UNCW Engineering Celebrates National Engineers Week

From nuclear energy and artificial intelligence to robotics and coastal resiliency, UNCW’s College of Science and Engineering will celebrate its first-ever National Engineers Week February 22–28 with a dynamic series of interactive, student-centered events.

The weeklong slate highlights UNCW Engineering’s applied, hands-on approach while strengthening partnerships with industry leaders and creating new entry points for students across Coastal Engineering, Intelligent Systems Engineering (ISE) and Software Engineering (SENG) programs. Events are designed to connect classroom learning with engineering careers and inspire the next generation of problem-solvers.

“Together, these events reflect UNCW’s commitment to applied learning, industry collaboration and community impact,” said Amy Reamer, coordinator of UNCW engineering programs. “By connecting students with professionals, emerging technologies and real-world challenges, National Engineers Week highlights how UNCW engineers are preparing to design solutions that strengthen our region and shape the future.”

Event Schedule:

Feb. 23 - Nuclear Energy Takeover in EGN 101: Introduction to Engineering

Engineers Week kicks off with an immersive nuclear energy experience led by partners from GE Vernova Hitachi and Global Laser Enrichment. Students will explore nuclear energy careers through interactive learning stations featuring VR demonstrations, Geiger counters and radiation dosage calculations. The session culminates with the American Nuclear Society’s “Critical Mass” experiment, where ping-pong balls model neutron chain reactions to show how nuclear fission is controlled.

Feb. 24 - AI in the Built Environment Lunch & Learn with Urban Land Institute Triangle

UNCW will host regional real estate professionals, developers and engineers for a lunchtime panel exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming planning, infrastructure and development. Coastal Engineering students will attend as sponsored participants, and professionals who complete the program will earn a UNCW professional development digital badge recognizing their applied AI learning.

Feb. 25 - Women in Engineering Luncheon & Panel

Hosted by the student chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, this panel features women engineers and technologists sharing insights from their career journeys. The event also welcomes educators from the Watson College of Education to highlight the important role teachers play in strengthening the STEM pipeline and inspiring future engineers.

Feb. 27 - ISE & SENG Showcase with Isaac Bear Early College High School

Engineering faculty and students will host visitors from Isaac Bear Early College High School for a hands-on showcase of Intelligent Systems Engineering and Software Engineering. Students will build "bristle bots" and race them through a challenging maze while networking with practicing engineers and college mentors. The showcase supports both outreach and recruitment while giving students an early look at engineering pathways at UNCW.

Contact Amy Reamer for more information.