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Kansas Professional Engineer eNews

March 2009, Issue 2

In this Issue:

• KSPE is Built to Last

• President's Message

• Legislative Task Force Considers Engineering Shortage

• Transportation Plans Introduced in Statehouse

• 2009 MATHCOUNTS a Success in Salina

• NSPE Offers Four Free PDHs and Other New Member Benefits

• NSPE's Engineering Income and Salary Survey

• The Million Hour Volunteer Promotion

• Want to Rebuild the Economy? Ask an Engineer

• Mark Your Calendar

KSPE is Built to last 

By Ron Gaches

Traveling with KSPE President Tom Roberts this past year has been an eye-opening experience.  I learned that not many folks stay as busy as Tom working on their immediate assignments and also keep their mind open to the ever-changing influences that are impacting the long-term future of engineering.  Tom doesn’t just think about the future, he is actively shaping it by constantly communicating to others what’s going on outside of their everyday view.

At recent meetings Tom has described the impacts of the global economy captured in “Hot, Flat and Crowded,” engaged members in serious discussions about the recommended requirements for professional licensure, and encouraged educators and engineers to “Change the Conversation” about what it takes to become a successful engineering student and engineer.

In our private conversations he has been even more far-reaching, urging consideration of new rules for licensure of engineering faculty and questioning whether we could ever revisit the wide-open “industry” exemption to licensure.  At the same time, Tom has been focused on the immediate needs of your Society, ensuring that we completed our efforts to create a state-only membership option and working with chapter leaders to improve their local programs. 

Tom’s dedication to KSPE and the engineering profession isn’t unique among KSPE leaders.  Last year, Chris Price juggled new, multi-state responsibilities with HNTB as he served as KSPE president, and next year’s president Doug Danaher has already set his schedule with Wilson Company to accommodate the demanding requirements of service to KSPE.

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

by Thomas Roberts, P.E.

Colleagues;

Your KSPE Executive Committee and Board of Directors continues to be focused on:

• Increasing the impact on the Kansas Legislature and public policy,

• Clarifying/aligning the KSPE message and more clearly communicate that message to current & potential members, the Kansas     Legislature, and the general public, and,

• Providing for the sustainable growth of KSPE membership and revenues.

Quoting the 2008 National Academy of Engineering study Changing the Conversation:  “No profession unleashes the spirit of innovation like engineering.  From research to real-world applications, engineers constantly discover how to improve our lives by creating bold new solutions that connect science to life …  We are counting on engineers and their imaginations to help us meet the needs of the 21^st century.” 

From the President of the United States to the Kansas Senate, the message is clear:  (1) There is a critical need for engineers, and, (2) the value that engineers bring to the national economy is of great consequence.

KSPE is an essential player in helping define the economic future of our global economy.  The Deans of Engineering at K-State, KU, & WSU are working to increase the number of engineering graduates in Kansas by 50%.  Volunteers like Don Taylor, P.E., Westar, Topeka and Amy Houghton, P.E., BWR, Salina, recently finished a successful state-wide MATHCOUNTS competition in Salina.  Adam Stodola, P.E. & the Eastern Chapter are preparing an outstanding program for our annual conference June 10 – 12.  Keith Beatty, P.E., TransSystems, Wichita is working with Freddie Simmons, P.E., KDOT for our Spring professional development conference on “Accelerating Project Delivery.” 

We need our members-at-large to help us change the conversation!

1)   We need you to encourage K-12 students to enter the profession of engineering using messages that reduce the emphasis on the need for math and focus on the importance of our profession:

            *  “Engineers are creative problem-solvers”

            *  “Engineers make a world of difference”

            *  “Engineers help shape the future”

            *  “Engineering is essential to our health, happiness and safety.” 

2)  We need you to recruit new members:  Please go the URL www.kansasengineer.org, print off the forms, and invite a new member to join KSPE! There will be recognition of those chapters who “get the job done” and a celebration of our 12% growth (65 new members) at the June conference!

Tom Roberts, P.E.

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Legislative Task Force Considers engineering shortage

By Ron Gaches

There have been two meetings of the Engineering Success for the Future of Kansas Task Force since its formation in early March by Senate President Steve Morris and House Speaker Mike O’Neal.  Formation of the Task Force reflects the growing understanding by key legislators that the supply of engineers is a critical issue to the future success and expansion of the Kansas economy.  All three Kansas Engineering Deans have been active participants at the sessions and KSPE and ACEC are closely monitoring the meetings and conducting one-on-one sessions with Task Force members. 

