Who ever said engineers can’t have fun? Students and faculty in the College of Engineering are gearing up for events during Engineers Week. This week will showcase the achievements of engineers and raise awareness of the profession in the Brookings and South Dakota State community. The week runs from Feb. 20 through Feb. 24.

“Engineers Week is basically a chance for the engineering students on campus to bring attention to the contributions they make and take part in some fun events throughout the week,” said Grant Metzger, co-chair of Engineers Week and an electrical engineering student.

The week’s events include a dodgeball tournament, an engineering pageant and a presentation from an engineer currently in the workforce.

Students can participate in the dodgeball tournament Feb. 22 as well. Anyone can participate, but a minimum of three engineers are required for each team.Sarah Waltner from Raven Industries will speak at SDSU Feb. 21 about her path to becoming an engineer and what opportunities there are for those who enter the career field. The presentation, “The Stratosphere, Sprayers and Snoopy,” will be at 5:30 p.m. in Crothers 204.

Peder Solberg, a sophomore mechanical engineering student, plans to attend the keynote presentation and the dodgeball event.

“Sometimes we, as engineers, don’t get that physical activity so much in our coursework and such, so it’s kind of fun to get a bunch of engineers throwing balls at each other,” Solberg said.

Although the week is engineering-centered, students across all disciplines are invited.

“I think it’s important to have a week set aside where, hopefully, other people can come to appreciate and think about all the design and the math and the work that goes into creating products and the things we use everyday,” Solberg said. “There are a bunch of us who are planning to spend our lives designing things that will hopefully help people have happier, more fruitful and productive lives. It’s something people can take for granted.”

The week’s events conclude with “The Ultimate Engineer Pageant,” which is sponsored by the SDSU Society of Women Engineers. The event includes an interview with professional dress and a talent portion.

Taylor Anderson, a junior mechanical engineering student, said she appreciates that the events are relevant to what is happening in engineering and allows people to see “the advances that are going on around the world and even in our area.”

She also thinks the week is an opportunity for students to “see that engineers aren’t socially awkward.”

Engineers Week coincides with the National Engineers Week, where activities and events are hosted around the nation to promote the career field. The week is “dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers,” according to the National Society of Professional Engineers.

The Events:   8 p.m. Monday, February 20 Movie Night (“Spare Parts”), snacks and drinks will be provided Location: Crothers 204 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 21 The Stratosphere, Sprayers, and Snoopy (Sarah Waltner – B.S. in Electrical Engineering, SDSU Raven Industries) Location: Crothers 204 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, February 22 Engineering Student Dodgeball Tournament Set up a team with your student organization or come as you are and you’ll be put on a team! Location: Wellness Center 7 p.m. Thursday, February 23 Ultimate Engineering Pageant  Location: Crothers 204