WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks is celebrating its history while preparing students for the future through National Engineers Week events and activities, to be held Feb. 20 to 24. While the college’s roots in engineering date back to 1927, Penn State has offered engineering degrees for more than 125 years.

Penn State Berks is the only college in Berks County to offer not one but two nationally accredited baccalaureate degrees in engineering. Electro-mechanical engineering technology and mechanical engineering are both accredited by ABET, the global leader in accreditation of engineering programs. ABET accreditation means the degree program is recognized globally. Students in both programs complete hundreds of internships, and many establish their careers in the Greater Reading area.

E-Week events and activities

Student Engineering Club Presentations: Monday, Feb. 20, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Lobby

This event will serve as an introduction to student organizations and an opportunity for students to learn and engage with the college’s engineering clubs. It is open to the Penn State Berks community.

Engineering Alumni and Student Reception: Monday, Feb. 20, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Lobby

Reception for both engineering alumni and students. The event includes tours of the engineering laboratories in the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, led by students and faculty. Attendees will also have access to the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development Center. This event is open to the public and light refreshments will be served.

Alumni and Student Panel Discussion: Monday, Feb. 20, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Room 121

Panel discussion includes engineering alumni and current students who will share perspectives on the field of engineering and studying Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering at Penn State Berks. This event is open to the public.

Industry Engineers Panel Discussion: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Room 121

Engineers and engineering managers from local industries will discuss how graduating students can identify and pursue career opportunities, what skills are coveted by employers, and what new engineers should expect as they embark on their engineering careers. This event is for Penn State Berks students only.

Makerspace Open House: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 6 to 8 p.m., Berks LaunchBox (located within GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington Street, Suite 105, Reading)

The community is invited to learn about Berks LaunchBox’s equipment, meet the makers, learn new skills, and take home a free, laser-cut project that will inspire attendees to visit again. Free and open to community members of all ages.

Engineering Open House: Thursday, Feb. 23, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Lobby

Community members and students from area high schools are invited to tour the college’s engineering labs. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain perspective on engineering degrees at the college by touring state-of-the-art laboratories, accessing interactive augmented and virtual reality technologies, viewing displays of student capstone projects, and interacting with current students. This event is open to the public and light refreshments will be served.

Student Engineering Competition and LEGO Spike Robotics Activity: Friday, Feb. 24, 1:15 p.m. to 4 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Lobby

Current engineering students will have the opportunity to compete in a “marble-run” competition. Students must complete a downhill progression in one minute. Tracks will be designed and constructed within a time limit and specific design considerations. The team that finishes the task closest to the time goal will win the competition. Lego Spike Robotics will be available to have students design, build, and program a robot to complete an obstacle course. Various programming methods are available and no programming experience is necessary to participate. This event is open to Penn State Berks faculty and students.

For more information about Penn State Berks Engineers Week events, contact Chuck Stricker at 610-396-6378 or via email at chuck.stricker@psu.edu.