The Engineering Place (K-20 Outreach)
Bringing engineering to life across North Carolina through outreach, mentoring and education
Accessbility Navigation
Have you ever solved a problem? Maybe you have solved a homework problem in math or science. But what about a problem like how to do your chores faster or how to reach something on a tall shelf? Engineers solve society’s problems, and their work is all around you!
Below are some examples of what an engineer might do to make the world you live in a better place:
Getting Around – Take a look at your tennis shoes — what do you use them for? Can you list all of the materials in your shoe? Can you find different kinds of tennis shoes and compare their features and tread? How are they different? Engineers develop lighter and stronger materials that allow your feet to breath and design shoes to perform the best for different types of activities like running, basketball and skateboarding.
Staying Well – Have you ever had an x-ray at the doctor’s office or dentist? You probably got to see your tissue and bones! Lots of engineers work to develop the machines that take these images. Engineers also design things like electronic thermometers, hearing aids and tiny robots so small that they can be used for surgery!
Yummy on the Tummy – We all love a great candy bar or piece of chocolate, but where and how are they made? Engineers design equipment to make your favorite candies and foods, as well as design processes that don’t waste ingredients and produce the freshest, best-tasting treats! They might also be involved in developing the packaging that your candy is wrapped in — from the materials to the shape and design!
Chemicals at Work – Have you ever wondered how that sticker on your apple stays on during shipping and at the store but comes off so easily when you are ready to eat it? Engineers develop new chemicals and materials that make our lives easier — like the stuff in diapers which makes them absorb liquids, glue that can be used on your skin instead of stitches and solar cells that can collect the sun’s energy.
Games, Games and More Games – Have you ever played games on a Nintendo Wii™ or a Playstation®? Engineers and Computer Scientists not only designed the box, the guts and the handsets, but they also designed all of the software tools for the graphics, menus, sounds and actions! Next time you play, thank an engineer!
