TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama College of Engineering has planned several events to celebrate National Engineers Week Feb. 17-23.

During the week, emphasis will be placed on introducing high school students to the opportunities available within the field of engineering. “We let them know engineering affects every aspect of their lives,” Wendy Jones, coordinator of UA engineering student recruitment, said.

On Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. UA students and faculty from the College of Engineering will teach Victoria Evans’ upper-level physics classes at Central High School East in Tuscaloosa about engineering through projects, games and videos. Through this class time, the representatives show students how engineering relates to subjects they’re learning.

“We’re really just trying to expose students to opportunities within the field of engineering,” Jones said. She added that representatives are willing to go to any school during the year -- not just during Engineers Week -- to conduct these workshops.

The State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame will also induct six individuals and honor two projects and one corporation or institution on Saturday, Feb. 23.

During February, the College also will have several alumni recruiting events. A COE alum will invite local high school students to their home. At these events, the prospective students have opportunities to ask the dean, faculty and even current students questions about the University and engineering. “The students that come are usually very interested and ask a lot of questions,” Jones said. Such visits also take place throughout the year, Jones added.

This year’s theme for the week is “Without Engineers the World Stops.” The National Society of Professional Engineers founded national Engineers Week in 1951. Thousands of engineers, engineering students, teachers and leaders in government and business will participate. The goal is to increase the public’s awareness and appreciation of engineers.

More information about this week is available at www.eweek.org. For more information on The University of Alabama College of Engineering, please contact Jones at 205/348-2547 or wjones@coe.eng.ua.edu.