A student works in the Fluid Dynamics Lab at Penn State Berks.
Penn State Berks is celebrating its history while preparing students for the future through National Engineers Week events and activities, to be held Feb. 22 to 26. Penn State Berks’ roots in engineering date back to 1927, and Penn State has offered engineering degrees for 125 years.
Penn State Berks is the only college in Berks County to offer not one, but two nationally accredited baccalaureate degrees in engineering. Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering are both accredited by ABET, the global leader in accreditation of engineering programs. Students in both programs complete hundreds of internships, and many establish their careers in the Greater Reading area.
All Engineers Week events are virtual, free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Monday, Feb. 8
"Wondrous Wearables" submissions
The "Wonderous Wearables" exhibition is a joint endeavor between the Penn State Berks LaunchBox and the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. It celebrates the ingenuity of makers while providing the opportunity for visitors to the GoggleWorks to gain a better understanding of the digital making process. The exhibit runs from Feb. 21 to March 21. Submissions must consist primarily of digitally created works (3D printed, laser cut, digitally cut, and other digital processes). All submissions are due no later than Feb. 8. Participants who are having trouble printing their .stl files are invited to contact Patty Leshinskie at the Berks LaunchBox at [email protected].
E-Week events and activities
Monday, Feb. 22, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Engineering Club Elevator Pitch Competition
Penn State Berks Engineers Week begins with a presentation of the “elevator pitches” recorded by students in the college’s engineering clubs. Attendees will learn about the college’s various engineering clubs and determine which club made the most effective pitch. Student clubs include American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Entrepreneurship Club, Combat Robotics Club, FiERCE, (Futures in Engineering Role-models Can Empower), Society of Automotive Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, Technology Club, and Women in Science and Engineering.
Monday, Feb. 22, 7 to 8 p.m.
LionSide Chat: Discovering Engineering at Penn State Berks
What is engineering? What do engineers do? How do I become one? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered in this session. Participants will learn about the two nationally accredited engineering degree programs at Penn State Berks: electro-mechanical engineering technology and mechanical engineering, as well as the many engineering degrees that students can begin at Penn State Berks and complete at another Penn State campus through the University’s 2+2 program. Participants will be able to speak directly to the college’s engineering program chairs and students. Attendees are encouraged prepare questions in advance or email their questions prior to the session to [email protected].
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 8 a.m. – Friday, Feb. 26, noon
Engineering Achievements of Berks County Escape Room
Visit berks.psu.edu/engineers-week on Feb. 23 for the link to the escape room.
Participants will complete a virtual escape room while unlocking key moments in Berks County history that made the county a recognized leader in manufacturing technology. Participants will find out if they have what it takes to follow in the footsteps of our county’s engineers to persevere and change the world. Competitors will learn about the past as they answer a series of history questions to uncover more clues. After solving the puzzle, participants will be entered into a chance to win prizes. Winners will be announced at 3 p.m. Feb. 26.
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7 to 8 p.m.
Dear Engineer: A Note to My Undergraduate Self
Join us for an evening of inspiration and reflection as we hear stories from industry legends, seasoned professionals, and recent graduates who share their wisdom on what they wish they knew as undergraduate students. This session will not focus on importance of learning the slide rule as a backup plan; rather it will discuss the importance of teamwork, listening more and talking less, dealing with conflict, and giving back. Attendees will learn how to decrease their chances of becoming labeled as a “shiny shoes” engineer. This event is offered in partnership with the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, Reading Chapter.
Speakers:
- Charles Snyder, director of systems engineering, East Penn Manufacturing Company
- Lindsay Tucker, design engineer, The Timken Company
- Michael Joppy, mechanical engineer, Entech Engineering
- Josh Klostik, engineering designer, Entech Engineering
- Jude Djameh, mechanical design engineer, Reading Bakery Systems
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Explore 3D printing with TinkerCad
This event is for Penn State Berks students only.
Join the Berks LaunchBox staff for a quick introduction to the world of additive manufacturing. Participants will be guided through TinkerCad by designing a tool together. Topics include the fundamentals of “slicing” and “printing” personalized design. Attendees will be amazed at the possibilities of the modeling software and learn tips and tricks for printing their own creations on the LaunchBox’s Dremel 3D45 3D printers.
Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 to 8 p.m.
Wondrous Wearables video unveiling
Tune in to celebrate the innovation showcased in the first annual Wondrous Wearables Exhibition. The video will display the submissions, and announce the distinguished creations and prize winners. This display of talent, creativity – and of course plastic – will be sure to amaze and allow you to realize the only limit on innovation is your imagination.
Friday, Feb. 25, 7 to 8 p.m.
Client discovery “Snowflake Challenge”
This event is for Penn State Berks students only.
In this challenge, participants are invited to build the best solution while focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation. Students will be introduced to customer discovery basics while reinforcing best practices for identifying customer needs and root cause. Participants will be placed in groups to envision the most desirable product for a guest customer. In addition, prizes will be awarded.
For more information about Penn State Berks Engineers Week events, contact Robert Zambanini at 610-396-6178 or via email at [email protected].
