Provincial Engineering & Geoscience Week

NFI Group is a leading independent global bus and coach manufacturer. We design and manufacture vehicles that safely move millions of people every day all over the world. Explore what your future could look like at NFI Group as we lead the zero-emission transition of mass mobility. n�igroup.com ® PROVINCIAL ENGINEERING & GEOSCIENCE MONTH MARCH 2021 SPECIAL SECTION Watch ours at MyStory.EngGeoMB.ca EVERY ENGINEER AND GEOSCIENTIST HAS A STORY. A Digital Engagement Group— comprised of nine of the twelve provincial and territorial engineering and geoscience regulators—was created with representatives from all over Canada. Together, they created five virtual activities they anticipate will encourage children, youth, and post-secondary students and professionals to inspect the many positives that the fields of engineering and geoscience affords society. According to Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at Engineers Canada, Jeanette Southwood, the organization is excited to use the month to inspire K-12 students. She added that the regulators want to encourage, "youth to look at engineering and geoscience early in their life". An engineer herself, Southwood explained that she had not thought of engineering as a field of study until Grade 12. It surprised her to discover the bulk of students still don't learn that engineering could be a career option, "until Grade 12", she noted. Southwood explained that kids' impressions of what an engineer does is often only of a bridge builder or other form of builder. "It's a misconception", she said. "There are over 80 disciplines" in these fields, she explained. NEGM's focus is on sending the message that engineers and geoscientists can take part in changing the world. And they want to share that message through virtual activities. The virtual events sound intriguing. For students from Kindergarten to Grade 6, a digital scavenger hunt has been planned. Kids will be taken on a virtual journey across Canada where they will learn about which earth materials are mined and how they are used in many of the items we use daily. They will also explore Canadian engineering marvels. For students who are in Grades 6-8, there are two virtual events. The first are engineering design challenges sourced from items found in the home. Students are encouraged to attempt to design something that would affect or improve the real world. The second activity geared to Grades 6-8 students, is called the Future City Experience. This one takes kids to the moon. The goal is to use two resources found on the moon that enable humans to live. Limited in space, this activity requires registration. Students in Grades 9-12 are invited to take part in an online game where they will attempt to solve trivia and engineering problem-solving questions specific to different engineering disciplines. For post-secondary students and professionals, there are the Life-Long Learning events. Throughout the month, online plans include panel discussions, workshops, or networking events. They will involve several interesting topics of discussion. Southwood added that "all workshops are open to the public". One Manitoba Indigenous workshop that Southwood revealed should be exciting will be run by Randy Herrmann, a professional engineer, and the Director of the University of Manitoba's Engineering Access Program. Southwood explained that COVID-19 may have forced a change in how National Engineering and Geoscience Month is embraced. They discovered pooling resources "was an opportunity to come together and learn from each other", she said. It's time for those who are interested in taking part in the online activities and events- no matter what the age or background- to celebrate NEGM and come together to learn from each other, too. Visit ExploreEngineering. ca for more information about the upcoming activities. Locally, while Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba (EngGeoMB) will miss hosting activities for children at Kildonan Place and won't be visiting schools for their annual Spaghetti Bridge Competition as they have done for many years; they will host a virtual bridge breaking session for students who want to test their trusses made of glue and spaghetti. EngGeoMB is also running a colouring contest and offering the opportunity to earn a Girl Power t-shirt. Visit EngGeoMB.ca to find out how to participate. CHANGE CAN BE GOOD: National Engineering and Geoscience Month Activities Go Online March is National Engineering and Geoscience Month (NEGM). Typically, in-person events would be held all over Canada, but COVID-19 changed the plans for 2021. LUNAR SOLUTIONS: KIDS GRADES 6-8 CAN REGISTER TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR HUMANS ON THE MOON

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