MSPE: Engineers involved in development, community

Ryan Howard, an engineer with Engineering Consultants Inc., is president of the Ozark Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers.

Engineers design heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical and communication systems, and structural and fire-suppression systems all things that increase comfort, convenience and safety. As such, engineers have more impact on the quality of everyday life than just about any other profession.

Engineers facilitate the delivery of safe water for daily use, and they also help with ways to safely dispose of wastewater. Engineers are instrumental in the generation and distribution of the electricity that might be taken for granted. Engineers are responsible for improving the safety and convenience of our roads and other transportation systems.

Engineers are involved in the design and manufacture of almost every product that we use, from our computers to our cars. They help with the initial design of the product and then design the process to manufacture the products. This may involve designing new manufacturing equipment as well as new facilities.

Engineers also are instrumental in protecting our environment. They design drainage and runoff systems, detention basins and dams to reduce flooding. They help to dispose of hazardous materials safely, and if necessary, they determine the best way to clean up hazardous waste sites. They also work with manufacturers to help reduce the generation of hazardous wastes.

The Ozark Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers is a group of about 210 of these engineers in Springfield and the surrounding area.

MSPE is a state group affiliated with the National Society of Professional Engineers. As an affiliate group, the Ozark Chapter of MSPE adheres to NSPE's values: protection of the public, ethical conduct, professionalism, competency, licensure and service to the public. These values are largely displayed in Ozark Chapter members' behavior and attitudes, both professionally and personally.

MSPE members encourage education by helping the public and young engineers understand professional and ethical issues involved in consultant selection, design, construction, inspection, competent practice and licensure. They also actively monitor and react to any legislation that affects public health, safety and welfare, or the practice of the engineering profession.

Ozark Chapter members are dedicated to encouraging education for our children and promoting the engineering profession in our area. The chapter organizes and participates in activities to further these goals.

The Ozark Chapter awards three $2,000 scholarships every year to college engineering students.

The Ozark Chapter supports Salute to Construction, a joint effort to promote the importance of the construction industry to our local economy. Many Ozark Chapter members participate in planning the event and speaking to high school and middle school students about engineering.

MathCounts, a national mathematics competition for junior high students, is held in February in conjunction with National Engineer's Week.

National Engineer's Week recognizes the contributions of engineers to our country and standard of living. A local display is set up, and Ozark Chapter members speak to area classes about engineering

Held on the first Thursday in March, Career Night is an opportunity for universities to make presentations, display exhibits and to interact with area high school students. Ozark Chapter members serve dinner to the students and answer questions regarding science and engineering.

The Ozarks Science and Engineering Fair for junior and senior high school students is held in April at Southwest Missouri State University's Hammons Student Center. The Ozark Chapter helps provide funding for the fair and assists with judging. The Ozark Chapter also provides two awards for the competition.

The Model Bridge Contest is held in conjunction with the Science and Engineering Fair. High school students build model balsa wood bridges, which are then loaded to failure (some are quite spectacular). The top two finalists are eligible to enter the International Bridge Contest.

Engineering for K-4 is an activity designed to introduce engineering to students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Students build a 6-foot truss bridge that they then climb through while it is supported on chairs.

The Ozark Chapter holds one fund-raiser every year. The Shrimpfeed has been a tradition for more than 60 years and draws more than 1,800 people from all over the state. The Shrimpfeed is held on the first Thursday of August at Fantastic Caverns.

For more information, visit our Web site at www.pcis.net/mspe.