Home Page

Engineering Profession

 

 

Have a question or comment?

 

Engineering profession
Engineering design
Skillful thinking
Process flow
Education links
Science page
Math standard(pdf)
Documents

 

 

 
What does an Engineer do? Bernard Gordon has been called a "modern-day inventor in the tradition of Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin.
 
Bernie Gordon's description of what makes an Engineer:
Who is Bernard Gordon?
Bernard Gordon received his B.S and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1949. Considered the “father of analog to digital conversion” for his inventions and contributions to signal translation, medical tomography and other high-precision instrumentation, he has more than 200 patents worldwide. He founded Analogic Corporation and recently retired as Chairman of the Board. Prior to Analogic, he was the President and co-founder of Epsco, Incorporated. In 1986, he received the National Medal of Technology from President Reagan, and in 1991, he was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering and has been the recipient of several honorary engineering doctoral degrees. He is the Chairman of Lahey Clinic and a Trustee of Tufts University.
The definitions of Science, Engineering and Technology from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technologies#Usage.

Generally, the following distinctions can be made:

  • Science is the formal process of investigating natural phenomena. It produces information and knowledge about the world.
  • Engineering is the goal-oriented process of designing and building tools and systems to exploit natural phenomena for a practical human means. Engineers work within the constraints of natural laws and societal needs to create technology.
  • Technology is the consequence of these two processes and societal requests. Most commonly, the term technology is used as the name of all engineering products.

 

 
A few exercises:
Interview an Engineer to learn more about them:
What do your students think an engineer does?
 
 Web Sites:
The Sloan Career Cornerstone Center is an ever-expanding resource center for anyone interested in exploring career opportunities in science, technology, engineering,  mathematics, and computing. 
 
http://www.careercornerstone.org/

The American Society for Engineering Education1818 N Street, NW Suite 600Washington, DC 20036(202) 331-3500
 

http://www.engineeringk12.org
The members of Children’s Engineering Educators are an experienced group of elementary teachers who believe in high standards and rigorous academic instructional programs. These teachers believe that the study and use of technology provides a creative and active way to apply state and national learning standards.
 
http://www.childrensengineering.com/index.htm
The future of engineering lies within the creativity and innovation of our nation's youth. However, as many recent papers and studies have chronicled, kids today are not pursuing futures in science, math, engineering and technology. http://www.engineeringpathway.org/engpath/ep/Home

Prepared by  Bill Wolfson.    08/23/2012