READING, Pa. — Penn State Berks is celebrating its history while preparing students for the future through National Engineers Week events and activities, held Feb. 19–23. Penn State Berks, the only college in Berks County to offer baccalaureate degrees in engineering, is celebrating its 60th anniversary throughout 2018.
Monday, Feb. 19, 12:15–1:15 p.m., Perkins Student Center Lions Den
Engineering Club Collaboration
Penn State Berks Engineers Week begins with presentations from the student chapters of two engineering clubs on campus (Society of Automotive Engineers & Aero Design, and FiERCE (Futures in Engineering: Role-models Can Empower), part of the Society of Women Engineers chapter. Each club will give a 10-minute presentation. The event is open to student members of these clubs, faculty, and club advisers.
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building Lobby
Industry Showcase
Students will have the opportunity to visit display booths, meet with representatives from local engineering companies, and discuss career opportunities in the engineering field. Participants include Lutron Electronics Company, Multi-Dimensional Integration, and WorleyParsons. The event is open to students, faculty, and staff of the college.
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 12:15–1:15 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Room 121
Keynote Presentation by Patricia Stevens, Boeing
The college will host a keynote presentation by Stevens, program manager for the MH-139 program, Boeing’s entry in the competition to replace the U.S. Air Force UH-1N “Huey” helicopter fleet, which currently protects intercontinental ballistic missiles and transports U.S. government and security forces. Stevens earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engineering, all from Penn State. The event is open to students, faculty and staff of the college and light refreshments will be served.
Thursday, Feb. 23, noon–1:30 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Room 121
Film Presentation
The college will present a screening of the film "Dream Big: Engineering our World." Narrated by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, "Dream Big" will transform how viewers think about engineering. From the Great Wall of China and the world’s tallest buildings, to underwater robots, solar cars and smart, sustainable cities, "Dream Big" celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small, and reveals the heart that drives engineers to create better lives for people around the world. This event is open to the college community and the public.
Friday, Feb. 26, 1–3 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Lobby
Student Competition: UGears Challenge
The concept for this year’s competition was developed by Berks student Jude Djameh. Students will assemble and run a UGears pneumatic engine model within the time constraints of the competition. The competition is open to all Penn State Berks students and the college community and public are invited to attend.
High School Visits
Student from local high schools will visit the college from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 22–23, to participate in the “Experience Engineering” program, where they will learn more about the college’s engineering degree programs. The program will begin with lunch and an overview in the Multipurpose Room of the Perkins Student Center, followed by a tour of engineering laboratories in the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building. Then the students will participate in a problem-solving activity before departing at 2 p.m.
About Penn State Berks
Penn State Berks offers a bachelor of science degree in electro-mechanical engineering technology and a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. Penn State Berks is the only college in Berks County to offer degree programs in engineering, and all classes are taught in the college’s state-of-the-art Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building.
Building on its roots in the field of engineering, Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute (WPI) was the forerunner institution of Penn State Berks. WPI began as a training center for workers of Textile Machine Works in Reading and provided a solid background in engineering, as well as other technical fields of study. Many leaders of local industry are graduates of WPI.
For more information about the Engineers Week events, contact Robert Zambanini, coordinator of Penn State Berks Engineers Week, at 610-396-6178 or via e-mail at RAZ3@psu.edu.