Students discover engineering

At a time when there is an increasing shortage of engineers, several government organizations, universities, and engineering magnet high schools have partnered to respond to the nation’s need for technical leaders. A program called Discover Engineering; a one-day satellite event for the USA Science and Engineering Festival that motivates students to pursue an engineering career, has taken place to spark new energy in the students of today, with the hopes of developing the engineers of tomorrow.

The program was not simply informative for future students, but aimed to stimulate excitement by incorporating hands-on activities, tours of engineering labs and facilities, and opportunities to attend engineering demonstrations.

On October 23, the Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University hosted Discover Engineering, and successfully drew in an estimated 2,000 people who were curious enough about engineering to make the trip across the state of Texas. According to a Texas A&M news article, “Engineering departments, institutes and student organizations put together more than 50 tours.” Perspective students even got a chance to listen to Astronaut Rick Linehann who shared images from his trips to the International Space Station and the repair of the Hubble Telescope. Younger students were able to dive into hands-on activities, while older students were informed of the engineering majors the college had to offer. Other demonstrations that went on during the event included “Aero World,” where the audience was able to participate in the construction of water bottle rockets and then fly them. A flight simulator was also brought in to the school to demonstrate a real-time high performance aircraft.

Dr. César Malavé, associate dean of engineering, who spoke at the event about the engineering program at Texas A&M, boasted about the Discover Engineering program saying, “It was an excellent way to demonstrate what humans have been able to accomplish with the advances of science and engineering and excite the young generation about the amazing opportunities that are waiting for them in a STEM career.”

It has been a year since President Obama spoke about the need for programs to encourage STEM education. With programs like Discover Engineering, it is clear that there is still hope that America will continue to recognize the significance in math and science achievements.