Florida Tech Celebrates National Engineers Week with Speakers, Events

Adam Lowenstein February 16, 2017

Kickoff Event Tuesday Highlights Importance of Diversity

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Engineering will come to life as Florida Institute of Technology celebrates National Engineers Week with speakers, showcases, an innovation challenge and more.

From Tuesday, Feb. 21, through Friday, Feb. 24, the university’s Melbourne campus, its renowned College of Engineering, and the Florida Tech Innovation Council will host a series of public events that highlight how engineers make a difference in the world and seek to increase dialogue about the need for engineers.

Here’s a look at what’s coming up.

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7-8 p.m., Evans Library P133: Diversity in Engineering. Join keynote speaker Martin Glicksman, the dean of Florida Tech’s College of Engineering, as he welcomes four fascinating speakers: Jokeeta Johnson from Thales, who will talk about her community involvement and share her experiences as a non-traditional engineer; Michael King from Florida Tech, who will discuss his journey to an academic STEM career; and Andres Vargas and Naomi Hernandez from Northrop Grumman, who will speak on how to empower the Hispanic community in the STEM fields.

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Olin Engineering Complex first-floor lobby: The Final Frontier. Hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, this daylong event centers on a paper airplane competition.

Thursday, Feb. 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Evans Library P133: Small Business Showcase. Hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, this event will feature local tech businesses and their stories, as well as activities.

Friday, Feb. 24:

4-5 p.m., Clemente Center, Intramural Gym: E-lympics. Hosted by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Biomedical Engineering Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and CERES, the NASA robotics mining senior design team, this event will pit teams against one another in innovation-related challenges such as building a bridge out of Kinex and building a rubber band-powered car. Alstom, the French rain company, is sponsoring the surprise top prize.
5-6 p.m., Evans Library P133: Closing Ceremony. Join American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers representative Paul Mitchell as he speaks about the importance of diversity in and the challenges and benefits of engineering.

For additional information, contact Briana Cantos at bcantos2014@my.fit.edu or visit FIT Engineers Week on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fitengineersweek/.

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