Third and fourth graders at Putnam Valley Elementary School learned about the world of engineering on March 19 when IBM volunteers visited the school and engaged the students in hands-on science and engineering activities. The school visit was part of Engineers Week 2009.

Assisting the IBM volunteers were seven girls from the Putnam Valley Middle School who are part of the IBM MentorPlace program and attended the IBM DESTINY (Developing Exciting Science and Technology Interests iN Youth) Camp last summer. These eighth-grade girls have been working with their IBM mentors throughout the school year and one of their challenges is to share their excitement about math and science with younger students.

The Engineers Week activities focused on Newton’s Third Law of Motion “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Third graders had the challenge of constructing a tower out of straws and masking tape strong enough to hold a golf ball. Fourth graders learned about propulsion, thrust and gravity by building a balloon rocket with attached weights and observing how far it traveled up an extended length of string. It was a fun day for everyone.

Aiming to make engineering a stronger, more diverse profession, Engineers Week 2009 has a special focus on expanding diversity in the engineering field and in the workplace. It includes outreach and education efforts to encourage more women and other diverse groups to consider engineering careers. IBM is one of the lead corporate sponsors of Engineers Week 2009.