Want to play a life-sized version of ‘Angry Birds’ or stick yourself to a wall with duct tape? How about creating a PB&J sandwich production line to help make more than 620 sandwiches for the homeless?
This week, the public is invited to numerous activities and exibits — including opportunities to launch water-bottle rockets, watch a Rube Goldberg competition to hammer a nail, and see an electric car drag race — as part of Engineers Week, Feb. 18-22. All public events will be held on UCF’s main campus with free admission. You don’t have to be an engineer or a computer scientist to take part in the fun.
The week also represents a celebration of UCF’s 50th anniversary. The UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) — with more than 24,000 alumni — is one of the university’s original colleges.
The week will feature a variety of interactive, visual events planned by CECS student groups to showcase the fact that just about every modern convenience is possible because of engineers.
Duct tape adhesive, for example, was created by mechanical and materials science engineers. The production and delivery processes to manufacture and package the products on store shelves are created by industrial and systems engineers. Computers, cell phones and virtually everything electronic are possible because of electrical and computer engineers and computer scientists. The buildings we work in and the roads we drive on are possible because of civil engineers.
“At UCF, people will see just how creative and fun CECS students can be,” said Charles Reilly, CECS associate dean for Academic Affairs. “Our talented students will showcase the many ways engineers create, innovate and collaborate to deliver world-changing solutions.” CECS’s Academic Affairs Office coordinates and oversees more than 35 student groups affiliated with the college.
Engineers Week is recognized nationally by the National Engineers Week Foundation and celebrates the positive contributions engineers make to society. The week is a catalyst for outreach across the country to children and adults. Engineers Week is part of many corporate and government cultures and is celebrated on every U.S. engineering college campus.
Below is a partial list of Engineers Week events open to the public, and the organizing student club:
Daily, Mon., Feb. 18 thru Fri., Feb. 22, 7-11 a.m., Engineering II Atrium
Breakfast by the Bridge – American Society of Civil Engineers (Free pancakes)
Tuesday, Feb. 19
Duct Tape Wall – Florida Engineering Society (11 a.m.-2 p.m., Engineering II Atrium)
Get On The Air! – Amateur Radio Club (Talk or text with people from around the world; 1-3 p.m., Engineering II Atrium)
Amazing Race Competition – Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (6-8 p.m., Harris Engineering Center, Room 101)
Wednesday, Feb. 20
CECS Engineers’ Fair – American Society of Engineering Education (Shoot water bottle rockets, play life-sized Angry Birds, duct tape wall, Formula One car, more; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Harris Engineering Center lawn)
Academic Bowl & Trivia Game – National Society of Black Engineers (Trivia competition; 4-5 p.m., Harris Engineering Center, Room 101)
Thursday, Feb. 21
PB&J Sandwich Competition – Institute of Industrial Engineers (Make the most sandwiches to donate to The Coalition for the Homeless; 12-1 p.m., Engineering II Atrium)
Electric Car Race – Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (Electric vehicle drag race; 2-3:30 p.m., Engineering II Atrium)
Tower Build – American Institute for Aeronautics & Astronautics (Attempt to build tallest tower using everyday materials; 3-4 p.m., Engineering II Atrium)
Friday, Feb. 22
Rube Goldberg Competition – Theta Tau (20-step machines that hammer a nail; 3:30-6 p.m., Engineering II Atrium)
Additional information on these Engineers Week events and more can be found at http://cecs.ucf.edu, or click here [1] to see an event listing.