OTTAWA, Feb. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Engineers Canada is proud to once again present March as National Engineering Month. The next 31 days will see engineering professionals reach out to young Canadians to demonstrate how exciting and fun it can be to pursue a career in this field and thereby play a part in solving society's most complex challenges.
"National Engineering Month is a wonderful opportunity for Canada's youth to discover what engineering can offer them," said Engineers Canada Interim CEO Stephanie Price, P.Eng, CAE. "I'd encourage youth to attend one of the many events throughout the month, or visit the National Engineering Month website to learn more about how their interests and the world of engineering intersect."
National Engineering Month celebrations highlight the many different types of engineering, and the endless possibilities that an engineering education can present.
"Engineering is the foundation of a fulfilling career if you like being creative, working with great people, travelling, solving problems and being rewarded for your work," added Price. "All you need is enthusiasm and passion—engineering will give you the skills to channel that into making a difference in your community, your country and the world."
This year's National Engineering Month celebrations are especially poignant as Canadians mark Canada's 150th anniversary. Engineers have played an integral role in making Canada what it is today—from its infrastructure, to its economy, to the health, safety and prosperity of its citizens. The work of engineers touches on virtually every sector of Canadian society.
"As we celebrate our past, we also look toward our next 150 years," said Jeanette M. Southwood, M.A.Sc., FCAE, FEC, P.Eng., Engineers Canada's Vice-President of Strategy and Partnerships. "Engineers will be front and centre in innovation, in driving the economy, in creating solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges, and in improving quality of life for people in Canada and globally.
"During National Engineering Month, we hope to inspire this next generation of engineers who will lead the profession into the next chapter of Canada's history."
How to participate in National Engineering Month
Organized by the provincial and territorial engineering regulators, and with the support of countless volunteers, over 500 events will take place throughout March from coast to coast to coast for young Canadians to learn about the exciting, fun and rewarding world of engineering. These include, for example, design competitions, robotics demonstrations, and science and engineering fairs that will teach young Canadians how to use math, science, technology and creativity to generate things that were once only in their imaginations.
The National Engineering Month website is also a great place for students and youth to explore the different types of engineering. The interactive "Chart Your Course" feature allows visitors to discover which types of engineering may appeal to their interests most. The site also profiles everyday engineers, shining a light on what an engineering career can actually entail. Visitors can also use the site to find National Engineering Months events happening in their area, and find resources to help promote the month.
Outside of the numerous events happening this March, engineers, parents and teachers can also talk to the children and youth in their life about engineering, or take in a screening of Dream Big: Engineering Our World, which just premiered and is the first film to bring STEM and engineering to the big screen. Visit the Dream Big website for Canadian showtimes and locations.
Youth, students, parents, teachers, engineers and any interested individuals can also join the celebrations online by following the provincial engineering regulators and Engineers Canada on social media (Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn) and using the hashtags #NEM2017 and #NEGM2017.
"We also encourage you to celebrate engineering beyond March," adds Julia Chehaiber, MEBT, Practice Lead, Community Engagement at Engineers Canada and the national coordinator for the month. "While National Engineering Month shines a spotlight on the rewards of being an engineer, you can find opportunities each day throughout the year to encourage a young child to be an engineer."
Engineers Canada is the national organization of the 12 engineering regulators that license the country's 290,000 members of the profession. Together, we work to advance the profession in the public interest. www.engineerscanada.ca
SOURCE Engineers Canada
Brent Gibson, Practice Lead, Communications, Engineers Canada, 613.232.2474, [email protected]
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