YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
The 200 members of the Ozark chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers are helping the Springfield Discovery Center by funding the preliminary design for a new Mechanical Advantage interactive display.
The preliminary design will be used for explaining the display during the Discovery Center's efforts to raise the estimated $60,000 to $70,000 needed for construction.
The Ozark chapter of MSPE is involved in many efforts that encourage continuing education for students and professionals in math, science and engineering.
The Ozark chapter is increasing its three, two-year college engineering scholarships from $2,000 to $3,000 each. Interested high school students should contact their guidance counselors, or they may ask any chapter member for more information.
The Salute to Design & Construction is a joint effort between design and construction professionals to recognize and honor achievements in the construction industry and to promote interest in the industry.
Many of our chapter members participate in planning the event and speaking to high school and middle school students about the role of engineers in construction.
MathCounts is a national mathematics competition for junior high school students. This event is usually held in February in conjunction with National Engineer's Week.
National Engineer's Week takes place each February to recognize the contributions of engineers to our country. Chapter members set up an engineering display and speak to area junior high school classes about engineering. The mayor of Springfield issues a proclamation sponsored by the chapter.
Career Night is in March and is an opportunity for a number of universities to make presentations, display exhibits and to answer questions for area high school students.
Chapter members serve dinner to the students and are also available to answer questions regarding engineering.
The Ozarks Science and Engineering Fair is held for junior and senior high school students in April at SMSU's sports arena.
The chapter helps provide funding for this event and assists with the judging. The chapter provides two awards for the competition.
The Model Bridge Contest is usually held with the Ozarks Science and Engineering Fair. This activity is for high school students, who test their ability to design and construct model bridges out of wood.
The bridges are loaded to failure and the bridges with the best load-to-weight ratio are winners. The top two finalists are eligible to participate in the International Bridge Contest.
The K-4 Bridge Building activity is for kindergarten through fourth grade and gives the classes a chance to build a 6-foot-long truss bridge they can climb through while introducing them to the engineering profession.
The Ozark chapter of MSPE is also active in providing continuing education opportunities for its members through educational sessions at our chapter meetings and the annual state convention.
In addition, a large library of resources is available to members through our parent organization, the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Books, videos, audiotapes, online-access publications, and correspondence courses are just some of the resources that are available.
Another area in which the Ozark chapter encourages education is helping the public and young engineers understand the professional and ethical issues involved with engineering, consultant selection, design, construction and inspection.
To fund all of these activities, the chapter has one fund-raising activity the annual Shrimp Feed at Fantastic Caverns. This 58-year-old Ozarks tradition draws more than 1,800 people from all over the state.
Admission covers plenty of fresh shrimp, cool liquid refreshments and ample opportunity for fellowship.
The event is held on the first Thursday of August every year, so mark your calendars now and plan to help the chapter support education in southwest Missouri.
The Ozark Chapter of MSPE is proud to help sponsor the Salute to Design and Construction and of our key role in building your future.
For more information or to find out how to become a member of the chapter, write us at Ozark Chapter MSPE, PO Box 1152, Springfield 65801 or visit our Web site at
www.pcis.net/mspe.
(Daniel J. Packard, PE, of Packard Engineering in Seymour, is president-elect of the Ozark chapter of MSPE.)
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