Fields of engineering

Section 3: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Plate Tectonics

Project Type: Career
Have students study aspects of the field of engineering and how this career option influences resources, energy, and development. Careers include environmental, mechanical, electrical, civil, and ceramic engineers, as well as hydrologists, geologists, and metallurgists. As a class, design a spreadsheet that lists the field of engineering and how it relates to conserving and protecting the environment.

Introduction:
Engineering is one of the many career paths available to science students. Men and women who study engineering find themselves engaged in work in diverse areas such as chemistry, biology, manufacturing, and materials, to name just a few of the places where they can apply their skills. Investigate some of the fields where engineers work and learn more about this field of study.

Task:
Have students use the Internet to conduct research about different career paths available to engineers. Students may choose to review professional journals and magazines and interview engineers in the community to learn about this professional path.

Have students use their research to compile a spreadsheet about engineering as a profession. They will create a class spreadsheet using these headings:

Engineering Field

Education Required

Applicable Industries

Types of Skills Needed

Description of Work Accomplished

Web Links

Other Information

Students should add other headings to the spreadsheet to incorporate other research they find such as how the engineers protect the environment. Have students complete a row in the spreadsheet for each type of engineering field they research. Allow students time to conduct research and to enter information.

As students conduct their investigations, have them select two to four entries in the spreadsheet and respond to the following prompts for each engineering field.

Where can someone interested in studying this type of engineering go to college?

What level of education is required to pursue a career in this engineering field?

In what types of industries might this type of engineer find a career path?

What do professionals in this field of engineering do to promote or protect the environment?

How would this type of engineering allow me to find personal and professional success?

At the end of the semester or school year, students will have access to a spreadsheet providing information about various career paths in the field of engineering. Allow students to have electronic or paper copies of the spreadsheet. Continue to develop information for the spreadsheet as semesters or school years go by.

Time:
Students will use the spreadsheet to collect data on a regular basis over a period of the semester or school year. Students will respond to summary questions as the spreadsheet becomes populated.