Patriots for Progress: Mason Engineering celebrates Engineers Week

"Engineers Week offers time for reflections of contributions from innovators past and moments to share dreams that will marvel future generations."

Oscar Barton, Jr., Chair Mechanical Engineering

Mason Engineering Dean Ken Ball (right) received a proclamation honoring National Engineers Week from Fairfax City Council member Michael DeMarco (left). Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services.

Ken Ball, dean of the Volgenau School of Engineering, encouraged students to participate in as many activities as possible during National Engineers Week.

On Tuesday during his opening remarks at the kickoff event, Ball stressed that this is a national initiative to bring attention to the field of engineering. 

Mason Engineering is hosting events for students, alumni, and the local community throughout the week to celebrate the ever-changing world of engineering.

This year’s theme, “Patriots for Progress,” will look at how engineering has contributed to growth and change in today’s society.

The week will include lab tours and the annual conference for local high school students and much more.

“The Volgenau School of Engineering kicks off National Engineers week with a free youth conference for middle and high school students on Sunday, February 16. Students will hear about the importance of STEM careers from several industry leaders and will do hands-on activities to explore various fields of engineering and technology,” says Kamaljeet Sanghera, associate professor and executive director for STEM outreach.

The bioengineering department will be hosting a Mason Bioengineering Alliance Industry event during the week, where participants can “hear stories of companies and technologies that have been successfully commercialized from university innovations,” says Michael Buschmann, department chair for bioengineering.

Here is a full list of the events for alumni, students, and faculty and staff. Some details are still being worked out so keep checking back for the latest updates.

All week
A display of antique civil engineering tools and publications of engineering faculty at the Fenwick Library.
Special Engineers Week daily menus at the Mason Club.

Tuesday, February 18
Engineers Week kickoff event, 9:30 a.m. Nguyen Building Atrium.
Faculty departmental presentations in the atrium, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. such as:

  • Radio and RADAR Engineering Lab Demos from the Department of Computer Science.
  • Clinical Biomedical Natural Language Processing from the Department of Bioengineering.
  • Origami Engineering from the Department of Computer Science.

Wednesday, February 19
2020 Spring Career Fair – STEM Focus Day 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in Dewberry Hall.
Career day breakfast for recruiters, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on the third floor of the Johnson Center.
Faculty departmental presentations. Nguyen Building Atrium.  10 a.m. - 4 p.m. such as:

  • Designing DNA Nanoarchitectures from the Department of Bioengineering

Paper airplane construction and contest, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Engineering Atrium.
Women’s basketball game versus Richmond with discounted tickets for alumni, 7 p.m. at EagleBank Arena. Find tickets here. Alumni discounts apply.

Thursday, February 20
Faculty departmental presentations. Nguyen Building Atrium.

Friday, February 21
Mason Bioengineering Alliance Industry event, 1:30 pm.-4:30 p.m. in Research Hall, room 163.
Potomac Science Center lab tours for high school students.
Closing Awards and Ceremony 12:30 p.m. in Research Hall 163.

Saturday, February 22
Off the Wall event from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. in the Art and Design Building. Purchase tickets here 

Men’s basketball homecoming game with discounted tickets for alumni, 4:30 p.m. at EagleBank Arena. Arrive early and view the video about Mason’s multidisciplinary research team’s study on the changing arctic environment.
Buy alumni discount tickets here.