Western New England University celebrated National Engineering Week (February 21-24) by hosting two events on the college campus in University Commons. The events were designed to promote the profession of engineering and generate excitement among students and faculty.
This year's National Engineering Week theme is "Creating the Future!" which highlights the vital role that engineers play in innovating solutions to global challenges that impact future generations. By working together to develop new technologies, products, and opportunities, engineers create new possibilities that make the world a better place.
On Tuesday, students used remote-controlled robots to play a modified form of basketball, including shooting balls through static and rotating hoops. This fun event combined the technical elements of robotics with the legacy of Springfield as the birthplace of basketball.
On Thursday, students competed in two design challenges - the Queen Bee and Raft Race. The Queen Bee had students attempting to build the tallest tower using plastic cups, but they were blindfolded and had to rely on instructions from a partner. In the Raft Race, students attempted to build rafts using craft supplies, and competed in a race using wind power.
"We are thrilled to celebrate National Engineering Week at Western New England University," said Dr. Mike Rust. "Our events this week highlight the important role that engineers play in creating a better future for all of us. We hope that our students and faculty will be inspired by these events to continue to pursue their passions in engineering and make a positive impact on the world."
In addition to the main activities, the event featured T-shirt and Beach Ball giveaways as well as a raffle for a WNE sweatshirt.
Mechanical Engineering student Max Leifer from Barrington, NH said, "These fun challenges were a great way to take a break between classes and show how fun engineering can really be!"
Western New England University's College of Engineering is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of engineers to continue to create a brighter future for us all.
