In recognition of 2014 Engineers Week, ISA encourages its members and other automation professionals to promote the value of engineering through outreach and volunteerism

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Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (16 January 2014)--With 2014 Engineers Week, 16-22 February 2014, one month away, the International Society of Automation (ISA) encourages its members and other automation engineers and automation professionals to explore the many upcoming Engineers Week activities and related programs, and investigate ways they can spread the word—to students, educators and parents—about the value and significance of engineering careers.

Founded and spearheaded by DiscoverE (formerly the National Engineers Week Foundation), Engineers Week and its affiliated programs—many of which are also occurring in February—are designed to celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world; increase public dialogue about the need for engineers; and bring engineering to life for children, educators and parents.

As a contributing coalition member of DiscoverE, ISA is among more than 70 engineering, educational and cultural societies and more than 50 corporations and government agencies dedicated to raising public awareness of engineers' positive contributions to quality of life.

“ISA is an organization built and supported by the volunteer efforts of its members,” states Patrick Gouhin, ISA Executive Director and CEO. “It’s my hope and expectation that our members will tap into their spirit of volunteerism and examine the various ways they can promote the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in their local communities.

“This year’s Engineers Week provides a great opportunity to take a closer look at the many positive and rewarding DiscoverE programs and events, and consider how to get involved—whether as a student mentor, classroom presenter or judge or coach at a science competition—in the future,” Gouhin says. “Of course, getting involved and giving back to our communities and our profession shouldn’t be a once-a-year event. Volunteering in outreach and educational efforts can be done any time of the year.”

In fact, DiscoverE emphasizes that Engineers Week is much more than a week-long event. It represents a year-round commitment to making a difference. Thousands of Engineers Week-related events take place across the US each year and are hosted by individuals, professional societies, engineering firms and universities. Popular ways to get involved include:

- Speaking at a classroom or after-school group
- Bringing students to your workplace or campus
- Spreading the mission of Engineers Week to colleagues
- Hosting a public event
- Publicizing your plans in the calendar at www.DiscoverE.org
- Getting the word out through social media at www.facebook.com/DiscoverE.org and Twitter@DiscoverEorg

DiscoverE also implements a variety of programs associated with Engineers Week, including:

Future City Competition, a national, project-based learning experience (The national finals will be held 15-18 February 2014 in Washington, DC.) where students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades imagine, design and build cities of the future.

Girl Day (20 February 2014), a day that celebrates girls’ aptitude in STEM learning and shows girls how engineers are changing our world.

Discover Engineering Family Day, a fun-filled day (22 February 2014) designed to introduce students ages four to 12 to engineering and the importance of technological know-how. It attracts thousands of people and kicks off DiscoverE Engineers Week activities in the national capital.

Global Marathon an event (5 March 2014) that unites women in engineering and technology fields around the world for globally connected webcasts and locally organized in-person activities.

As the sister organization of ISA and an association of member organizations focused on advancing the automation profession for the betterment of humanity, the Automation Federation has long supported and promoted Engineers Week and other community outreach initiatives.

“Our member organizations are actively involved in grassroots efforts to improve and expand the learning of STEM throughout our nation, and get our young people excited about careers in automation and engineering,” reports Michael Marlowe, Automation Federation Managing Director and Government Relations Director. “These activities are essential if we are to develop the next generation of automation engineers, technologists and technicians; prepare tomorrow’s workforce to compete in a high-tech, high-skill marketplace; and ensure that we all benefit from ongoing technological and scientific innovations.”

Eric C. Cosman, a consulting engineer at Dow Chemical Company and a nationally recognized expert on industrial automation and control systems security, says that all engineers should make an effort to increase awareness about the relevance and value of engineering and the engineering profession.

“As engineers who have gained in so many ways through our profession, I believe we have a responsibility to share our insights and experiences about the importance of STEM, and provide real-world examples of what a career in engineering can actually mean and offer,” Cosman points out. “I commend ISA and the Automation Federation for their support of these initiatives and I encourage my fellow engineers to make a difference by getting involved.”

About ISA
Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards, certifies industry professionals, provides education and training, publishes books and technical articles, and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals. ISA is the founding sponsor of the Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).

About the Automation Federation
The Automation Federation is a global umbrella organization of fifteen (15) member organizations engaged in automation activities. The Automation Federation enables its members to more effectively fulfill their missions, advance the science and engineering of automation technologies and applications, and develop the workforce needed to capitalize on the benefits of automation. The Automation Federation is the “Voice of Automation.” For more information about the Automation Federation, visit www.automationfederation.org

About DiscoverE
The mission of DiscoverE is to sustain and grow a dynamic engineering profession through outreach, education, celebration and volunteerism. DiscoverE supports a network of thousands of volunteers in its partner coalition of more than 100 professional societies, major corporations and government agencies. Together we meet a vital need: introducing students, parents, and educators to engineering, engaging them in hands-on engineering experiences and making science and math relevant. For more information, visit www.discovere.org.