Engineers’ Week gets local support

A NORTHSIDE man who was the lead engineer on the award-winning team that built

‘Robbie the Robot’ for Cork teenager Joanne O’Riordan has called for students to get involved in Engineers’ Week 2015.

Conor McGinn, from Howth, is an assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin School of Engineering and has been involved in Engineers’ Week for a number of years.

“Events are a great way of engaging with primary and secondary school students,

? he said.

“The events I have been involved in range from tech talks to robot workshops. The students respond very well to the interactive workshop-style events.

“I will be organising and taking part in even more events in Engineers’ Week 2015 and I am looking forward to it.

?

Engineers’ Week, an annual campaign to promote engineering as a career and emphasise the importance of the profession to Ireland, is taking place from February 8 to 14.

‘Engineering is for Everyone’ is the theme for this year’s national awareness week, urging parents, teachers and students to consider engineering as an accessible career choice for all interested students.

In addition, the week highlights the value of engineering in the community and the way in which it touches the lives of every citizen.

Last year, over 36,000 participants took part in 500 events, with 164 organisations involved around the country. Organisers are planning for 2015 to be even bigger and better.

John Power, chartered engineer and director general at Engineers Ireland, called on enterprise and academia to offer their full support by getting actively involved.

“Engineers’ Week is about getting students interested and excited about engineering,

? said Mr Power.

“It is the responsibility of those of us working in the profession and educational institutes to share our experience and help students to learn more about the diversity, excitement and sense of achievement a career in engineering presents.

?

If you would like to participate, visit www.EngineersWeek.ie to upload your event or to learn more about the supports available.