"Thanks to pioneering educators like Celeste Baine, engineering education is beginning to find a home in classrooms and clubhouses from Maine to California. Educators nationwide are discovering that engineering is just as engaging, fun, educational, and important for students to learn—as science. In fact, it’s surprising that it’s not the other way around; with engineering part of the educational bedrock, and science looking for a toehold. After all, there are many more jobs for engineers in our country than for scientists, and the engineering processes of invention and innovation underpins our economy." - Cary Sneider, formerly of the Boston Museum of Science

Begin by Celebrating
Begin by celebrating engineering classes — to students, to parents and the media. Build an on campus cache of camaraderie and coolness. One of the best events I’ve attended was a robotics competition. Schools brought their cheerleaders and marching bands to cheer on the dueling robots. It was similar to being at a sports event. It’s years later and I can’t remember who competed or who won, but I still remember how good it felt to attend.

On the other hand, using the highly competitive sports model may turn-off certain segments of the student population, such as girls, or members of certain cultures. In this case, let the celebration focus on current events in which engineers save lives, help the environment or serve their communities. In Corvallis, Oregon, each July they celebrate art, science and technology with a festival called da Vinci Days. It’s an amazing festival that helps people understand and celebrate invention and innovation.

When attending the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) meeting in Boston, I had my picture taken in a space suit. As I stood in front of a white screen, they snapped the picture using a little digital camera and five minutes later, I was an astronaut and ready to go to the moon. The end result was impressive. The picture even had words and logos printed on it so that I could be inspired, and remember the organization that gave me this wonderful memory.

Students love memorabilia. It helps them define who they are by showing where they have been. If you are running an engineering camp, event or program for pre-college students, this can be a form of celebrating. Take a student’s picture while he or she is “doing” engineering, put your website or a catchy slogan across it, and the word-of-mouth will spread as that student shows everyone the great photo.