APRIL 2008 Issue

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They Build Bridges, TOO

The Enbridge Pipelines team celebrates a bridge-of-cards win in Edmonton. From left are Brian Chu, James Martin, P.Eng., Shadie Radmard, P.Eng., and Steven Bott, E.I.T. Bragging rights, however, go the Calgary team of Pason Systems Corp., whose bridge was strong enough to support eight decks of cards.

Members Celebrate Professions In a Busy Week of Events

BY NANICA BROWN
Public Relations Coordinator
Calgary

APEGGA members were busy Making a World of Difference during National Engineering & Geoscience Week, Feb. 21 to March 2. APEGGA and permit holders organized a variety of events to highlight the vital roles that engineers, geologists and geophysicists play in the daily lives of Albertans.

For the 13th year the week began with the distribution of an NEGW supplement in the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal. The supplement showcased how APEGGA’s innovative engineers and geoscientists are Making a World of Difference in their local communities and around the globe.

Two corporate challenges kicked off the week. Quorum Business Solutions hosted one at Calgary’s Eau Claire Market, and the City of Edmonton Department of Transportation hosted the other at City Hall. Challenged to build the best card bridge, 10 teams in Calgary and 12 in Edmonton came up with creative ways to span the gap.

	BUILDING UP THE SCIENCES Above, competitors in the Red Deer Science Olympics go to work. Bottom, Calgary judge Allisha Sordi, E.I.T., tests Pason’s winning bridge.

Enbridge Pipelines won in Edmonton. In Calgary, the Pason Systems Corp. team took top spot by managing to support eight decks of cards on its creation — more than the Edmonton team could.

APEGGA also held four science nights at elementary schools in Calgary and seven in Edmonton and area. These events were well received by the students, parents and school staff who participated in the hands-on science activities and demonstrations, run by APEGGA members.

About 400 students took part in each of two APEGGA science olympics — in Calgary on Feb. 23 at the Stampede Grounds and in Edmonton at the APEGGA-sponsored event at the Shaw Conference Centre on March 1. APEGGA branches also held science olympics in Red Deer, Cold Lake, Lloydminster and Lethbridge.

These events challenged students to take math and science out of the classroom and into the world. Putting them on takes a huge effort, and it does not go unnoticed.

“Science olympics was well organized and the activities were very fun for the kids,” wrote one teacher. “I know a lot of time and effort are put in by APEGGA and all the volunteers to host an event like this, and it was a job very well done.”

Fluor Canada once again celebrated National Engineering and Geoscience Week by holding several events, including the popular Canstruction. This event saw engineering students, professionals and others use over 56,000 cans of food to create interesting  structures. The Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank received the bounty after the display was “de-Canstructed” on March 1.

In Calgary, news of the week’s activities appeared on Citytv, CTV and TELUS TV. Edmonton received coverage on CTV and Global TV, and in the Edmonton Examiner and the Edmonton Journal.