COVID-19 has laid bare the critical work of engineers in creating a world safe from pandemics, climate change, cyber-attacks, and other daunting global challenges. Engineers Week is a time to celebrate this important work and engage with other innovators. Even with social distancing, you can participate and share in the excitement. This year Mason students will take the lead to organize events that capture the spirit and excitement of the fields of engineering and technology.
Organizers will track student participation for the Engineer's Cup. Be sure to check this page often and keep up-to-date on announcements, events, competitions, and prizes.
Thank you
Thank you to the George Mason Engineer's Week Organizing Leadership Team:
Hayes Makinano, Saira Amjad, Hajrah Choudhry, Rezia Mahmud, Giselle Aparicio, Roozah Sughran Khan, Likhitha Addagatia, Zainab Syed, Keil Eggers, and Said Ahmed
Schedule of Events
Saturday, February 20
11:00 a.m. — ThinSat Virtual Launch Party
The NG-15 ThinSat Virtual Launch Party organized by Virginia Space begins at 11:00 a.m. This event will include presentations from program representatives, a live stream of the launch, and Space Data Dashboard live data monitoring after deployment of ThinSats. Watch as the rocket carrying George Mason University's ThinSats starts its journey to space.
Monday, February 22
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. — So You Think You Want to Be an Engineer: Stories and Advice from Current Engineering Students
Engineers have many career paths to explore, and we want to inspire the next generation to choose the path that is right for their interests. In honor of this year’s Engineers Week theme, Imagining Tomorrow, join a student panel to learn more about engineering degrees at the Volgenau School of Engineering. This event is perfect for prospective engineering students who want to hear firsthand from students about their experiences and how they chose their path to an engineering degree.
7:00- 8:00 p.m. — Women in Engineering Panel
Join us to hear about experiences, challenges, highlights, and advice from women working in various engineering fields including electrical, cyber, aeronautical, and systems engineering. Interact with our panelists through a Q&A session.
Tuesday, February 23
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. — Diversity and Equal Opportunity in the Tech Industry
As the tech industry becomes more distinguished and prominent, matters of diversity and equal opportunity are commonly discussed in hopes of promoting inclusion. Join us to learn about the importance of diversity and equal opportunity, along with how the tech industry is addressing these critical topics from our panelists. The discussion will be followed by an opportunity to interact with the panelists through a Q&A session.
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. — CoStar Day in the Life of a Security Engineer
Join to learn about a day in the life of a security engineer with CoStar and learn about employment opportunities.
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. — Cleared Careers in Technology and Engineering
Have questions about working in the cleared space as a career? Join us for a 1-hour interactive panel to hear advice for navigating the clearance process, tips for advancing in the cleared space, the job market and much more.
Wednesday, February 24
12:00- 1:00 p.m. — Supporting Community Resilience by Closing the Digital Divide
George Mason’s Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC) supports communities in creating life-changing social and economic opportunities through locally-led resilience and sustainability initiatives. One of C-RASC’s major thrusts is helping communities close the digital divide. Closing the digital divide is a fundamental enabler for greater equity as underserved communities are able to capitalize on the benefits of “smart” internet-enabled technologies. Achieving this objective involves addressing many engineering challenges, as well as important human challenges in effective implementation in communities. This workshop introduces C-RASC, and poses a socio-technical challenge in bringing digital connectivity to an underserved community. Participants break into groups to work on solutions and reconvene to share.
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. — Introduction to Peace Engineering
Peace Engineering is an exciting new field of study that has emerged to empower engineers to actively support conditions for peace. The Carter School Peace Engineering Lab was recently founded as an experimental space for the Mason community to develop peace engineering approaches. The panel will introduce the Peace Engineering Lab and lab members will share their research and opportunities to get involved.
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. — Cyber in Industry Panel
The need for cybersecurity in the technology sector continues to grow. Join us as guest speakers from Northrop Grumman’s Cyber Team, Verizon Media, and The Media Trust discuss security concepts. Topics will include major security issues such as identifying and remediating security threats, as well as privacy and quality control within an organization. The panel would assist students in discovering experiences, jobs, internships, recommendations, challenges of the cyber industry. The session will include a Q&A portion at the end.
Thursday, February 25
10:30 -11:30 a.m. — Managing for Uncertainty: A Peace Engineering Approach
Peace Engineering seeks to discover how engineering principles can support conditions for peace. Engineers often find themselves on the frontlines of conflict, whether in reconstruction post-conflict or in developing systems and technology that can improve people’s lives. In many contexts, engineers can plan far ahead and feel confident that their work will produce the desired results. Unfortunately, the same conditions don’t apply in a rapidly moving conflict. This presentation will explore how peace engineers can manage uncertainty with the Cynefin Framework and play a role in strengthening anticipatory governance mechanisms through tools like SenseMaker that are being developed by the Carter School Peace Engineering Lab.
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. — Splunk4Rookies
Splunk4Rookies is an opportunity to discover the value of Splunk, hands-on, in a matter of hours. Attendees get an introduction to Splunk, along with live experience creating a Splunk app and dashboard based on multiple use cases. The workshop is designed to take between 2.5 – 3 hours and will guide attendees through creating an App in the Splunk platform, adding data, and performing search, analysis, and dashboarding exercises.
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Friday, February 26
12:00 - 12:15 p.m. — Engineers Week Cup
The Volgeanu School of Engineering Department with the most student participants in Engineer’s Week events will be announced and awarded the coveted Engineer’s Week Cup! Winners of the VSE Engineer’s Week Social Media Contest will also be announced.