February SWE-Blast

Engineers are changing the world all the time. They dream up creative, practical solutions and work with teams of smart, inspiring people to invent, design and create things that matter.

As we imagine tomorrow, engineers will be at the heart of the solutions to combat climate change, secure cyberspace, develop vaccines, and make the world a better place for all of us.

At DiscoverE, we support the people who make progress possible today and tomorrow.

Help us inspire future engineers. We've created a suite of resources you can use to reach students, parents, and community leaders with hands-on engineering experiences and pathways to engineering education and careers.

February Meeting Event - How to Be a Good Role Model

When

Thursday, Feb. 25th, 6:30-7:45pm

Where

Via Zoom

More information

This month we will look at being role models. We will learn about who these role models are, why do role models matter, and how to conduct and engage students during outreach events as well as other useful information in order to be an effective role model.

Invite a coworker to join us also. RSVPs are encouraged but not required.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5218044395?pwd=Q2FGQnFjNkhhcTVNVnpoeDBvWWxUQT09

Meeting ID: 521 804 4395

Passcode: SWE2020

RSVPs are enabled for this event.

How Role Models Can Make the Difference for Girls

Here is an interesting article to read

By Linda Kekelis, Ph.D., and Jennifer Joyce, Ph.D., Techbridge

Here is the introduction from this article:

As you reminisce about your experiences as a student, in grade school, high school, or university, think about who inspired you to become who and what you have become today. Can you offer that inspiration to others? When did you know that you wanted to be an engineer? Many engineers recount that their interest came from early build- or take-apart projects or from the encouragement of a parent who was an engineer. What about girls who haven’t been encouraged to tinker or take things apart, or girls who don’t know an engineer? This is the reality for many girls. Often girls are simply not exposed to experiences that would encourage their interests in engineering. In fact, messages that they receive from the media or in school or at home tell them that engineering is not for girls. Research shows that few kids — male or female — are interested in a career in engineering. With nearly a third of them believing that “engineering would be a boring career,” is it any wonder? And even fewer girls than boys are interested in engineering. Girls are more likely than boys to think that engineering is difficult. Girls express less confidence in their abilities to succeed and to persevere.

To read the entire article click on this link:

https://www.techbridgegirls.org/assets/files/what/publications/p%2032-36%20RoleModels%20V2.pdf

Live Webinar for Educators and Volunteers - Tuesday, February 23 at 2 p.m. CST

Join this lively and reflective conversation as they discuss how to make every child feel welcome in STEM.

The panel will share what they wish their teachers, after-school and volunteer leaders knew when they were growing up and what role we can all play in helping a student build their STEM identity.

Introduce a Girl to Engineering

Inspire a girl’s future. Be a Role Model!

Girl Day (February 25, 2021) is a worldwide campaign to engage girls in engineering. Thousands of people--engineers, educators, and others--act as Role Models, facilitate engineering activities, and educate girls about how engineers change our world.

Key findings from DiscoverE's new report, Despite the Odds, found that this simple formula helps girls develop an interest in engineering, build their confidence in their problem-solving skills, and create a STEM identity.

You can make a difference in a girls' life. Sign up at this link:

http://www.discovere.org/content/sign-up-be-a-role-model?_ga=2.138176883.2103956444.1612554316-2073761524.1611169403

Monday, February 22 @ 3 p.m. CST PDH Units: 1

Join NSPE leaders as they discuss the future of engineering and how our changing world will impact the profession. Engineers will play a vital role in the development and implementation of emerging technologies and tackling complex issues like sustainability and resiliency. All of these issues, challenges, and opportunities will have an impact on the workforce, licensure system and the specialization of our profession.

Visit the website for more information and to register:

https://www.nspe.org/resources/pe-institute/live-educational-events/future-engineering

Date: Monday, February 22, 2021
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Central)
Price: Free

Number of PDHs: 1

LB 755 Signed into Law

On August 18, 2020, Governor Pete Ricketts signed Legislative Bill 755 (LB755) into law. Among other provisions, LB755 made several changes to the Nebraska Engineers and Architects Regulation Act (the “Act”).

The strong motivators for the Board in seeking revisions to the Act through LB755 were to reduce unnecessary barriers to licensure, and to give more flexibility to professional engineer candidates in determining the appropriate time for them to take the PE Exam. The major changes made to the Act include: • Allowing professional engineer candidates the option to take the Principles and Practice (PE) Exam prior to gaining four years of experience.

You can read more about this change by visiting their newsletter at: https://ea.nebraska.gov/sites/ea.nebraska.gov/files/doc/nbea-newsletter-fall-2020.pdf