The Deans have crafted a very reasonable request for enhanced funding of their colleges with a goal of increasing graduation capacity by 50% over the next five years.  Due to the current budget problems, it remains uncertain whether the modest 1^st year request of $400,000 will be budgeted for FY 2010.  Those funds are requested to educate teachers and counselors about the opportunities for engineering careers and encourage enrollment in Kansas’ engineering colleges.  Subsequent funding requests are for $5 million additional in the second year, $10 million in the third year, and $15 million in the fourth and subsequent years.  Funding will be used to hire additional teaching faculty and expand classroom facilities to accommodate the required influx of engineering students.

Legislators named to the Engineering Success for the Future of Kansas Task Force include:

Senator Peter Brungardt (R-Salina), Co-Chairman
Representative Terrie Huntington, (R-Fairway), Co-Chairman
Senator Bob Marshall (R-Fort Scott)
Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau (D-Wichita)
Senator Roger Reitz (R-Manhattan)
Representative Forrest Knox (R-Altoona)
Representative John Grange (R-ElDorado)
Representative Milack Talia (D-Merriam)

If your you are represented by a Task Force member, please contact them during the April legislative break (April 4^th to April 29^th) and ask them to support the first-year funding request of our Engineering Deans.

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Transportation Plans Introduced in statehouse

The following article is reprinted from the recent ACEC-Kansas Legislative Report by Scott Heidner

Big news at the Capitol this week……each chamber introduced a version of the next Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP).  It was beginning to look like the entire 2009 session might pass by without a proposal from either chamber, but House Bill 2382 and SB 323 laid out proposals and were rushed into hearings. 

SB 323 proposes another ten year plan for FY 2010-19 with total funding of $17.667 billion.  This funding is generated using existing revenue streams, plus phasing in new revenue from increases in gas tax, vehicle registration fees, sales tax, and transferring existing funding streams to transportation.  HB 2382 contains no new funding of any kind.  It builds a much smaller program on existing revenue streams.

Here is how the dynamics have played out so far:

On the Senate side, the Transportation Committee held several days of hearings.  There seems to be some genuine enthusiasm for this program, but the Chairman said in committee that he thinks there is insufficient time remaining this session to pass a bill of this impact.  The good news on the Senate side is that they are willing to raise a meaningful amount of new money; the bad news is that they don’t appear willing to do so in the 2009 session.

On the House side, the Transportation Committee had one day of hearings and immediately passed their bill out favorably without a single dissenting vote.  The good news is that a bill has passed; the bad news is that it provides zero new revenue. 

There were a couple of interesting notes in discussion on both bills.  The State Chamber, which has always been a stalwart supporter of transportation programs (including the new funding streams needed to complete them), testified in support of the House bill with no new money, but they are opposed to the Senate bill because it increases taxes and fees.  Their testimony included comments about the current excellent state of Kansas infrastructure.  They did not say that Kansas has no need for improvements in that infrastructure, but it certainly lends support to the arguments of those who say Kansas can wait a while before another serious investment is made in state transportation.  The Chamber will vocally back the House bill, but their lack of support (or worse yet, possible opposition) for the Senate bill with new revenues will be very damaging to efforts to pass the bill. 

The House will have HB 2382 before them when they return next week.  It is not yet known when, or even if, they’ll take up consideration of that bill.  SB 323 is likely not coming out of committee this year.  However, through any one of various legislative tactics, a bill on the transportation plan could still wind up in a conference committee this session. 

(Editor’s Note – The week passed without any action on a Transportation Plan by either house. KSPE does expect consideration by the Legislature prior to the end of the session.  Please contact your Senator and Representative during the April break and encourage their support for a new Comprehensive Transportation Plan.)

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2009 MathcountS a success in salina

By Amy Houghton

The 26^th Annual Kansas Society of Professional Engineers State Mathcounts Competition was held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Center Gym in Salina, Kansas.  Eighty-seven students (teams and individuals) and seventeen teams statewide competed in a timed mathematics competition that emphasizes both individual and team skills.  Volunteers from the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers administered, proctored, and scored the competition.   

