Engineering Technology Students Celebrate National Engineers Week

As part of its continuing efforts to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the engineering technology program at Piedmont Technical College recently celebrated National Engineers Week by inviting high school students to learn more about the career.

“Every day everyone benefits from the work of engineers,” said Sandy Warner, department head for engineering technology. “While National Engineers Week focuses on those who are in the engineering field, we wanted to celebrate the students who have chosen engineering as a career.”

Students in the Project Lead the Way classes at Clinton High School visited the Greenwood campus where they were given tours of the engineering technology labs and introduced to the programs offered. The students also participated in two workshops with engineering technology instructors and students.

“It was encouraging to see so many high school students getting excited about engineering,” said Malaurie Hullings, an electronic engineering technology student from Plum Branch. “The engineering technology field is important to the future of South Carolina.”

The celebration of National Engineers Week was started in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers in conjunction with President George Washington's birthday. President Washington is considered as the nation's first engineer, notably for his survey work. It is observed by more than 70 engineering, education, and cultural societies, and more than 50 corporations and government agencies. The purpose of National Engineers' Week is to call attention to the contributions to society that engineers make. It is also a time for engineers to emphasize the importance of learning math, science, and technical skills.

Photo Caption: The engineering technology program at Piedmont Technical College recently celebrated National Engineers Week. Project Lead the Way students from Clinton High School worked on creating simple motors with the help of Piedmont Tech electronic engineering technology instructor Doug Massey, right, and several PTC engineering technology students.