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BY TARA MADDEN
Public Relations Coordinator
What does the future hold? When it comes to engineering,
geology and geophysics, the sky truly is the limit. From
collecting new data about the composition of the Earth, to
discovering the outer reaches of space, the opportunities
seem endless.
As we look towards the future, it is exciting to imagine
how many new developments will be brought to us by engineers
and geoscientists.
National Engineering and Geoscience Week, running Feb. 27-March
6, is an annual event designed to increase public awareness
about the important role that engineers, geologists and geophysicists
play in the everyday lives of Canadians. And this year’s
theme, Visions of Things to Come, reminds us more from these
talented professionals lies ahead.
Across the province, APEGGA is sponsoring events and activities
to showcase the impressive work engineers and geoscientists
do each day.
For the ninth consecutive year, APEGGA is publishing a newspaper
supplement during National Engineering and Geoscience Week.
This feature – Feb. 26 in the Edmonton Journal and
Feb. 27 in the Calgary Herald – recognizes the pivotal
role engineers, geologists and geophysicists play in enhancing
our economic and social well-being while fulfilling the vision
of things to come.
National Engineering and Geoscience Week officially kicks
off on Feb. 27 with mayoral proclamations read in communities
throughout Alberta. Displays, corporate challenges and other
activities will also take place at city and town halls from
11 a.m.–2 p.m. to celebrate the start of NEGW.
During NEGW, APEGGA sponsors the Provincial School Challenge,
which gives students across Alberta a chance to use the principles
of physics, and structural and materials engineering. This
year students in Grades 1-12 are challenged to design a bridge
made of craft sticks (popularly known as a Popsicle stick
bridge) that can hold the most weight. Winning teams will
receive a cash prizes for their schools.
Students will also experiment, create and race against each
other and the clock to win gold in this year’s Science
Olympics, being held in several Alberta communities. These
games will not concentrate on physical strength and stamina,
but rather on problem-solving skills and cooperative group
work as teams compete against those from other schools.
APEGGA sponsors the Science Olympics to promote excellence
and innovation in science learning for elementary, junior
and senior high school students. Pre-registered student teams
discover first-hand the connection between classroom concepts
and their practical, everyday applications.
A series of pre-planned and mystery events are designed to
test students’ knowledge of scientific processes, challenge
their skills, and spur them on to practical and unconventional
solutions to unique problems.
The Calgary Science Olympics will take place Feb. 28 in
the Big 4 Building at Stampede Park. Edmonton will host its
own Science Olympics on March 6 at the Shaw Conference Centre.
Science Olympics will also be held in Grande Prairie on March
13 and in Fort McMurray on March 20.
Other events taking place around Alberta include classroom
visits by professionals and mall science exhibits.
MORE INFORMATION
What else is happening in Alberta during National Engineering
and Geoscience Week? Visit APEGGA’s website at www.apegga.org/NEGW Or contact
Tara Madden in Edmonton at (780) 426-3990 or 1-800-661-7020
Heather Frantz in Calgary at (403) 262-7714.
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