APRIL 2005 ISSUE
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Silent Vroom |
NEGW SPELLS FUN
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How do you spell “fun”? From Feb. 25 to March 6, you'd be excused if you answered “N-E-G-W.” Once again APEGGA members, students, teachers and the public were invited to celebrate National Engineering & Geoscience Week in Alberta by participating in a host of fun, science-related activities.
This year's theme, Proud Past: Confident Future, reminded us during Alberta's Centennial year that geologists, geophysicists and engineers have not only helped build and shape Alberta — but continue to provide a confident future by ensuring public safety and well-being. Across the province, APEGGA sponsored NEGW events and activities to showcase the impressive work these men and women perform, day in and day out.
For the 10th straight year, APEGGA teamed up with the Edmonton Journal and the Calgary Herald to produce a supplement highlighting the province's vibrant engineering and geoscience communities. The special section, which hit the streets Feb. 24, highlighted the work and lives of a number of APEGGA members. Also included were an activity page for children, and a listing of 10 innovative engineers and geoscientists from Alberta's proud century of achievement in applied science.
Noses and Catapults
NEGW week officially kicked off Feb. 25 – in Calgary at Fluor Canada and in Edmonton at City Centre East Shopping Centre. Professional engineers and geoscientists tested the performance of catapults in Calgary and giant newspaper Pinocchio noses in Edmonton.
APEGGA sponsored many NEGW activities, including the Provincial School Challenge. This event had students in Grades 1-6 attempting to build the lightest and strongest paper chair possible, and those in Grades 7-12 building cars powered by a mousetrap. The challenge attracted a record number of entries, and each winning team received a cash prize for its school.
Over 200 students took part in the APEGGA Calgary Science Olympics, Feb. 26 at Stampede Park. The Edmonton version attracted over 355 students to the Shaw Conference Centre on March 5. Science Olympics were also held in Peace Country on Feb. 26, with impressive turnouts and enthusiastic competitors.
“It goes to show that while there are techniques to be learned and principles applied in the practice of engineering, one should never forget about the importance of creativity and imagination,” Jeff Marsh, P.Eng., said about the Calgary event.
For the second year running, APEGGA held the Food Structure Challenge. Competitors had to build a structure using non-perishable food items, which were later donated to the charity of their choice.
The Science of Family
APEGGA also held Family Science Nights for elementary schools in Calgary and Edmonton. These were deemed a huge success by the students, parents and school staff who participated in the hands-on science activities and demonstrations staffed by APEGGA volunteers.
“Engineering is an immensely varied profession; the activities on display reflect that reality while being very entertaining for the kids,” said Michael Taylor, P.Eng., of the Edmonton area. “My daughter looked forward to it for an entire week.”
Engineering students at the University of Alberta joined the NEGW celebrations by hosting a variety of events. Their popular Pi-Throw raised money for Habitat for Humanity. Other U of A student events included a pancake breakfast, an Electrical and Computer Engineering Department open house, an APEGGA student mixer, and an NEGW banquet.
The University of Calgary played host to the Canadian Engineering Competition, during the week.
On The Road
A special event this year was the Rock 'N' Fossil Road Show, aired on ACCESS and webcast on SciQ. The 23-minute show, filmed in October at Rock and Fossil clinics in Edmonton and Canmore, features a number of member volunteers.
Thanks to all the volunteers and organizations that supported the many activities held throughout the province. NEGW 2005 was a great success, and succeeded in introducing the professions of engineering, geology and geophysics to many Albertans.
Author Credits
BY ALTHEA ADAMS
Public Relations Coordinator