Joan Chadde attended the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) national convention in Indianapolis, for the national book launch of the Family Engineering Activity and Event Planning Guide. More than 15,000 classroom teachers, school adminstrators, curriculum specialists, and nonformal educators at museums and other venues, attend this conference, as well as, science and STEM educators from around the world.
The Center for Technology and Training (CTT), a part of the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI), hosted the Michigan Bridge Workshop and Conference in Howell, March 20 and 21.
The conference brought together more than 160 engineers and engineering technicians from Michigan County Road Commissions, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Federal Highway Administration, and private firms to learn about bridge design, construction, inspection, funding, and administrative issues related to bridges and new bridge technology.
As part of World Water Day, Professor Alex Mayer (CEE) was recognized for his initiative and dedication in cofounding and leading the Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society (MT-CWS).
Mayer, who received a certificate and a stained glass scene of Lake Superior, cofounded the CWS in 2005. The organization’s mission is to enhance the ability and visibility of Michigan Tech to solve water-related problems of local, regional, and international interest.
Mayer stepped down in August of 2011. “I had a great time for six years,” he said. “I have worked with so many remarkable people who have contributed to the success of the center, but I felt it was time for some new blood and to bring in people with exciting and new ideas.”
Professor Noel Urban (CEE) succeeds Mayer.
Members of Michigan Tech’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) are in Detroit to participate in an alternative spring break 2012 week. Eight members of the Michigan Tech student chapter of the NSBE will visit six middle schools and one high school to talk with students. They will also conduct Family Engineering events at three schools. Family Engineering includes fun, hands-on activities for the whole family, such as “Mining For Chocolate” and “Glue Is The Clue.” The program, developed at Michigan Tech and now available across Michigan and nationwide, is designed to engage and inspire young people and their families to consider careers in engineering and science. Read More
UPDATE: See a Video about Engineering Students Spring Break to Detroit Schools
Timothy Juidici ’04 (CEE) is the winner of the 2012 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Young Professional of the Year Award.
The annual award recognizes engineers under the age of 30 for their contributions to the profession and society.
Juidici is currently featured on the website of the National Engineers Week Foundation. See Award.
He is a project manager and client representative for Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment Inc. (OHM), headquartered in Livonia. The firm has an office in Hancock.
Graduate student Kenny Ng (CEE) and Assistant Professsor Qingli Dai (CEE) published a paper, “Tailored Extended Finite-Element Model for Predicting Crack Propagation and Fracture Properties within Idealized and Digital Cementitious Material Samples,” in the Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, 138 (1), 89-100.
Assistant Professor Qingli Dai (CEE), Associate Professor Theresa Ahlborn (CEE), a colleague, graduate student Kenny Ng (CEE) and graduate student Eric Kreiger (CEE) published a paper,”Damage Investigation of Single-Edge Notched Beam Tests with Normal Strength Concrete and Ultra High Performance Concrete Specimens Using Acoustic Emission Techniques,” in the journal of Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier, 31, 231-242.
The Center for Technology and Training (CTT), a part of the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI), hosted the 46th annual Michigan County Engineer’s Workshop in Mount Pleasant, February 13–16.
More than 130 engineers, managers and engineering technicians from Michigan county road commissions, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and municipal road agencies across Michigan attended the conference to learn about new technology and issues impacting the design, construction and maintenance of local agency-owned roads.
John Ryynanen, editor and technical writer for the CTT, and Melanie Kueber, research engineer for CTT, planned the event with a committee of engineers from the County Road Association of Michigan, including event cochair and Michigan Tech alumnus Lance Malburg (CEE ’92) from the Dickenson County Road Commission.
Associate Professor Stan Vitton (CEE) and Director Tim Colling (CTT) made presentations at the event. Also presenting were Michigan Tech alumni: Brenda O’Brien ’84, MDOT; Brian Gutowski ’88, Emmett County Road Commission; Gerald Fulcher ’80, DEQ; Doug Needham ’95, MITA; and Bruce Kadzban ’77, MDOT. Receiving an award for 23 years of service on the steering committee for the Michigan Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) was Ronald Young ’73, Alcona County Road Commission.
Michigan Tech celebrates National Engineers Week 2012 February 19-25.
National Engineers Week celebrates the positive contributions engineers make to society and is a catalyst for outreach across the country to kids and adults alike. For the past 60 years, National Engineers Week (E-Week) has been celebrated each February around the time of George Washington’s birthday, February 22, because Washington is considered by many to be the first US engineer. Each year the national celebration grows, and this year Michigan Tech will jump head first into E-Week with 30 different engineering events on campus for all to enjoy.
The Rail Transportation Program (RTP) and the Rail Engineering and Activities Club (REAC) held the 7th Annual Railroad Night, February 21, 2012 at the Shelden Grill in the Magnuson Hotel, Houghton. This year’s keynote speaker was Kevin Kesler, Chief of the Engineer and Operating Practice Division for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This was a great opportunirty to meet rail industry people, see photos at the Rail Transportation Program link: Railroad Night 2012 for more information.
Are you addicted to plastic? Find out about society’s plastic addiction and what can be done about it at the next film in the Green Film Festival series at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, in Forestry G002.
Called “Addicted to Plastic,” the film focuses on the worldwide production, use and environmental effects of plastic. Associate Professor Judith Perlinger (CEE) will lead a discussion after the showing.
The film is free, but a $3 donation is requested. Sponsors are the Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society, the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and the Keweenaw Land Trust.