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Preparing the Next Generation of Engineers
Engineers for a Day
Bechtel's Houston office recently hosted a day of workshops and activities that introduced more than 350 local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to the exciting possibilities of a career in engineering.
discover e
CEO Riley Bechtel and his father, former CEO Stephen Bechtel Jr., discuss Discover "E," the National Engineers Week program for students that Steve Jr. helped start two decades ago.
Bechtel and its employees continue their long-standing involvement in Engineers Week (February 19-25, 2012).
Bechtel employees in Houston will host about 300 Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Webelos to experience the different types of engineering in creative activities. The young people will have the opportunity to learn about mechanical engineering by building a cart propelled by a balloon; gain insight into civil/structural engineering by designing and building a Play-Doh playground; discover environmental/chemical engineering by building their own water treatment system using empty 2 liter soda bottles, rocks, pebbles, and a coffee filter; and participate in interactive workshops that highlight graphic design engineering, electrical engineering, and control system engineering.
Employees will also take part in Discover E, an Engineers Week program in which professional engineers hold "teach-ins" at K-through-12 schools around the country. Former CEO Steve Bechtel, Jr., helped create Discover E more than 20 years ago.
In addition, Bechtel is a sponsor of Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day®, which gives thousands of women engineers, with support from their male counterparts, the chance to directly mentor more than one million girls and young women in grades K through12. Learn more about the day.
Engineers Week and the activities are coordinated by the National Engineers Week Foundation, a coalition of more than 100 professional societies, major corporations, and government agencies. Its mission is to ensure a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers among young students and by promoting pre-college literacy in math and science. Engineers Week also raises public understanding and appreciation of engineers' contributions to society.