There are many programs available to introduce children to the world of engineering. Listed below are examples of programs that children could get involved in to introduce them to the fundamentals of engineering:

• Building Big is ASCE's educational outreach program for middle school-aged kids. A companion program to an award winning PBS television mini-series that examines bridges, domes, skyscrapers, tunnels and dams, this program's fun, hands-on activities gets kids thinking about structures they see everyday, while introducing fundamental engineering concepts. This program also allows educators to utilize a resource that is so valuable, yet underrepresented in classrooms: practicing professionals who bring theories and skills into reality with concrete examples of their use in the world (for more information, visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig).
  
• Zoom into Engineering served as the model program for the 2002 National Engineers Week legacy project, ZOOM into Engineering (ZIE). ZIE, also developed in partnership with WGBH Boston, provides similar hands-on activities geared toward grades K-5. The addition of the ZIE program complements the Building Big program by focusing on the basic science, math and engineering skills needed to build a firm engineering education (for more information, visit: http://www.asce.org/150/zoom.html).
  
• Engineering Explorers is a program based out of Harrisburg, PA that introduces local high school kids to the fundamentals of engineering. The program involves field trips centered around an engineering theme, engineering related presentations are given and hands-on activities are performed. If you would like more information, please contact Andrew Ottinger at Gannett Fleming, 717-763-7211, Extension 2685, aottinger@gfnet.com.
  
• West Point Bridge Design Contest: ASCE sponsors the annual West Point Bridge Design Contest (WPBDC). The contest is a realistic, Internet based, hands-on competition for middle and high school students, designed to develop excitement and interest in engineering activities. This contest is specifically aimed at promoting math, science, and technology education in US middle and secondary schools. Contest participants must be at least 13 years old at the time of registration and must be enrolled in middle school or high school in the US. The qualifying round of the contest runs from January 11 to April 10, 2003. The contest is free. For more information on this exciting contest and to download the bridge design software go to http://bridgecontest.usma.edu.