NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt engineering students will celebrate the lighter side of engineering during National Engineers Week, Feb. 17-22.
In addition to spotlighting the importance of engineering to society, the week’s festivities, competitions and activities are designed to interest students in engineering and scientific fields. Several events will include middle-school and high-school students. Activities include:
Featheringill Water Tower Competition: Students will design and build the lowest-cost tower, using index cards and paperclips, which will support a container of water bottles. The top three winning designs will comprise the most cost-efficient structure that can support the weight. 12:15- 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, Adams atrium (Featheringill Hall).
Fastest Geek Competition: Engineering students race to assemble a computer, with the winner receiving a free Dell computer and the runner-up to receive a PDA. 11a.m.- 5 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19; finals 12:15-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, Adams atrium (Featheringill Hall).
Paper Airplane Competition: Students will compete with their paper airplane designs to win awards for “farthest flight,” “duration of flight,” “stealth” and the “Hindenburg Award.” 12-2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21, Adams atrium (Featheringill Hall)
Potato Gun Competition: Regulation-size potatoes will be shot from guns designed by engineering students to win awards for hitting targets at various distances. Nashville K-12 students to attend. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22. Medical Center Parking Lots 73, 74
Engineering Week at Vanderbilt is sponsored by ExxonMobil Development Company, Dell Computer Corporation, Aerostructures Corporation, Chris-More Inc., Engineering World Health, the Vanderbilt Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, the Vanderbilt Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society) and the Nashville Post of the Society of American Military Engineers.
National Engineers Week was first established in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. It is traditionally held the week of Presidents Day, because George Washington was a military engineer and a land surveyor.
Featheringill Hall is located on Vanderbilt University Campus behind the Free Electron Laser Building.