Engineers week 2016 aims to inspire youth

CAREER- MINDED students with a fascination for making things work will have an opportunity for a close up look at the many faces of modern engineering when Engineers Week 2016 comes to IT Sligo.

Events with interactive exhibits, question and answer sessions with practising engineers, school visits, debates and lectures will all form part of a packed line- up events.

The week- long programme of events from Sunday, February 28th to Saturday, March 5th, aims to celebrate the world of engineering in Ireland, and to spark enthusiasm about the engineering profession amongst people of all ages, especially students and their teachers and parents.

Now into its tenth year, Engineers Week will also shine a spotlight on topical issues such as flood risk management and the role that technology plays in our daily lives.

“Each year, Engineers Week is the perfect learning session for young people who are thinking about a career in the various disciplines of Engineering,” according to Dr. Tomás O’Flaherty, of the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, and the main IT Sligo organiser.

The week will begin with Engineering Week’s annual Charity Collection Day on Monday February 29th in Sligo town centre and on the Institute’s campus. Last year’s collection raised € 1434 for North West Hospice.

Most of the events throughout the week are open to the public. They include:

Tuesday March 1st: Engineers Ireland Showcase: Who wants to be a Superhero? A0004 9am – 3pm

Tuesday March 1st: Women in Engineering, Mercy College Sligo, All Day.

Saturday March 5th: ECubers for Kids, Room E2008, 10am.

Workshop for children aged 10- 13 years who will get to build, programme and invent their own racing cars, trucks, construction equipment and robots.

Engineers Week at IT Sligo is part of a nationwide showcase of engineering, and is coordinated by Engineering Ireland’s STEPS programme.

This was established in 2000 to encourage primary and post- primary students to explore the world of science and engineering. The value of the programme has been formally recognised by Gov- ernment and is a key element of Science Foundation Ireland’s Discover programme. STEPS is supported by the Department of Education and Skills, Science Foundation Ireland, and a number of major engineering employers.