Engineers Week kicks off with parties, Rube Goldberg challenge

In a week that's nationally celebrated, UCF's College of Engineering and Computer Science kicked off their E-Week 2011 on Feb. 20 at Memory Mall.

A CECS club showcase, an ice cream social, movie night and a code debugging challenge hosted by Women in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science are just a few of the events taking place during UCF's E-Week through Feb. 26.

The Student Panel for Engineering and Computer Science, which is in its 60th year nationally, hopes this year will attract more students to celebrate the contributions of engineers and computer scientists in the world.

Melissa Dagley, advisor for the College of Engineering and Computer Science, said she has participated in E-Week at UCF since 2003.

"Students will be able to become a part of the engineering and computer science community and be able to create a stronger connection with their academics," Dagley said.

Engineering corporations, such as Lockheed Martin, will also be participating in the annual E-Week. The advanced technology corporation will be hosting an informational session on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. in the Engineering II building. Students will receive information on how to gain professional work experience, training and ways of exploring career opportunities.

Matthew Harrison, a senior Aerospace Engineering major and vice president of SPECS, said he's looking forward to the Theta Tau "Rube Goldberg Competition," which will involve students working in groups to complete a simple project with complicated instructions.

Harrison, who is hosting this year's E-Week, also said he's looking forward to the informational session with Lockheed Martin.

"By networking, it opens up job opportunities and allows you to create new friendships," Harrison said.

Engineer's Week Chair Laura Clemens, a junior civil engineering major, hopes the week will bring a lot more student involvement than previous years.

Clemens, who will be participating in the week for the first time this year, said she's looking forward to Feb. 24's "Open Mic Night" event hosted by the National Society of Black Engineers at Brooklyn Pizza.

"I hope students [during week] can form a greater community and we can let people know they have chosen an exciting field," Clemens said.

Harrison said planning the hectic week has helped him to prepare for the workforce after UCF. He credits the amount of planning, delegation and leadership roles he has acquired from E-Week for his future career aspirations.

Adding more thrill to the nationally recognized week, President Obama sent a message to the National Engineers Week Foundation encouraging the continuation of education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"Initiatives like National Engineers Week can spark a sense of wonder and excitement in these fields for our country's young people," Obama said.

Organizations participating in the annual week include SPECS, American Society of Civil Engineers, Institute of Industrial Engineers, Tau Beta Pi, Florida Engineering Society, WEECS, Engineers without Borders, Society of Women Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Experiential Learning, NSBE, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and Theta Tau.

Engineers Week is open to any UCF student, no matter their major or current college. For more information  on events, visit www.specs.cecs.ucf.edu.