Local engineer Mike Bakst has a burning passion -he wants to see an increase in the number of young people from the Coast pursuing a career in trades and technology. To that end he spearheaded a Sunshine Coast Trade and Technology Award at BCIT.
To his surprise it took four years for the first student to apply for the $1,600 scholarship. But he hopes recent and coming events on the Coast will soon put the award at the top of deserving students' and their parents' minds.
Last March, for the first time locally, a Popsicle bridge building contest was held in Sechelt. Sponsored by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC, local members of the organization were overwhelmed by the turnout as more than 70 participants plus their supporters came out for the inaugural event.
Bakst, who joked that engineering is not just in his blood, but in his bones, finds the interest in math and science on the Coast gratifying.
"People are hungry for these kinds of events [science in nature]," Bakst explained to his colleagues on the North Shore who were amazed at the response to the contest.
It's easy for young people who live in big cities to get the exposure to all matters scientific, but not so in many small towns. By hosting events such as the Popsicle contest, would-be engineers everywhere have the opportunity to put their budding knowledge to work.
The contest obviously tackled a need in the community, Bakst said. He was moved almost to tears by the support of the business community.
"Gibsons Building Supplies, Swansons Ready-Mix, Claytons Heritage Market, Subway and Starbucks were just some of the local companies that helped," he said.
What's up for March 2012? There will be new categories to challenge some of the more advanced students and several interesting presentations from leading educators in our province.
Included in the present plans is a workshop given by engineers from Buckland and Taylor Ltd. of North Vancouver. Both Simon Fraser and the University of B.C. will provide speakers on subjects as diverse as the history of outstanding technical inventions, women in science and technology and outstanding bridges - ancient to modern times. Bakst hopes to provide enough content to spread the event over two days.
The Town of Gibsons and District of Sechelt have each granted $500 towards the program. The engineers estimate that another $3,100 is needed to make the two days a reality.
Along with the steering committee of Martin Bruecker, Scott Tilley and Bakst, 15 enthusiastic volunteers are working hard to make a Festival of Science and Technology happen on the Coast.
If you would like to help with this initiative, email Bakst at [email protected]. In the meantime, if you have a teen interested in trades or technology, encourage them to go to BCIT's website (bcit.ca) and research the awards available to Sunshine Coast students.
