Engineering Students' Society Representing Engineering Students at the University of Alberta

University of Alberta Engineering Competition

The University of Alberta Engineering Competition (UAEC for short) is an annual competition that is used as a qualifier for the Western Engineering Competition (WEC), and could eventually allow students to compete in the Canadian Engineering Competition (CEC). WEC is a four day competition, being held in Winnipeg this year, held for engineering students in Western Canada. Both competitions give students the chance to apply some of the skills they learn in the classroom. There are both design competitions and communication-based competitions.This year, UAEC is being held on Saturday, November 14th. Applications can be picked-up in the ESS office (ETCL E2-040H), and are due by 5pm on November 12th.

The competition categories are the following:

Jr Design: A team of up to four members will be challenged to solve a specific engineering problem solely with supplied materials. Teams will be given approximately four hours to construct and test their solution, as well as prepare a brief presentation for the judges. This competition is only open to first and second year students.

Sr Design: A team of up to four members will be required to research a certain field advance of the competition. At the event competitors will be presented with a complex design problem, and the team will have to design a solution with the supplied materials. This is targeted for students in the senior years of their programs (third, fourth and fifth year students.)

Consulting Engineering: Competitors are given four hours to device an innovative solution to a real-world problem prescribed by a hypothetical client. Each team is expected to assess the economic, environmental, and social impacts of their proposed solution. For UAEC this competition will be application based.

Innovative Design: Competitors will design an innovative and commercially viable solution to a problem of their own choosing. Market research and feasibility studies as well as a business proposal draft for their product are expected to be carried out. For UAEC this competition will have competitors present a project that they have previously worked on.

Engineering Communication: One or two members will identify a complex technological issue or process. At the competition, competitors will explain the issue or process in such a manner that the general public will be able to understand it. Competitors are expected to present both its societal and environmental impact, as well as the issue itself.

Impromptu Debate: As a team of two, competitors will debate another team on an issue of relevance to engineers. This competition challenges competitors to construct arguments quickly since only a few minutes will be given for preparation.

If you have any questions at all please feel free to swing by the ESS or e-mail vp.student.services@ess.ualberta.ca.

The Canadian Federation of Engineering Students’ Congress

Congress 2009, Ottawa

The Canadian Federation of Engineering Students (CFES) is the representative body for Engineering students across Canada. Each year they put on a conference (Congress) that brings students together to engage in conversation and the sharing of ideas. This year, Congress 2010 will be hosted by McMaster in Hamilton Ontario. It runs from Jan 2-8, 2010.

The ESS is looking to take a delegation of enthusiastic Engineering students that are interested in pursuing involvement in the ESS in the future.

The conference itself is epic. Congress brings together delegations (4-6 students) from every Engineering school across Canada. The week consists of sessions during the day that focus on learning skills that will make you a more well rounded engineer and also help you work with your ESS more effectively. Evening events focus more on relaxed interaction between schools to help the sharing of ideas. The last 2 days of the conference are plenary, the annual general meeting for the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students.  This is where motions are passed to ensure that the federation is fulfilling its obligations to the Canadian student body. Also, there is usually an industry presence at the opening and closing banquet as well as a career fair.

Overall, Congress is a great place to meet engineers from across Canada, network and even get to know some Engineering students from the U of A a little better. Applications are available in the ESS office and are due Nov 2nd. If you have any questions, email Claire at vp.external@ess.ualberta.ca.

Annual WESST Retreat Signup

The annual WESST (Western Engineering Student Societies' Team) retreat is coming up soon!

WESST Retreat is a time when members of 10 Engineering schools across Canada get together somewhere in the mountains and meet people, eat lots, hold workshops and throw wild parties. The costs are minimal for participants as the ESS covers most of them.

WESST Retreat is happening this year on the weekend of October 22 - 25, 2009.

Pick up your application forms right now in the ESS office (due back by October 5th) or email our VP External with questions.

More information can be found at our WESST page or at the WESST website.

Country Crusade XXV Tickets

It's time to start gearing up (pun intended) for one of the biggest parties of the semester!

Country Crusade happens every single semester and goes like this:

• You buy tickets for you and your friends
• You show up one night and get on a bus
• We drive you to some random country bar in a small down, and
• We all drink the town dry!

Country Crusade will be happening this semester on Friday, October 16, 2009!

Tickets go on sale Monday, October 5 at 1:00pm sharp in the ETLC Atrium. ($10 each, max of 4 per person)

For more information, check out our Country Crusade page.