Celeste Baine's thoughts, perceptions and ideas about marketing engineering education.

Celeste Baine's Blog

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  Formerly known as the Engineering Education Advocate

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Books by Celeste Baine

Engineers Make a Difference: Motivating Students to Pursue an Engineering Education

Sustainable Energy Engineering Teacher's Guide

Aerospace Engineering Teacher's Guide

Mechanical Engineering Teacher's Guide

Engineering Principles Teacher's Guide

Engineering Graphics Teacher's Guide

Aeronautical Engineering Teacher's Guide

Civil Engineering Teacher's Guide

Teaching Engineering Made Easy: A Friendly Introduction to Engineering Activities for Middle School Teachers

The Musical Engineer: A Music Enthusiast's Guide to Engineering and Technology Careers

The Fantastical Engineer: A Thrillseeker's Guide to Careers in Theme Park Engineering - Second Edition

High Tech Hot Shots: Careers in Sports Engineering

Is There an Engineer Inside You?: A Comprehensive Guide to Career Decisions in Engineering

Calling all Engineers

Like the rest of the world, I watched Obama’s inauguration with hope in my heart. As our governmental power transferred hands, I couldn’t think of one person that wasn't hopeful about a better future.

The part of his speech that applies to engineering education was the following paragraph: “For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act _ not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.”

To sum it up, he just said that there will be jobs for civil, structural, biomedical, chemical, environmental, electrical, computer, mechanical, geotechnical, ocean, power, industrial, manufacturing, telecommunications, automotive and transportation engineers in the near future. Mechanical, electronic, civil, manufacturing and environmental technicians and technologists will also find employment.

You can use this inspiration to get your students acting and thinking like engineers! Begin with your home town.

Have students:

1. Draw a local map that highlights all of the roads that need repairs.
2. Inspect your local bridges and overpasses for stress cracks or other signs of wear.
3. Locate a field or location that could accommodate a wind turbine or solar panels. Have the students do the necessary research to make sure the location is appropriate.
4. Write reports about how biomedical, electrical, mechanical or chemical engineers could be involved in the future of healthcare.
5. Figure out the cost of the needed repairs or improvements.
6. Present their findings to the class.

This list is only the tip of the iceburg on what you can do to make students more involved in this new beginning. Today’s youth will inherit this earth and we have to give them the tools to take care of it properly. Luckily, they seem inspired and excited about the challenges ahead.

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Posted by Celeste Baine on January 22, 2009

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