Penn State Berks celebrates National Engineers Week, Feb. 21–26

WYOMISSING, Pa. – Penn State Berks is celebrating its history while preparing students for the future through National Engineers Week events and activities, to be held Feb. 21 to 26. Penn State Berks’ roots in engineering date back to 1927, and Penn State has offered engineering degrees for more than 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.

Masks are required at all University sponsored events regardless of vaccination status. Most events will be held in the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, unless otherwise noted.

E-Week events and activities

Monday, Feb. 21, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., in Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, room 121
Engineering Olympics Project Kick-off
Students in Penn State Berks engineering clubs will get information on the week-long competition to create the best mousetrap vehicle. No preregistration is required. For more information, email aph[email protected].

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7-8 p.m.
Leveraging Your Education To Grow Your Career
To register for this webinar, visit https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0haqax8UQiW7JrJj-Wq6Cg
Industry professionals, young leaders and recent graduates will share their experience as engineers. They will discuss their different paths to their current careers, and how and when the technical knowledge gained through their education helped to grow their careers. This event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Gaige 106
Canstructure Reveal
Offered in partnership with VOiCEup Berks

Canstructure is a building competition for youth across Berks County, as they compete in teams to build structures made entirely of cans and other non-perishable food items. Teams are tasked with holding food drives to collect cans, design and build a structure fitting the year's theme (favorite children's books), and submit their build for judging. After the competition closes, all the canned food is donated to the Helping Harvest Food Bank to help feed families in Berks County. Canstructure's fifth annual competition will feature Penn State Berks Engineering Ahead students, who will build their own can structure on campus during the celebration of Engineer's Week.

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Gaige 105
Engineering Olympics Build Day
Students in Penn State Berks engineering clubs will work on creating the best mousetrap vehicle.

Thursday, Feb. 24, 6 to 8 p.m.
Explore 3D Printing with Tinkercad
To register for this event, visit https://www.picktime.com/BerksLaunchBox
The Berks LaunchBox staff will provide an overview of additive manufacturing. They will discuss the software and equipment used to 3D print a product and review terms and tips used in 3D printing. Then they will detail the steps in the software to design, slice and print to make your ideas come to life. Viewers will watch as they create a tool in TinkerCAD, which can be personalized, and sent to the printers for attendees to create their first prototype. This event is free and open to the public but attendees must register in advance.

Friday, Feb. 25, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Gaige Lobby
Engineering Olympics Competition
Students in Penn State Berks engineering clubs will compete to determine which team created the best mousetrap vehicle. Teams will register in the Gaige Lobby at 12:15 p.m. with the competition beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 26, noon to 2 p.m., Gaige Lobby
Canstructure Open House
Offered in partnership with VOiCEup Berks

Canstructure teams from across Berks County will join Penn State Berks Engineering Ahead students for an afternoon of engineering, communication, and building activities that will teach structural lessons, as well as develop teamwork. Youth teams will also have the opportunity to interact with Penn State students and learn about life as a college student studying engineering.

For more information about Penn State Berks Engineers Week events, contact Robert Zambanini at 610-396-6178 or via email at [email protected].