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I couldn't agree with Richard Mandel's editorial more! When engineering shows don't open doors to students, we shut out the young people who are our next generation of engineers. No school has the equipment that they can see at a design show. Here in New England, members of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) have had this same concern for many years. About four years back, we finally got the association to agree to a student event at EASTEC. A few weeks ago, SME members escorted about 400 students with their teachers and guidance counselors around the show, answered questions and showed them the latest technology. Lee Thibodeau at 413-525-7600 spearheaded this Student Summit. Perhaps he can be of assistance at NDES. -- Helen Angell, Mechanical Designer, TACO, Inc. Insurance Insanity - Part I Boy, did you hit the nail on the head! I agree 107%. (Previous statement 100% accurate ± 7%.) I experienced a similar situation at NDES a few years ago with my nephew who came all the way from Colorado to see the show. This kid (14 at the time and a senior in high school) will be one of the movers and shakers in the engineering world when he enters it -- no thanks to the show promoters. We were given the same line of @#$% about the insurance. I said I was willing to sign a waiver and take full responsibility, but was told that it would be a signature "under duress." I informed the man that he didn't know what he was talking about since I had a choice to sign or to not sign a waiver, therefore no duress. (Common sense falling on deaf ears.) When I asked to see a copy of the insurance rider that enforced prejudicial discrimination, they couldn't (or wouldn't) produce it. I was ticked! Right then, I called my attorney to get a restraining order to close the show and fight it out in court. He told me what it could eventually cost me. YIKES! With my tail between my legs, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry instead. Had a great day and a better meal. Bottom line, I agree with your solution and am willing to do or support your effort in any way that I can. I'm in Chicago and am willing to offer whatever local help is needed to ensure that the future of our country will be able to attend. I think if enough pressure is placed on NDES show management, we will have the waivers necessary to allow our "bright progeny" to follow in our footsteps. -- Keith J. Egging, via email Insurance Insanity - Part II Just read your May editorial. Right on! (That's a quaint old hippie saying.) As a former science teacher married to a science teacher, I wholeheartedly agree with your perception on the barring of kids from tradeshows. Within 50 miles of Highland High School in Ewing, MO, there are several manufacturing facilities with fascinating processes of metalforming, CAD machining, rotary casting and the like. But between the plants' insurance companies ("too much liability") and the school district's logic ("costs too much, can't have kids out of class, and -- oh yeah -- our insurance policy won't cover it"), it's almost impossible to get any classes out to see anything in the real world! As to what can we do about it, I think we need to simultaneously: (1) start leaning on insurance companies to not settle on ridiculous suits, thereby setting a precedent for the next idiot, and (2) start leaning on the legislature for common-sense tort reform. As the Bill of No Rights on the Internet reads, "If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you independently wealthy." -- J. David Lomax, Technical Services, Walter Louis Fluid Technologies (cont.) A Society of Whiners I completely agree with your May editorial. As an engineer, father of a 9-year-old boy and a scout leader, I see a world vastly different than the one in which I grew up. The lawyers have seen to that. We've grown into a society of whiners who believe if something bad happens to them, it must be someone else's fault. And they must deserve compensation for their misfortune. Ever wonder why engineers and other educated persons are usually not selected to sit on a jury? By the way, I do enjoy Designfax. Keep up the good work. -- Paul Pareti, NASA, via email The Bard Says "First, Kill the Lawyers" Tradeshows are better than classrooms and I agree that youth should be encouraged to attend them. But, just as Shakespeare said, it seems we will have to first kill the lawyers. While insurance may be a reason cited now for not allowing students in, I heard some exhibitors complain that the cost of the show was too prohibitive to allow non-potential customers on the floor. How else, though, will students learn about the jobs and careers out there? By the time they are 18, it may be too late to keep their attention. -- Bob Kozlowski, Readers: Share Your Thoughts Email comments to or write to: [dfx/incl/99dfx.htm] |
Opening Doors to the Future