November 2005 ISSUE
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volunteer profile
Outreach Volunteer Crashes Through the Stereotypes
BY ALTHEA ADAMS
Public Relations Coordinator
With an interest in computers, mathematics, physics and chemistry, Andrew Happer,
P.Eng., gravitated towards engineering. It did not disappoint.
“I had been told that engineering was the app-lication of science and I had a keen interest in being able to use scientific methods to solve problems,” says Mr. Happer.
After graduating from high school and completing his first year at the University of British Columbia, it became obvious that mechanical engineering was the place for him. Mr. Happer was particu-larly interested in using computers to control mach-inery and intended to start his career in manufacturing process control.
Fate, however, had other plans. “My first job after university ended up being for a consulting forensic engineering firm and I then realized that I had discovered my true passion.”
Mr. Happer joined APEGGA when he moved from B.C. in 2001. He had been a member of APEGBC since graduating in 1996 when he started working full-time as an E.I.T. In November 2000, he was registered as a P.Eng.
Membership was a requirement of his employ-ment, but more importantly, “I wanted to be recognized as a competent engineer in my field.”
Today he’s exactly that, managing the accident reconstruction group in Sintra Engineering’s Edmonton office. But registration led him down another path, as well — that of a valued volunteer for the APEGGA Outreach program.
“I started volunteering in September 2002 and my contributions have included attending career fairs and making classroom presen-tations. My main focus is the classroom presentations where I talk about structures and forces with Grade 7 students, and dynamics and kinematics with Grade 11 students. I also make career presentations.”
Mr. Happer likes to show students how to apply what they learn to real world problems. He demonstrates how the concepts apply in ways they probably haven’t heard of before, and how he uses them on his job.
“Rather than focusing on buildings and bridges in my structures and forces presentation, I show Grade 7 students that vehicles are structures designed to protect occupants in collisions. For the older students in dynamics and kinematics, I show them examples on how they can apply laws of physics to calculate vehicle speeds.”
It’s particularly rewarding when someone pays special attention.
“I recall one classroom presentation that had a very keen Grade 7 girl. Whenever I asked the class a question, she would have her hand up with the correct answer as if she was reading verbatim from a textbook. I was amazed by her obvious commitment to learning.”
The Natural Volunteer
Volunteering is second nature to Mr. Happer, who always has a few volunteering
activities going on at the same time.
“I perceived that I would be a good person to get involved with Outreach because I have the enthusiasm about my career and engineering, which I could share with students. I also knew that I could show students how interesting it can be to apply scientific concepts to solve problems.”
But while Mr. Happer is giving back to the community he is also receiving. “The value I get from being a volunteer with APEGGA is knowing that I have made the learning process more interesting, that I have provided students with insight about what an engineer does, and that I have opened up students’ minds to seeing engineering from a different perspective — i.e. mechanical engineers are involved in the design of motor vehicles and the reconstruction of motor vehicle collisions.”
Mr. Happer has many other activities to keep him busy. He’s competed in a triathlon, and he’s halfway through a combined MBA and master of engineering degree, which he works on part time. He’s been an avid skateboarder for 19 years, and he's been volunteering with the Southwest Edmonton Area Council since 2002 on the design and construction of the Kaskitayo Youth Park by the William Lutsky YMCA.
The skateboard park was built a year ago, but Mr. Happer remains involved for completion of the remaining phase of the park, which will include basketball courts.
A supportive family is also a big part of Mr. Happer’s life. His wife’s name is Micheline, and they have a four-year-old named Ethan and a one-year-old named Wyatt.
Is there more? You bet — or, more correctly, Mr. Happer bets. “When I do get some free time, I enjoy playing poker.”