Illinois Institute of Technology's (IIT) Rice Campus will host the 24th Annual DuPage Area Engineers Week this February.  Part of National Engineers Week, this fun and educational celebration of engineering features the Engineers Week Expo on Saturday, February 23, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the annual Speaker's Forum on Thursday, February 21, at 6:30 p.m..  This year's theme is "Engineered in Illinois," highlighting the many innovations of Illinois engineers, with a particular focus on sustainability and green buildings.

The Dupage Area Engineers Week Expo features a series of interactive displays designed to enhance children's interest in math, science and engineering.   Volunteers from engineering societies, business, government and education donate their time each year to create fun, hands-on activities and demonstrations that allow young people to experience and explore the many fields of engineering.  Exhibits are aimed at middle-school age students, but are fun and educational for people of all ages.

One of the more popular demonstrations is cryogenics, in which items are dropped into a liquid that can freeze an object within seconds. New exhibitors this year include SCARCE, DuPage County’s environmental education arm; robotics from IIT’s Mechanical Engineering Department; and architectural exhibits, including models, photos, and other forms. “Scientific demonstrations like these have an amazing effect on the children and create lasting memories that make them want to learn”, says Dr. Robert Carlson, Director of IIT's Rice Campus.

The Speaker’s Forum on February 21 will feature Jim Patchett and his team from Conservation Design Forum in Elmhurst.   It begins at 6:30 p.m. with snacks and networking, followed at 7:15 p.m. by the presentation and questions.  Learn more about the Conservation Design Forum on the web at: http://www.cdfinc.com/ .

This year, the DuPage Area Engineers Week is partnering with Chicago Architecture Today (http://www.chicagoarchitecturetoday.com/ ) in hosting the Midwest Creative Architecture Competition.  Entries will be on public display at the IIT Rice Campus from February 13 – March 1, including showing off the winners at the Engineers Week Expo on February 23.   The Midwest Creative Architecture Competition awards ceremony will be held at Rice Campus on March 1.  More contest details available online at: http://www.chicagoarchitecturetoday.com/contests.htm#table29 .

All Engineers Week events are free and open to the public, and will take place at Illinois Institute of Technology's Rice Campus at 201 East Loop Road in Wheaton.

Alumni Breakfast Registration:

Join us for a family IIT alumni event Saturday, February 23, 2008 at Illinois Institute of Technology's Rice Campus in Wheaton, IL.  Attendees will be treated to a series of alumni-only events from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and may then join the rest of the public for the Engineers Week Expo. More information and the alumni event schedule can be found here

If you are an IIT alumni and would like to register for the Alumni breakfast please visit this page and look at the bottom to register.