The top finishing teams were:

 1^st Place:   Overland Trail Middle School, Overland Park, KS

                  Coach:  Wei Chen

                  Team:  Karthik Chellamuthu, Adeesh Jain, Neeraj Koduri, Michael Zhou

2^nd Place:  Lakewood Middle School, Overland Park, KS

                  Coach:  Teri Adam

                  Team:  Chris Birzer, Charles Lin, Shyam Narayanan, Tiffany Wu 

3^rd Place:    Oxford Middle School, Overland Park, KS

                  Coach:  Judith Lacey

                  Team:  Kevin Cao, Jack Chen, Jason Cocjin, Grant Sander

The top six finishing individuals were:

1^st Place:  Shyam Narayanan (Lakewood Middle School in Overland Park, KS)

2^nd Place:  Kevin Cao (Oxford Middle School in Overland Park, KS)

3^rd Place:  Michael Zhou (Overland Trail Middle School in Overland Park, KS)

4^th Place:  Jack Chen (Oxford Middle School in Overland Park, KS)

5^th Place:  Karthik Chellamuthu (Overland Trail Middle School in Overland Park, KS)

6^th Place:  Josh Greene (Topeka Collegiate in Topeka, KS)

The top four individuals and the coach of the first place team will advance as a team to represent Kansas at the Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition at Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida on May 7th through the 10th, 2009. 

The top four individuals were awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the Kansas State University College of Engineering.  5^th and 6^th Place individuals were awarded a $500 scholarship by the Kansas State University College of Engineering. 

MATHCOUNTS is a national mathematics enrichment, coaching, and competition program that increases enthusiasm for and enhances achievement in middle schools throughout the United States.  Founding Sponsors of MATHCOUNTS are: 

1. Raytheon Company
2. Northrop Grumman Foundation
3. National Society of Professional Engineers
4. CNA Foundation
5. ConocoPhillips
6. General Motors Foundation
7. Lockheed Martin
8. 3M Foundation
9. Texas Instruments Incorporated

The Mathcounts program in Kansas is made possible by the Engineers’ Foundation of Kansas.  Support for this competition is provided by The Kansas Society of Professional Engineers.  Additional support was provided by the Kansas Highway Patrol, PepsiCo, and Kansas State University.  For additional information regarding the competition, contact the State of Kansas Mathcounts Coordinator:  Amy Houghton, PE, LEED AP with Bucher, Willis and Ratiliff Corporation in Salina, Kansas, ahoughton@bwrcorp.com.

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NSPE offers four free pdh's and other new member benefits

Now, being an NSPE member has even more benefits. NSPE launched a new approach to an old member benefit; the comprehensive results of the NSPE Engineering Income and Salary Survey are now available for free to members who participate in the survey—a value of up to $600. Please see the accompanying article on NSPE’s Engineering Income and Salary. This new benefit has become very popular with NSPE members.  In February alone, over 1,000 members have completed the survey.

NSPE has now begun to introduce another new member benefit: Four Free PDHs. NSPE says that they’ve chosen to launch the program with four current and very popular ethics courses. The typical retail price for these four PDHs is approximately $600.

All NSPE members can now earn four free professional development hours by taking four online seminars on ethics topics. These new courses are easily accessible continuing education credits and provide members with significant savings.

 The courses that are being offered include:

• Engineering Ethics and the Law: Contract Documents and Procurement of Engineering Services (ONL-009)
• Engineering Ethics and the Law: Contract Documents, Intellectual Property & Professional Liability (ONL-012)
• Engineering Ethics and the Law: The PE as an Expert Witness (ONL-013)
• Ethical Engineering and Fair Trade: Conflicting Interests (ONL-018)

To obtain access to these courses, please visit: www.nspe.org/Education/WebSeminars/index.html

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NSPE's engineering income and salary survey

The National Society of Professional Engineers is calling for all NSPE members to fill out their NSPE Engineering Income and Salary Survey. This survey has been conducted since 1952 and provides a comprehensive look at what engineers across the country are being paid. NSPE members who participate in this survey, will receive free, unlimited access to complete survey data.

Information in this survey includes:

• If your most recent salary increase matches the median increase nationwide.

• The highest-paying—and lowest-paying—engineering locations in the country.

• What companies are paying first-year engineers around the country.

• Whether your current salary measures up to the value of your experience.

This NSPE survey is continuously updated and provides income information based on a wide range of factors including participant: education level, years of experience, geographic location, gender, practice specialty, and many other variables. The information contained in the survey is unbiased and fits a broad population of engineers. If you participate in the survey, you can create customized reports based on criteria you select, as well as access the most frequently requested reports, trend analysis, and benefits information. Please be sure to participate today to ensure your organization is providing equitable pay for its engineers.

