MSPE: MSPE programs benefit children, community

Let me tell you about a fantastic group of people: the 243 members of the Ozark chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers. These engineers volunteer much time to organize activities that benefit our kids and our community.

I've been an Ozark chapter member for 10 years and am proud to call them my friends and associates. I've discovered that Ozark chapter members are some of the finest people around. They are truly dedicated to encouraging education for our kids and promoting the public health, safety and welfare. Here are a few of the activities that the chapter sponsors or supports:

The Ozark chapter awards between $6,000 and $7,000 every year to college engineering students. Interested high school students (or parents) can contact their guidance counselor or ask a chapter member.

Salute to Design & Construction: The chapter supports this joint effort between design and construction professionals to promote the importance of the construction industry to our local economy. Many chapter members participate in planning the event and speaking to high school and middle school students about design professions.

MathCounts: This is a national mathematics competition for middle school students. It is held in February in conjunction with National Engineer's Week.

National Engineer's Week: This event takes place every February to recognize the contributions of engineers to our country and standard of living. A local display is set up and chapter members speak to area middle school classes about engineering. Also, the mayor of Springfield is usually asked to issue a proclamation regarding the event.

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

Discovery Center: The Ozark chapter has pledged the funding necessary for preliminary design of a new "Mechanical Advantage" interactive display. The preliminary design will be used for fund-raising to actually build the display.

The Ozarks Science and Engineering Fair: This middle school and high school fair is held in April at SMSU's Hammons Student Center. The chapter helps provide funding for the fair and assists with judging. The chapter also provides two awards for the competition.

Model Bridge Contest: This 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: This activity is designed to introduce engineering to kindergarten through fourth grades. The students build a six-foot long truss bridge that they then climb through while is it supported on chairs. This activity really makes a lasting impression on the kids!

Shrimpfeed: To fund all of these activities, the chapter holds one fund raiser every year. This 60-year tradition draws more than 1,800 people from all over the state. The Shrimpfeed is held on the first Thursday of August every year at Fantastic Caverns, so mark your calendar now.

MSPE is a state group affiliated with the National Society of Professional Engineers. Part of what makes Ozark Chapter of MSPE members outstanding is their adherence to NSPE's values, which include: protection of the public, ethical conduct, professionalism, competency, licensure and service to the public. These values are largely displayed in chapter members' behavior and attitudes, both professionally and personally.

A number of our members have taken the "Order of the Engineer" oath in which they "... pledge to practice integrity and fair dealing, tolerance and respect; and to uphold devotion to the standards and the dignity of [the] profession, conscious always that [their] skill carries with it the obligation to serve humanity."

These engineers display this dedication by wearing a stainless steel ring around the pinkie finger of their dominant hand. This represents the steel of a failed bridge and serves as a constant reminder of obligation and responsibility.

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.

The Ozark Chapter MSPE is very proud to help sponsor Salute to Construction. For more information or to find out how to become a member, write us at Ozark Chapter MSPE, PO Box 551, Springfield 65801 or visit our Web site at www.pcis.net/mspe.

(Amy Ruggeri is senior planning engineer at City Utilities and president-elect of Ozark Chapter MSPE.)