually to the competition.
