Press Room
Engineering News-Record Spotlights Those Amazing Engineers and the Adopt-A-School Program - April 7, 2010
Those engineers, they continue to amaze! So, this update of a 2004 primer on the profession, geared toward older elementary and middle-school students, reflects not only new engineering records and niches but also offers incentives to boost its appeal to kids, teachers, parents and corporate sponsors.
The book, which explains what practitioners do in key engineering specialties, has not changed much in presentation, with mostly the same vibrant visuals and kid-friendly text. About 70,000 copies of the first edition, sponsored by the New York chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, are now in print.
Revisions to the book include Taiwan's Taipei 101 skyscraper replacing Kuala Lumpur's shorter Petronas Towers on the cover as well as new space devoted to overviews of two disciplines whose appeal is growing among younger generations: environmental engineering and software engineering.
Also new is publisher Trilogy's push to more link corporate sponsors and school officials through its "Adopt-A-School" program, which matches schools requesting books with companies and associations that will provide copies and a teacher's guide at no charge.
In a pilot effort, consultant Weidlinger Associates, New York City, provided 400 gratis copies to a school in Worcester, Mass., says the publisher, which adds that it has already received more than 6,500 book requests for schools, summer camps and special programs in 31 states. An effort to distribute "Those Amazing Engineers" in New York City schools begins this month, with funding from engineers Halcrow and Thornton Tomasetti.
Trilogy's series, which includes “Those Amazing Scientists," soon will feature the "Those Amazing Builders," which will focus on project managers, contractors and construction trades.
The book's advisory committee is bullish on the possibilities. "It is exciting to imagine the future of our profession," says Mysore Nagaraja, a New York City-based engineering consultant and former president of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's capital construction unit. Adds Michael Della Rocca, president of Halcrow North America, "If we can show children the marvels of everyday things they take for granted and link that knowledge to the engineering profession, we increase the chance that a motivated and talented young person will travel down the path."
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAM OFFERS FREE BOOKS TO INTRODUCE KIDS TO ENGINEERING - January 12, 2010
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ, January 12—Trilogy Publications announces a new program that introduces engineering to upper elementary school students in the classroom through Those Amazing Engineers, a colorful 28-page book, donated by private corporations and associations. Teachers nationwide can now order free books and a teacher’s guide for their classes.
The program matches corporate donors with schools interested in receiving Those Amazing Engineers, an engaging, lively, and fun to read book that introduces kids to the marvelous things engineers can do. With more than 70,000 copies in print, Those Amazing Engineers has been well-reviewed and is already part of classroom activities in some schools. The book also has been widely used in outreach and educational programs of corporations, organizations and universities.
In a pilot Adopt-a-School program, the Quinsigamond School in Worcester MA received 400 books from Weidlinger Associates, an international consulting engineering firm. The books were integrated into the school curriculum. “The books were used in fifth and sixth grades, during guided reading lessons,” reports Qiunsigamond School principal Debbie Mitchell. “Students and teachers alike responded to the book’s humor and colorful examples of what engineers do. In fact, this year I'm going to use the book with staff during professional development, as an excellent example of non-fiction text, to support teachers in their instruction of students.”
K-12 engineering education is vital to today’s students. The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the National Research Council claim it has the potential to improve student learning and achievement in science and mathematics, increase awareness of what engineers do and of engineering as a potential career, and boost students’ technological literacy. A 2009 report by the two organizations stresses that engineering is a profession critical to retaining U.S. competitiveness in the global economy.
Dovetailing with the new White House campaign, “Educate to Innovate,” which encourages the private sector to initiate activities outside the classroom, Trilogy’s Adopt-a-School program promotes private sector activities within the classroom.
Teachers and schools can sign up to receive free copies of Those Amazing Engineers for their students and get more information on the book, the teacher’s guide and the Adopt-a-School program at www.trilogypublications.com or by calling 201-816-1211.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAM SEEKS CORPORATE DONORS TO HELP INTRODUCE KIDS TO ENGINEERING - January 12, 2010
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ, January 12—Trilogy Publications announces a new program to help boost technological literacy and introduce engineering to upper elementary school students through a colorful 28-page book, Those Amazing Engineers. In its Adopt-a-School program Trilogy is seeking private donors to purchase the book and accompanying teachers’ guide, and provide them free of charge to support activities within the classroom.
K-12 engineering education is vitally important. The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the National Research Council claim it has the potential to improve student learning and achievement in science and mathematics, increase awareness of what engineers do and of engineering as a potential career. A 2009 report by the two organizations stresses that engineering is a profession critical to retaining U.S. competitiveness in the global economy.
Those Amazing Engineers, an engaging, lively, and fun to read book, is an ideal way to introduce kids to the marvelous things engineers can do. With more than 70,000 copies in print, Those Amazing Engineers has been well reviewed and is already part of classroom activities in some schools. The book also has been widely used in outreach programs of corporations, organizations and universities. Under its Adopt-a-School program Trilogy will now match private donors with schools interested in receiving the book.
“The Adopt-a-School program is a systematic way to get the books into classrooms,” says Rose Reichman, a partner in Trilogy Publications, “and is an appropriate public service activity that not only engineering firms and associations can support, but any company that’s interested in a technologically skilled workforce—whether its involved in construction, computers, electronics, pharmaceuticals, aerospace or manufacturing. Our program dovetails nicely with the new White House “Educate to Innovate” directive encouraging the private sector to initiate activities outside the classroom.”
“Those Amazing Engineers opens up the world of engineering to our youth and makes accessible to them a profession of great importance and creativity by illustrating how it affects every aspect of our lives, says Hannah O’Grady, vice president of the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York. “As an advocate for the profession, we commend this effort and believe it will influence a new generation of engineers.”
Corporations and organizations interested in the Adopt-a-School program can find information at www.trilogypublications.com or by calling 201-816-1211.