Technology education spotlighted during Purdue Tech Week 2011
Purdue mechanical engineering technology professor Mark French (at right) assists a high school student in a Think Tech! workshop during Technology Week 2010. (Purdue College of Technology file photo)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University College of Technology will celebrate its annual Technology Week April 9-15.
Using the theme, "We are Technology Makers," the college will showcase how its faculty, students and alumni are impacting society.
Purdue's College of Technology operates in 11 Indiana communities, from the Ohio River to Lake Michigan, offering degree programs with the same curriculum as programs at West Lafayette's main campus.
"Providing convenient access to cutting-edge technology and world-class education for millions of Hoosiers makes the College of Technology a powerful workforce development tool," said Dean Dennis Depew.
Featured Technology Week events include the Dean's Lecture delivered by Frank Gladstone, former head of Dreamworks' recruitment and artistic development, who will address the question, "Has Technology Made Movies Better?" As part of the Dean's Lecture, the college is conducting a university-wide computer animation contest. Student submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges, including Gladstone. The top three will be screened at the 6 p.m. lecture on April 13 at Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. Free tickets are available at all Hall of Music box offices or by calling 765-494-3933. Audience members can vote on the People's Choice Award.
Teenagers are encouraged to attend Think Tech!, a three-day series of hands-on workshops that demonstrate how technology is used in everyday practical solutions such as aviation, renewable energies, computer animation and laser-based advanced manufacturing. The program's focus is to show participants how to think outside the box when they hear the word "technology."
"These classes are perfect for young people who enjoy discovering how things work, hands-on experiences, solving problems, working as part of a team or trying new technologies," said Vanessa Buntin, the college's manager of special events.
The registration deadline is April 4 for the sessions that run from 6 - 8 p.m. on April 11, 12 and 14.
Other Technology Week events include a Senior Picnic and Student Leadership Awards reception on April 11, the Undergraduate Research and Poster Symposium on April 12, and the Distinguished Technology Alumni dinner and awards ceremony on April 15. For more information, visit https://www.tech.purdue.edu/techweek/
Writer: Jim Schenke, 765-494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu
Sources: Vanessa Buntin, 765-494-0486, vpuckett@purdueedu email
Dennis Depew, 765-494-2552, ddepew@purdue.edu