National Engineers Week Comes to Anne M. Dorner Middle School

Anne M. Dorner Middle School students will learn about careers in engineering and perform engineering tasks on Friday, March 6, when engineers from IBM Research visit the school as part of National Engineers Week.

More than 1,000 sixth, seventh and eighth grade students will work hand in hand with more than 20 visiting IBM engineers and perform hands-on projects that involve engineering tasks and thinking. Interested students will also participate in a mentoring session with engineers, where they will be able to ask questions about careers in research, engineering, and related college studies. “The students are always fascinated by this event,” said Assistant Principal Erica Naughton. “The exposure they get from interacting with IBM engineers dramatically impacts how they view the field.”

“Those who pursue math and science have fascinating and lucrative careers building and enhancing technology that we use every day,” said event organizer Dr. Alan Bivens, Senior Manager at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. “It is important for us to bring that message to students of all ages.”

This partnership with IBM and Mercy College is one of several Ossining Union Free School District initiatives to encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math from the earliest grades. In elementary school, students are using a program called Scratch that enables youngsters to program animations, simulations and other projects. In middle school, the district offers an after-school robotics program, and in the high school, students have the chance to participate in the high school robotics team and the district’s nationally recognized science research program.