The Exciting Field of Engineering

The field of engineering is growing right along with technology. Careers in engineering include designing, planning, and building new things. For example, architectural engineers design, plan, and construct buildings and other structures. Engineering can also be applied to mechanics, medicine, chemistry, and transportation. Another way to think of engineering is that it has to do with products, machines, systems, or structures. In other words, almost everything in our world relies on engineering at some level.

Engineers are curious about how and why things work. An engineer will receive special training in a specific aspect of engineering. Often, things have more than one type of system, or aspect of design. For example, designing and building a computer requires electrical engineers for the wiring and circuitry. Someone has to design and create the hardware. This includes the keyboard, screen, and case that hold the electronic components. Software engineers contribute an operating system and programs that make the computer perform the desired functions.

Regardless of the end product, engineers follow a process that is sometimes called research and development. People want something that will perform a certain way or complete a specific task. Often, when something new is being created or built, a problem will be identified. Engineers need to assess the problem and find a way to solve it. Once the end result has been identified, engineers think about a design that might meet the requirements. Then they consider the available resources. Brainstorming possible solutions is part of the process, with ideas sketched and developed. The feasibility of each idea must be considered, as well as the advantages and disadvantages. Which idea seems most likely to accomplish the end result? Engineers then build a model or prototype. This helps them envision how the final product will perform. At this stage, it’s easier to test the outcome and make changes as needed.

Every time you modify a bicycle, change a character in an interactive game, or build a ramp for a skateboard, you’re using engineering principles!