Students in West Virginia Universitys College of Engineering and Mineral Resourcesarecelebrating National Engineers Week, Feb. 17-24, with activities ranging from a Carnegie Science Center exhibit to a basketball tournament.

National Engineers Week is traditionally celebrated around the time of George Washingtons birthday to honor our nations first president who was a military engineer and a surveyor, noted Migri Prucz, coordinator of enrollment management for the college.

Engineers Week helps increase public awareness of and appreciation for the many contributions that engineers make to our society,said Prucz.It gives us a chance to celebrate our profession.

Activities began with WVU s Eighth Grade Day in Engineering on Saturday (Feb. 17) in the atrium of the Mineral Resources Building. Engineering students at WVU led area middle school children in hands-on engineering activities. During the afternoon, the eighth graders assembled into small groups for lab tours, demonstrations and further activities. About 75 eighth graders from the Morgantown area and surrounding counties participated.

Yesterday afternoon (Sunday, Feb. 18), students from various departments within the college teamed up for some action on the court in a basketball tournament at the Student Recreation Center.

Additionally, engineering students will enjoy a movie night today (Monday, Feb. 19) along with a poetry and art display Wednesday (Feb. 21) on the ground floor of the Engineering Sciences Building. Students in the college will also discover theirinner-nerdon Dress Like a Nerd Day Thursday (Feb. 22) and enjoy an Engineering Formal on Friday (Feb. 23).

On Saturday (Feb. 24), area high school students will visit the college for the TEAM +S competition and engineering demonstrations.

Various student organizations, led by the colleges Student Advisory Council, are in charge of the weeks activities.

For more information about National Engineers Week at WVU , contact Prucz at Migri.Prucz@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-4821, ext. 2218.