South Dakota Mines Inspires Future Engineers with Hands-On Fun at 48th Annual Engineers Week Title
Local middle and high school students will be at South Dakota Mines next week to get an in-depth glimpse into the fields of science and engineering during the 48th Annual Engineers Week.
The week-long celebration, held Feb. 18 – 22, includes the Mines Chemistry Magic Show, Engineering and Science Day, Order of the Engineer induction ceremony and MathCounts competition.
“Engineers Week and other events like this help to ignite curiosity and inspire future innovators, giving students a hands-on look at the limitless possibilities in science and engineering,” said Dr. Brian Tande, Mines president. “It also allows South Dakota Mines to showcase its world-class institution and cutting-edge programs that prepare the next generation of STEM leaders."
Carlene Roper, the seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher at St. Thomas More Middle
School, brings her students to E-Week every year. “By exposing them to South Dakota
Mines and what the university has to offer may make lasting impressions on my students,”
she said, adding that many local kids don’t fully realize the "gem" they have in their
hometown university. “Students can get a top-of-the-line education and degree which
enables them to attain the job they want.”
Roper’s two brothers graduated from Mines and have successful careers, one in math and civil engineering, and the other in mining engineering. “Needless to say, my family and I are big fans of Mines. I would like all my students to get the chance to be on campus and become a fan as well.”
Engineers Week was founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NPSE) in 1951 and is celebrated the week of Presidents Day in honor of President George Washington, considered the nation’s first engineer.
The celebration kicks off with the Mines Chemistry Magic Show on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. as part of the university’s monthly STEAM Café series. The event will be held in the Surbeck Center’s Beck Ballroom on campus. Students with the university’s chapter of the American Chemical Society will present exciting, science-based demonstrations. The event is free and open to the public.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, the university will also host nearly 600 middle and high school students for Engineering & Science Day. The day begins with demonstrations by academic departments held across campus and the Mines Chemistry Magic Show from 9 a.m. to noon. Students can also enjoy a lunchtime concert from noon until 1 p.m. in the Music Center and an afternoon NASA titled “Houston, We’ve Had a Problem: The Amazing Story of Apollo 13 on its 55th Anniversary” by Deputy Director of SD Space Grant Consortium Tom Durkin. The NASA presentation will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Beck Ballroom and is open to the public.
On Friday, Feb. 21, Engineers Week activities continue with the annual Order of the Engineer induction ceremony for participating graduating seniors and alumni. The Order fosters a spirit of responsibility and pride in the engineering profession.
Finally, on Saturday, Feb. 22, Mines will play host to MathCounts. MathCounts is one of the most successful education partnerships involving volunteers, educators, industry sponsors and students. The contest is for sixth- through eighth-grade students from western South Dakota schools. MathCounts is sponsored by the South Dakota Engineering Society, Black Hills Chapter.