Engineering fairs excite student minds

The Department of Physics and Engineering at Vancouver Island University is pleased to host its second annual series of Engineering Fairs starting with three all-day events in December.  These events introduce Grade 11 physics students to engineering practice through a design competition and interaction with local engineering firms.  Schools within District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith), 69 (Parksville-Qualicum), and 79 (Cowichan Valley) are invited to participate during the 2008/09 school year.   

The Engineering Fair originated as an annual event held in May but has since grown to six events held each year.  In 2007/08, over 250 students from eight local high schools participated in these events.  The Department of Physics and Engineering would like to thank the NSERC Promoscience program, the NSERC Pacific Regional Opportunities fund, and VIU for their financial support of this event.  We would also like to thank local engineering firms Inuktun Services and Herold Engineering for providing engineering staff to mentor students during the fairs.

These Engineering Fairs are offered to the community through the newly expanded Engineering program offered at VIU.  In addition to the successful first year engineering transfer program to both UBC (University of British Columbia) and UVic (University of Victoria), students now have the option of taking a two year transfer program to the Electrical and Computer Engineering program at UVic. Acceptance into third year at UVic is guaranteed upon acceptance into the VIU second year program. 

The event schedule for December includes Engineering Fairs on December 2 at VIU with Kwalicum and Cowichan Bay Secondaries, December 17 with Woodlands Secondary and December 18 with John Barsby Secondary. If you are interested in finding out more information on the Engineering Fair or Engineering transfer program, please contact Brian Dick (753-3245, local 2435) or visit our website at www.viu.ca/engineering.