CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB
www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org
 

NEXT MEETING (The Read House)_____________________________________________
 
Monday, January 24:  "Igniting Interest In Science in the Elementary Years"  Erica Thornburg, Girls, Inc.
 
Erica Thornburg will tell us exactly how Operation SMART has been introduced to girls ages 6 to 18 in Chattanooga.  SMART stands for Science, Math and Relevant Technology and was started nationally by Girls Incorporated in 1985.  She will tell us what has worked to ignite interest in science and math in the elementary years to start girls on a path to becoming engineers, auto mechanics, microsurgeons, and astronauts. 
 
Operation SMART: 

Assume girls are interested in math, science, and technology. Too many girls — and too many children of color — still get the message that math and science aren’t for them. 

Let them make big, interesting mistakes. Girls who are overly protected in the lab or on the playground have few chances to assess risks and solve problems on their own.

Help them get past the “yuk” factor. Girls Incorporated encourages girls to put concerns about their “femininity” aside and get good and grubby digging in a river bed or exploring a car engine.

Expect them to succeed. Girls Inc. teaches that they are not only capable of mastering math and science, they’re expected to continue to do so throughout high school and college. They learn that their ambition is as natural as boys’— and as necessary, if they are to become leaders of the 21st century.

Girls Inc. is a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. With roots dating to 1864, Girls Inc. has provided vital educational programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Today, innovative programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent, and fulfilling lives. 

SPECIAL E-WEEK ANNOUNCEMENT__________________________________
 
The 2005 Chattanooga Area Engineer’s Week Awards committee invites you to submit a candidate for nomination to one of the following E-Week awards: "Engineer of the Year", "Young Engineer of the Year" or "Technician of the Year."  To obtain the nomination forms please contact Bryan Eldridge, at 423-238-7111 x 23202 or  326-1699 or by email at bryan_eldridge@mckee.com or eldridgeb@asme.org.

Nominations forms need to be received by Byran Eldridge by email by February 11.  General award qualifications are:

ENGINEER OF THE YEAR- graduate of an accredited engineering college with a baccalaureate in a recognized engineering discipline; known for practice in Chattanooga, registered as a professional engineer.

YOUNG ENGINEER OF THE YEAR-  same as for Engineer of the Year except EIT can be held in lieu of registration; under thirty six years of age during 2004.

TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR- graduate of a two-year associate of applied science degree in engineering technology with a minimum of five years experience OR 10 years  related work experience with two letters of recommendation from engineers verifying that the level of work is consistent with that required of someone with a two year degree.

OUR PREVIOUS MEETING________________________________________________
 
January 17: - No meeting on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 10:  Topic:  "Changes in Signal Mountain Storm Water Run Off"  - Sam Powell & Bill Wagner, Signal Mountain
 
A video was shown that defined watershed and showed what happens to the water as it washes away trash, chemicals, and wastes from humans and animals.  When the water finally enters the Gulf of Mexico, it has little oxygen and has picked up a lot of nitrogen (from fertilizers).  Fish, shrimp and algae are dying as a result.  So, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is encouraging municipalities to take steps to educate and involve the public in keeping the water in the smaller streams cleaner.  Some things that we can do at our homes are to pick up our pet's feces, be sure our connections to the sewer or septic tank are in good working order, avoid putting too many chemicals on our lawns especially just before rain, avoid putting chemicals in the storm sewers including suds from washing our cars in our driveways.

Some new landscaping and architectural ideas were presented.  They showed a parking lot that is sloped to drain to a planted area.  The planted area not only adds to the beauty of the parking lot, it helps to filter rain that washes chemicals that have dripped out of parked vehicles and onto the pavement.  
 
Municipalities like the town of Signal Mountain will be audited every year by the EPA for their progress.  Sam Powell has been helping to name some of the streams that never have been named so that individuals or groups can adopt a stream and help to keep it clean.  They have had at least two big stream clean up days on Signal Mountain, so far, and have given away T-shirts to those who helped.  
 
FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS_____________________________________________
 
January 31:  Plant Tour of Southern Champion Tray (Paperboard Packaging Specialists since 1927).  Meet at 9:30 am at the plant on 220 Compress Street (37405).  Parking is available near the plant sign and U.S. flag near the entrance to the office (green roof). They shut down the plant from 11 to 12 for lunch and they want us to see the plant in operation.  So, our tour will be between 9:30 and 11:00 am.
 
February 7:  "Steel - The Cold, Hard Facts About a Red-Hot Commodity"  Nelson Burger, Siskin Steel
 
February 14:  TBD  (maybe "The Plan For Downtown Chattanooga Through 2025"  City of Chattanooga)
 
February 21:  No Meeting - Presidents Day
 
Wednesday, February 23:  Engineers Week Keynote Speaker:  David Magee, author of Ford Tough
This joint meeting with the Chattanooga Technology Council will be at the Chattanooga Convention & Trade Center.  Lunch will be $12.  Reservations at least a week before the event are recommended and may be made by calling Tiffany Gibby at 751-3168.  Please use the attached flyer to invite others.
 
February 28:  "How to Design a Display that will Grab and Hold a Child's Attention"  Bobbe Spink, Montessori School
 
March 7:  "Local Elementary School Experiment In Weightless Environment, Partnering with NASA"  Debbie Rosenow, Battle Academy
 
March 14:  "Eastern Interconnect Phasor Project -- Responding to NERC's Blackout Recommendations"  Mike Ingram, TVA
 
March 21:  (or earlier) "The Plan For Downtown Chattanooga Through 2025"  Karen Hundt, City of Chattanooga  
 
March 28:  "Robotics Role in the Military"  Don Jones, MESA Robotics, Madison, AL
 
April 4:  (maybe  March 21?) "Cooking Like The Jetsons With The Intelligent Ovens Now Being Built In Chattanooga"  David Mansbery, TMIO
 
WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________________
 
We meet at The Read House, and lunch is $11.  Parking is free at the Days Inn across MLK Blvd. but you’ll need a note in your windshield that you’re attending the Chattanooga Engineers Club meeting.  Valet parking (by AAA, the manager of the Read House Hotel parking garage) is about $3 for lunch events.  The Read House Hotel garage entrance is now on Broad Street.
 
QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS? ______________________________________________
 
If you have any questions or suggestions about program items please contact Judy Driggans at 423-751-7616 or by email at jdriggans@comcast.net. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org.