Communicating about Engineering

1. Communicating about Engineering DAVID BOWKER, PURDUE UNIVERSITY

2. overview • Definitions of Engineering • Engineering Demographics • Engineering Functions • Myths about Engineers • Conceptual Framework • Questions and Discussion

3. Okay, you tell us… • WHAT DO ENGINEERS ACTUALLY DO? • (Take a few minutes to brainstorm here…we’ve got time!)

4. What Do Engineers Do? Source: Harris Poll, December 2003

5. Contributing To Society Source: Harris Poll, December 2003

6. Why Is Engineering Important? “Engineers have a hand in designing, creating, or modifying nearly everything we touch, wear, eat, see, and hear in our daily lives.” - American Society of Engineering Education

7. What do engineers actually do? • Endoscopes • Automobiles • The flush toilet • Google • Email • Air conditioning • iPods • Solar power • Bionic limbs • Incubators • Clean water • Bridges • Cleaning up the Gulf after the oil spill • Solar power • Cell phones and computers • MLB schedule • Amazon.com • artificial organs • biodegradable plastic

8. What do engineers actually do? Melt-a-way Cupcake Liners

9. What is engineering? Or: what isn’t engineering?

10. What is engineering? • More brainstorming—who does engineering? How do you define engineering?

11. What is engineering? • Application of • Problem-solving skills • Creativity, intuition • Math, science, technology • Engineers are problem solvers who search for quicker, better, and less • expensive ways to use the forces and materials of nature to meet today’s • challenges. • The application of creativity and teamwork using Math and science principles as tools to solve problems • Develop real-world solutions which impact various areas of medicine, business, law, music, environment, nutrition, education … • Engineers are changing the world all the time. They dream up creative, practical solutions and work with other smart, inspiring people to invent, design, and build things that matter[

12. What is engineering? • In every major you learn core skill sets, such as: • Problem-identifying and problem-solving • Project Management • Design and innovation • Global perspective and ethics • Political Sensitivity • Team dynamics and communication • Predicting Performance • Adapting to Change • Learning to learn

13. What is engineering?

14. What is engineering? • Environmental • Industrial • Manufacturing • Materials • Mechanical • Nuclear • Ocean • Operations Research • Petroleum • Aerospace • Agricultural • Architectural • Biological • Biomedical • Chemical • Civil • Computer • Computer Science • Electrical

15. Management Technical Sales Law Entrepreneurs Medicine Engineers Finance Consulting Quality Control Research and Development Teachers CEO

16. Engineering demographics Or: who are the engineers, anyway?

17. “The Knack” WHEN YOU THINK OF AN ENGINEER…

18. Myths about engineers • Nerdy • Guys • Love math/science only • Grinds • Narrow field • Solitary • Repetitious • Boring/not creative

19. Engineering Degrees

20. Why do we need more engineers, anyway? • Aging population of Engineers • Reduction in students choosing engineering • Global Competition • Big challenges to solve • The integration of Technology into all things!

21. Conceptual framework Or: how to spot a fledgling engineer

22. Conceptual framework: Identification • Creative students with math and science aptitude (think “Top Chef” and knife skills) • Broad Definition of Diversity • Geographic, Ethnicity, Gender, Interests, Thought Process, Dance Moves, etc • Why Diversity is Important • Great career for all • Team should be represented with folks who use products • We need more engineers • Diversity = innovation  better solutions

23. Conceptual framework: career benefits • Broad opportunities • Making a difference • Salary • Variety • Travel

24. Conceptual framework: “new” honesty Old Perception “Real” Deal Great fit for a variety of people Right fit Retention is better than most Do we want it easy?? • EN isn’t for everyone • Weed out • Retention horrible • It is hard

25. Engineering as a career?? • What students want • Enjoying what I do • Good working environment • Making a difference • Good income • Flexibility • Engineering Community • It’s a challenge • Go for it! It’s difficult, but rewarding • Use math and science to solve problems

26. Conceptual framework: “new” honesty Old communication New Communication “the application of creativity and teamwork using Math and science principles as tools to solve problems” “Because your dreams need doing.” “Turning ideas into reality” “Engineers make the world better” • “Use math and science to solve problems” • “Go into engineering if you’re good in math and science.” • “It’s really hard, but worth it.” • “Engineering is hard – you need confidence to get through. When describing why to be an MD is the first thought you have to be good at anatomy and physiology?

27. Conceptual framework: Hs prep

28. Conceptual framework: resources • Engineer Your Life • http://www.engineeryourlife.org/ • Try Engineering • http://www.tryengineering.org/become.php • Pathways to Science • http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/K12.asp • Engineering, Go For It! (eGFI) • http://students.egfi-k12.org/category/k-12-outreach-programs/

29. Questions? Or: let’s chat it out!