Page 28 - MathCounts 2018 - Final Draft for Publishing

Engineers Week—2018

Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in 1951, Engineers Week – also known as
EWeek – is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing
understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. This year, Engineers Week is Feb. 18-
24. Programs such as Future Cities, EWeek awards, Girl Day, Global Day of the Engineer, Global Marathon,
and more, are described here.
NSPE Speaks' two most recent podcasts also feature exclusive Engineers Week content, including an
interview with DiscoverE Executive Director Leslie Collins and discussion of Engineers Week activities and
the 25th anniversary of the Future City Competition.
The celebration of National Engineers Week started in 1951 by NSPE in conjunction with President George
Washington's birthday. President Washington’s agricultural, military, engineering and surveying skills led
to his recognition as our nation’s first engineer. In 1778, he founded the nation’s first engineering school at
West Point, NY, and he directed a growing society toward technical advancements, invention and
education. In 1990, the National Engineers Week Foundation and Bechtel Group launched "DiscoverE," the
first formal national call to engineer volunteers for engagement in K-12 education, partly in response to
government studies showing future shortages in engineering talent. DiscoverE became the foundation's K-
12 umbrella volunteer outreach movement.
An enthusiastic response to DiscoverE drove the Foundation to develop additional volunteer materials and
programs while working to meet partners’ specific needs: National Engineers Week Future City
Competition (1993); Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (2001); Global Marathon for, by, and about
Women in Engineering & Technology (2005); New Faces of Engineering (2003) and College Edition (2011);
and DiscoverE Educator Recognition (2012). By 2013, it became apparent that with such a robust and
diverse portfolio, a broad and deep coalition, and year-round engagement, our organizational name —
National Engineers Week Foundation — was inaccurate and misleading. The new name: DiscoverE.

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