Engineering is the field dedicated to using scientific and mathematical knowledge to research and find answers to technical problems. Engineers differ from scientists in their methods of training and thinking, but both are interested in solving problems. Electricity and the automobile are regularly cited as the top engineering feats of the past century.
History of Engineering
Precursors to modern advances in transportation, machines, and power were found in early Greek and Roman society. The drainage systems and aqueducts of the ancient Roman Empire are considered among the greatest engineering accomplishments of history, providing water for public baths and fountains while carrying away waste. The roots of today’s clock are found within the Greek philosophers’ studies of the sky and sun.
Teaching Kids About Engineering
Building projects in classrooms can help get children interested in math, science and engineering.
- Paper and glue can be combined to form a model of a geodesic dome.
- An online quiz allows children to pretend to be civil engineers and determine which bridge should be used for which kind of crossing.
- A free computer game, Building Homes of Our Own, teaches kids how to design, build and sell their own home.
Becoming an Engineer
The field of engineering is highly competitive, attracting people interested in technology and problem solving.
- Find out if engineering suits your personality.
- A college degree in engineering is often one of the required criteria for employment as an engineer. Specialized graduate school programs are also available.
- Consider proper resume formatting to highlight relevant experience.
- Many states have licensing requirements for professional engineers.
- Free job banks and listings are available online.
Working as an Engineer
A number of career opportunities are available in scientific, environmental and construction companies. The median earnings for engineers ranged from $66,030 to $98,380 in 2006. The salary is dependent on the specific position and field.
- Chemical engineers design and study machines that enable chemical reactions needed to make products or test theories.
- Earthquake engineers study how to improve prediction models and preparedness for earthquakes.
- Mechanical engineers work on the design and maintenance of machines.
- Electric engineers work on electronics, such as GPS systems and power generators.
- Software engineers design code and write computer software.
- Civil engineers focus on the construction and operation of power, water and equipment systems.
- There are also support positions available, with engineering technicians focusing on setting up equipment and conducting experiments.
Bridges and Engineering
Bridges are one of the most prominent and clear examples of engineering. They are mathematical and scientific puzzles in which engineers must determine the right materials and size of the bridge to span across a river, valley, or gorge.
There are three types of bridges: beam, truss, and arch.
Beam bridges are used for smaller expanses. They consist of a central beam supported by a pier, usually consisting of blocks of cement, at either end. The truss bridge, typically made of steel, is constructed from connected elements that are vertically arraned in a triangular pattern. The arch bridge dates back to the Roman Empire, a series of half-moons often composed of steel and concrete.
The Research and Information Technology Administration of the United States Department of Transportation maintains a list of the condition of all bridges in the country.
Other Forms of Engineering
Genetic engineering was launched in 1973 when Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer discovered how to clone and splice DNA. Today, gene therapy research is being conducted to try and find cures for cancer and immunodeficiency diseases. At the same time, genetically engineered foods are being developed to improve crop yields and crossbreed plants.
Social engineering attacks are scams where someone is tricked into acting in a manner that unfairly benefits another person. Many social engineering attacks are online phishing schemes where a victim gives away personal information to a site or person they believe is legitimate. A variety of financial scams have also been designed to take people’s money. One of the most well known is a pump and dump scam where the fake virtues of a stock are extolled in an e-mail or on message boards to drive up the price. The scammers then sell the stock they own at an inflated price and the victims lose money on their investment.
Related Engineering Resources
About.com Ancient/Classical History: Review of J. G. Landels' Engineering in the Ancient World [1] About.com Antivirus Software: Phishing scams [2] About.com Antivirus Software: What are Social Engineering Attacks? [3] About.com Antivirus Software: What is Pump and Dump? [4] About.com Architecture: Careers in Engineering [5] About.com Architecture: Free Home Building Computer Game [6] About.com Architecture: How to Build a Geodesic Dome Model [7] About.com Architecture: World's Great Bridges [8] About.com C/C++/C#: What Is Software Engineering? [9] About.com Career Calculators: Salary Comparison and Salary Calculator [10] About.com Career Planning: Careers in Engineering [11] About.com Career Planning: Engineer: Career Information [12] About.com Career Planning: Engineering Technician: Career Information [13] About.com Career Planning: Should You Become an Engineer? Take This Quiz [14] About.com Chemistry: What Is Chemical Engineering? What Do Chemical Engineers Do? [15] About.com Chemistry: What Is the Difference Between a Scientist and an Engineer? [16] About.com College Admissions: Top Engineering Schools in the U.S. [17] About.com Composites/Plastics: Top 20 Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century [18] About.com Geology: Saving Lives with Earthquake Engineering [19] About.com Inventors: Genetic Engineering [20] About.com Job Searching: Sample Resume for an Engineer [21] About.com Nutrition: Are Genetically Engineered Foods Healthy? [22] About.com Tech Careers: Career Profile - Electrical Engineer [23] About.com Tech Careers: Mechanical Engineer Career Profile [24] About.com Thyroid Disease: Genetic Engineering [25] About.com U.S. Military: Air Force Enlisted Job Descriptions - Civil Engineering Career Field [26] Bureau of Transportation Statistics: National and State Bridge Data [27] Engineering Central: Engineering Jobs and Resumes [28] GradSchools.com: Engineering - Other Graduate School Programs - Masters & PhD Degrees [29] National Institute of Standards and Technology: Early Clocks [30] PBS.org: Bridge Basics [31] PBS.org: Building a Bridge Game [32] PE Magazine: Professional Licensing By the Numbers [33] ThePlumber.com: The History of Plumbing - Roman and English Legacy [34]