ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Some of the greatest modern marvels of our times are thanks to engineers. Whether it’s buildings or the bridges we drive on, if it wasn’t for the creative and hard thinking minds of engineers these things just wouldn’t be possible. That’s one of many reasons behind the celebration of National Engineers Week. Explora science museum in Albuquerque is also honoring engineers with week-long activities centered around their work.
“Here at Explora we’re all about STEM education which is science, technology, engineering and math,” says Jessica Tonjes, Membership and Communication Manager for Explora. “So regularly we do experiments based on STEM, but this is a whole week. It’s a national celebration to kind of celebrate and encourage like you said, young minds into engineering.”
Explora has managed to incorporate all those aspects of learning into different classes or demonstrations for kids throughout this week. They also say it’s a chance for kids to get hands on with things like building blocks. The idea behind that exercise is to make a structure that would not collapse in a simulated earthquake. There are also activities on how to make a pyramid or challenging their minds to think outside the box. That’s the entire challenge behind any field of engineering which is seeing what works and what doesn’t. Kids attending this week’s demonstrations at Explora will also get a chance to tap into the minds of engineers who have paved the road before them.
“With the UNM Chemistry Club, there will be liquid nitrogen experiments,” adds Tonjes. “So basic chemistry, engineering, also the flight simulator that we’ll have on Saturday. Kind of a little aerodynamics in there too.”
For more details on National Engineers Week at Explora, you can find that at their website.
