This second edition for February 2022 explores the science, technology, and engineering events occurring during the month. There are eleven.
I ended up with many women in the event pictures. That wasn't intentional, gentlemen. The images are created separately from this newsletter.
The social sciences kick us off with:
1) World Anthropology Day, February 17.
Champion: The American Anthropological Association
World Anthropology Day explores the 250,000-year history of the movement of people worldwide through migration, immigration, and emigration. Anthropology is the study of what makes people human. This includes exploring various aspects of the human experience, including how we live (archaeology), genetics (biological anthropology), our cultures (cultural anthropology), and methods of communication (linguistic anthropology). Each field of study tells the story of our history on this planet, how we grow, what moves us, and, ultimately, where we are headed. This event first ran in 2015.
2) International Day of Science for Women & Girls in Science: February 11
Champion: UNESCO
International Day of Science for Women & Girls was first celebrated in 2016. The day seeks to encourage more women and girls to enter study and careers in the sciences. Currently, less than 30% of professionals worldwide in these fields are women.
In Astronomy, the United Kingdom celebrates its night skies in its annual...
3) York Dark Skies Festival (UK): February 4-27
Champion: Dark Skies National Parks
Stargazing, wildlife watching, and ghost walks are some of the activities available during the United Kingdom's Dark Skies Festival in Yorkshire, England. It's a chance to appreciate the beauty of nature at night (and see the Northern Lights).
4) National Invasive Species Week: February 28 - March 4
Champion: Reduce Risks from Invasive Species Coalition
National Invasive Species Week is one of two annual awareness weeks focusing on outreach and education. Invasive species can be plant, animal, or insect-based. When they land in an area, they can devastate an entire ecosystem, destroying food, habitats, crops, and livestock.
5) National Career & Technical Education Month: February 1-28
Champion: Association for Career and Technical Education
Career and Technical Education Month is focused on education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers in the technology industries. These industries include the sciences, electronics, engineering, biotech, robotics, health, and computer sciences.
6) Digital Learning Day: February 22
Champion: Alliance for Excellent Education
This day is about ensuring every child has access to the tools they need to learn in a digital world, whether tablets, desktops, or laptops. As more and more classes go online and communication advancements in technology allow us to communicate in real-time, digital learning will grow in importance. After COVID-19, that is an understatement!
7) National Engineers Week: February 20-26
Champion: DiscoverE Coalition
Engineers Week was created in 1951 and seeks to introduce youth to exciting and well-paying careers in engineering, including civil, mechanical, electrical, agricultural, chemical, computer, aeronautical, biological, architectural, and ventilation. Each day this week has a different focus. Though technically national to the United States, this week is increasingly observed on a global scale.
The key objectives of this week include the following:
1. Celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world.
2. Increase public dialogue about the need for engineers.
3. Bring engineering to life for kids, educators, and parents.
Check with local science and technology museums and universities in your area for events planned in your city.
8) Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day: February 24
Champion: DiscoverE Coalition
One day of National Engineers Week each year is dedicated to getting young women and girls interested in engineering. Dubbed ‘Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day,’ companies and institutions involved in the various branches of engineering provide education and hands-on opportunities. Check with your local science and technology museums, universities, and educational venues to find events in your area.
9) Discover Engineering Family Day: February 27
Champion: DiscoverE Coalition
Discover Engineering Family Day is one of several events during Engineers Week. Family Day is designed to help students between the ages of 4 and 12 learn about engineering and the importance of technological literacy.
Students are introduced to the many branches of engineering via hands-on and mind-challenging activities presented by professionals in a fun, engaging atmosphere. Check with local science and technology museums in your area to see what events are planned for your city.
10) International Safer Internet Day: February 8
Champions: Insafe, The European Union
Safer Internet Day (SID) aims to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones within the European Union. In 2018 this event went worldwide. The European Union co-funds this event, and the target market is teachers and K-12 children. Resources are available in a variety of languages.
11) Clean Out Your Computer Day: February 14
Champion: Created by the Institute for Business Technology. Currently Unsponsored.
Today is set aside each year to remove duplicate files and information you no longer use from your computer. It's an excellent day to defrag your system if you use a PC. There is no set sponsor for this event, though several programs can help eliminate duplicate files and clean out your system's catches for free. Just search. You'll be surprised how much faster your computer runs without all that junk! This event first ran in 2000.
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You're up-to-date on February's science, technology, and engineering events. My next issue will be in mid-February.