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the Million hour volunteer promotion

Each and every day, engineers around the world volunteer an unforeseen amount of hours by reaching out to future engineers across the country. Engineers donate their time, energy, money, and effort to help develop the engineering profession into something of which they can be proud. The organizers of National Engineers Week want these selfless actions to be brought to light. At the national level, the state level, and the local level, we all want the world to recognize the collective strength of these efforts. Both NSPE and KSPE would like to challenge its engineers to not only contribute to outreach activities, but log their volunteer hours on NSPE’s newly designed Web site. What’s the goal, you may ask? To reach one million hours of outreach in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

What counts as outreach?

• Visiting a classroom;
• Participating in an extracurricular or community activity;
• Hosting a Design Squad event;
• Introducing a Girl to Engineering;
• Helping out with National Family Day;
• Coaching a Future City Competition Team
• Attending or presenting at a Career Fair; or
• Volunteering with organizations such as MATHCOUNTS, JETS,
• Support robotics competitions, or any design or engineering-related competition; or
• Many, many other activities

As a profession, let's join our efforts and show the world and the engineering community our collective strength in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public AND encourage future generations by showing how exciting, and sometimes amazing, engineering can be!

Sign up and make your hours count! Visit NSPE’s website at: http://millionhours.djangodomain.com/ to find out more about this philanthropic goal!

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Want to rebuild the economy? ask an engineer

By U.S. Senator Edward E. Kaufman

America’s economy is in crisis.  We can either drown under the weight of the problem, or we can surf the wave of opportunity that it brings - to put science, engineering and innovation back in their rightful place in our economy.  If every cloud has a silver lining, the financial crisis may benefit America if we respond by taking steps to once again lead the world by innovating new industries, businesses and products. 

As the only Senator holding an engineering degree, I remember when engineering ranked far ahead of business administration as the premier college degree for those who had ambition and the determination to succeed.  After the Soviet Union’s 1957 surprise launch of Sputnik 1, American leaders spurred the nation to catch up and improve our commitment to science. The Sputnik crisis led to the creation of NASA and other government research agencies, as well as an increase in U.S. government spending on scientific research and higher education. I was one of the young students who were drawn by “Sputnik” and our leaders’ call to seek an engineering degree.

More recently, an inordinately large percentage of America’s best and brightest college students opted instead to take their “quant” skills in math and analysis to Wall Street.  During the go-go years on Wall Street, America’s engineering and innovation class declined. And it wasn’t just that engineers were choosing finance over traditional engineering careers; fewer students were choosing to study engineering, period.  Back in 1986, engineering and engineering technology students earned close to 10 percent of U.S. bachelor’s degrees. Despite attractive starting salaries, often above $50,000 a year, the percentage today is only about 5 percent. Only about 121,000 people earned degrees in engineering in 2007 – and that includes bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees.

Today’s financial system meltdown gives our young people a new opportunity to take a hard look at where they want to spend their lives. And it gives America’s political and education leaders the opportunity to ensure that our educational pipeline is producing students skilled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 80 percent of the new jobs created in the next 10 years will require these critical “STEM” skills. While America must remain a leader in finance, it’s clear we need a renewed dedication to leadership in engineering breakthroughs in energy, biotech, biomed and other many other technically based industries.

Here is what we should do right away: 

• Find more and better ways to marry public policy and engineering. Many universities have begun to do this, but we also must act on the government level.  Beyond the current economic situation, our nation, and indeed the world, is facing a potential crisis in the supply and demand for clean energy and water. How these issues are resolved will define our children’s future. These problems require technical solutions, designed by scientists and engineers who also have a basic understanding of cultures, religions, and policy.

• Develop programs that allow students to “make a difference.” Create an engineering jobs corps – similar to the Peace Corps or Teach for America – to help channel the young talent emerging from our engineering schools.  The fields of bio-tech and bio-med, energy and environment should attract socially conscious students who want to improve the quality of life.

• Prior to graduating, engineering students typically must write a final paper addressing a problem to solve.  Let’s publish those papers and make them available to government and to the business community, with authors’ rights kept secure.

• Reach out to women and others who have traditionally been under-represented in engineering. The United States cannot maintain its position as a technological leader nor can we solve the problems we face without the perspectives and participation of all members of our society. 

When I went to college I wanted to be an engineer, in part because 52 years ago the United States was supporting science and engineering on an unprecedented level. America’s competitive spirit helped us meet the challenges of those times.  Thousands of innovations created myriad new opportunities for growth and development.   

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Mark Your Calendar

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