"Our engineers create innovative solutions to complex problems, redefining what is possible."
– Chris Brady, Vice President of Engineering
At General Dynamics Mission Systems, we are proud to celebrate the people who are making a difference by designing cutting-edge technology – our engineers.
That's why we always take time to stop and honor them in February during National Engineers Week, an annual recognition started in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Much of our daily experience is the result of engineering: the structures we live in, the machines that make our clothes, the irrigation for our food, the cars we drive, the roads we drive on, the cell phones and TVs we gaze at. Our engineering team takes on our customers toughest missions and applies science, math, physics and design to transform how these missions are executed, said Chris Brady, Vice President of Engineering. "The cumulative expertise and perspective that engineers have brought to our company over the years have made General Dynamics Mission Systems what it is today.”
Well be celebrating National Engineers Week, also known as EWeek, which kicks off on February 21, with a series of employee appreciation events planned at facilities across the nation. But, EWeek is more than just a chance to celebrate engineering. For General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) employees, it also represents a chance to give back to the community.
Inspiring The Next Generation Of Engineers
Having a contingent of qualified engineers requires robust educational resources that prepare technology students for the engineering workforce. That's why a central theme of EWeek is to recognize the importance of engineering and technology education. That's also why a number of employees from across the country will be going out into the community during EWeek and beyond to promote STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education through community engagement.
Whether its visiting a classroom or helping students with a complex assignment, our employees help inspire the next generation of engineers to study hard and dream big. GDMS Employees have taken the initiative to propose larger-scale STEAM education projects for formal support by the company. As a result, this year General Dynamics Mission Systems will be providing funding for a number of high-profile science programs nationwide.
General Dynamics Engineers teach 7th grade students about elastic potential energy by building airplanes propelled by rubber bands. (Photo Credit: General Dynamics)
For example, this February, we are carrying on a decade-long tradition of providing regional funding and judging support for the North Carolina Science Olympiad.
"It's a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving the quality of science and technology education in all North Carolina middle and high schools," said David Macchiarolo, who works at our McLeansville facility in North Carolina and also serves as the President of the statewide Board of Directors for the North Carolina Science Olympiad. "The student teams participate in regional tournaments, including the one in our community, which we support. Following that, the teams participate in a statewide tournament in April, and the state winners go on to the National tournament, which this year is hosted by the University of Wisconsin. Our company has a vested interest in promoting excellence in pre-college science and technology education, as these students are our future employees."
“Our company has a vested interest in promoting excellence in pre-college science and technology education, as these students are our future employees."
– David Macchiarolo, General Dynamics Mission Systems
More than 8,000 students participate in the tournament each year, making it the third-largest Science Olympiad in the nation.
GDMS employees are also supporting more than 40 other educational projects across the country. These projects include helping the Robotics/ROV Club at STEM Academy and the Environmental Sciences/Ecology Club at Sandwich High School in Massachusetts to conduct environmental studies, working with fifth-grade students in Richardson, Texas on a Marble Run Challenge, and supporting a Rocketry Challenge in Scottsdale, Arizona.
General Dynamics Employees volunteered at the 2016 MathCounts regional competition which promotes the importance of mathematics to middle school students. (Photo Credit: General Dynamics)
Promoting Diversity In Engineering
Aside from promoting education, we are also committed to promoting diversity in the engineering workforce. We are proud to announce that two of our talented engineers, John James III and Nee Taylor, have each received an award at the 2016 Black Engineer of the Year conference for shaping the future of engineering, science and technology. Additionally, General Dynamics was recognized by Woman Engineer Magazine as one of the top 50 companies in the country where women engineers believe they would find a positive working environment and would most want to work.
We are also proud of our ongoing partnership with the Society of Women Engineers in Bloomington, Minnesota to host its annual Spark, Slime and Speed workshop. As part of the workshop, GDMS helps to introduce engineering to over 600 elementary and middle-school children each year.
At General Dynamics Mission Systems, we believe that our people are our most important asset. We would like to thank all of our engineers for their accomplishments and giving back to their communities. You are inspiring the next generation of engineers to push the boundaries of innovation even further.
