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The ESB - Maryland Engineering Challenges The Challenges evolved from a number of different initiatives, including interested groups of engineers, educators and volunteers involved at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The first Engineering Challenge held at the Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI) took place in 1991 and involved a single event - a middle school challenge to make a cargo crane out of drinking straws. Early Challenges took place solely during National Engineers Week - the third week in February, occurring near the birthday of the nation's first engineer, George Washington. The events have developed significantly over the years, from the 1991 challenges involving only 31 school teams to the 2007 challenges involving more than 300. The mission of the challenges has remained constant since its beginning: to introduce young people to the excitement of a career in Engineering, Science and Technology. Supporting the Challenge Events Companies and individuals who would like to help by volunteering or making contributions toward the costs of funding the challenges activities are invited to contact: ESB - William R. Gluck P.E., Chair, 2008 Engineering Challenge Events National Engineers Week Challenges - February 16 and 23, 2008 High School Wood Bridge Challenge - Saturday, February 16, 2008 (Registration Deadline Jan. 18, 2008 4:00 PM) Additional 2008 Engineering Challenges
History of Maryland's Engineering Challenges The Engineering Challenges as we know them today have evolved from a number of different initiatives from groups of engineers, educators and people involved with the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The first Engineering Challenge held at the Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI) took place in 1991 and comprised a single event- a middle school challenge to make a cargo crane out of drinking straws. The next year, this competition was expanded to include a range of challenges for all ages from elementary to high school students. This pattern has continued to this day. The 1992 event was given a great boost by the interest of then Governor William Donald Schaefer, who opened the event and spent two hours signing T-shirts. Mayor Kurt Schmoke and Nancy Grasmick were other visitors over the years. The challenges have appeared in TV programs, as well as newspaper and magazine articles. Early Challenges took place solely during National Engineers Week - the third week in February, occurring near the birthday of the nation's first engineer, George Washington. However, by 1995 it was realized that this schedule is too difficult to accommodate many middle and high schools, which have a change of class in late January. By 1995, the present pattern of holding the two challenges during Engineers' Week, and the remaining events during the following months, had been established. The events have developed significantly over the years. The 1991 challenges involved only 31 teams, and in recent years close to 300 teams have participated. The challenges keep changing, too. The year 2000 saw the introduction of the Paper Plane, Hovercraft and Recycling challenges, and 2001 brought the start of a partnership with NASA, and the inclusion of the Earth and Space challenge, with the first round taking place on-line. For 2008, the Eco-Power Challenge has been added to focus attention on environmentally friendly, renewable energy resources. The overall purpose of the challenges remains the same, however, to introduce young people to the excitement of careers in Engineering and Technology. In recent years, we have been delighted to find that one of our young Professional Engineering judges had taken part in an early Wood Bridge challenge, and other, more recent contestants are now studying Engineering in college. We look forward to following their careers, and are keen to hear news of others who may be following the same path. |
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