EVENT: The University of Texas at Austin engineering students celebrate National Engineers Week with a series of free, fun events and educational activities
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 14 through Thursday, Feb. 20.
WHERE: The The University of Texas at Austin campus (except where otherwise noted). Contacts with more information are listed below. (Maps of The University of Texas at Austin can be obtained at: www.utexas.edu/maps/main).
BACKGROUND: To celebrate National Engineers Week, engineering students will use humor and colorful visuals as they stage events demonstrating the role of engineers in society. National Engineers Week is celebrated around the birthday of George Washington because the nation's first president was both a land surveyor and a military engineer. The event was started in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers to increase public awareness and appreciation of its many contributions to society.
Feb. 15, Saturday
Engineering Day at Barton Creek Mall
Exhibits-including robotic helicopters-by UT Austin's engineering societies, and a variety of activities for students of all ages mark this day of outreach, education and fun. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Student Engineering Council. Contact: Jennifer Wunderlich, 565-5800.
Feb. 17, Monday
Rube Goldberg Competition.
A machine design contest that will give engineering students a more creative outlook on problem solving. The student society with the most creative working machine advances to the national competition at Purdue University, Indiana. This year's challenge is to build a machine that will select, crush and place an aluminum can in a bin in 20 steps or more. 6 p.m., Texas Union Ballroom. Sponsored by Theta Tau. Contact: Adam Marinik, 656-5625 or 471-0221.
Feb. 18, Tuesday
Catapult Competition
Students will engineer a catapult from a mousetrap, a plastic spoon, Popsicle sticks, rubber bands and tape (supplied) within a half hour. Then they will vie with other teams (four members or fewer) to see whose design can launch a ping pong ball the farthest. 3 p.m., ENS lawn. Sponsored by the Engineering Honors Council. Contact: Melissa Hotze, 713-213-1253.
Feb. 19, Wednesday
Dizzy Bat Egg Toss
Students get dizzy and toss eggs! Two great games combined. 2 p.m., ENS lawn. Sponsored by Pi Tau Sigma. Contact: Tom Chang, 576-0502 or Gareth Montgomery, 740-6287.
Feb. 20, Thursday
Introduce a Girl to Engineering
The Austin community is invited to bring their girls to learn about engineering, meet and interact with engineering students, and participate in numerous hands-on exciting engineering activities. Registration required. 4 to 6:30 p.m., Thompson Conference Center. Sponsored by the Women in Engineering Program. Contact: Danielle Seabold,
471-5650 or 293-0429.
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About the Cockrell School of Engineering:
The Cockrell School ranks among the top ten engineering programs in the United States and aspires to move into the top five. With the nation's fourth highest number of faculty members elected to the National Academy of Engineering, the Cockrell School's more than 7,000 students work with many of the world's finest engineering educators and researchers. This environment prepares graduates to become engineering leaders and innovators working for the betterment of society.