Engineering Bash returns in Waimea to celebrate past, present and future innovators

After a 5-year hiatus, the Engineering Bash in Waimea will recognize the amazing accomplishments of engineers, technicians and technologists while introducing Big Island youth to the dynamic field of engineering and technology.

Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library is putting on the bash from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 22 to commemorate National Engineers Week, which is from Feb. 16-22 this year.

The annual weeklong national celebration of engineers and engineering is observed in conjunction with the Feb. 22 birthday of President George Washington, who is considered the nation’s first engineer.

This year’s theme is “Design Your Future,” a call to action and a celebration of the limitless possibilities in engineering, is centered on dreaming boldly, innovating relentlessly and creating a future shaped by collective ingenuity.

The Engineering Bash is free and will feature some of the island’s most talented students, professional engineers, and community experts that will be available to answer questions. There will also be mind-bending indoor and outdoor activities, demonstrations, and displays, which include:

• 3-D printing.
• circuits and electrical safety.
• mini robot building.
• magnets and magnetic fields.
• rockets.
• fire engine operations and equipment.
• solar viewing.
• homopolar motors.
• Touch-A-Truck.

There will be face-painting and balloon sculptures, and Kaleo the Pueo will make a special appearance with the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO).

“Engineers Week is a great time to celebrate how engineers make a difference in our community, and in our world,” said Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library Branch Manager Ashley Spencer. “We are grateful to all of our community partners for helping us spotlight the innovative contributions of engineers to our lives.”

The Engineering Bash is a free, family-friendly event from NASA@My Library, an initiative to engage public audiences nationwide in informal and lifelong learning with the excitement of NASA exploration and discovery.

Call Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library at 808-887-6067 for additional information.