Engineers Week 2010: Who says learning can’t be fun?

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (February 08, 2010) - The fusion of fun, flying and education takes place this week as Rockwell Collins kicks off its annual celebration of Engineers Week (EWeek) on Saturday, Feb. 13, by sponsoring a free admission day at the Iowa Children's Museum (www.theicm.org) in Coralville.

Children and adults alike can take part in hands-on, aviation-related activities and Rockwell Collins engineers will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to answer questions and share information. Participants can also experience Rockwell Collins' virtual reality demonstration in the museum's theater.

The activities complement the museum's "Take Flight! The Science of Aviation" exhibit that features state-of-the-art flight simulators built into kid-sized planes, an air traffic control tower, hot air balloon, pedal planes, remote control flight simulators, Bernoulli's Wind Table, a Cessna 150, Paper Airplane Flight Cage, Pig Parachutes and more.

"Children will have a ball at this event," says Cindy Dietz, community relations manager at Rockwell Collins. "And just as important, they'll be learning about technology that is being applied to the real world every day. The hands-on experience creates excitement for children, and just maybe, inspires them to someday pursue a career in engineering and aerospace."

A new addition to EWeek is the Rockwell Collins Educator Event. Counselors and math and science teachers will have the opportunity to hear first-hand from students who have participated in job shadows, internships and other hands-on activities sponsored by Rockwell Collins. Educators will also visit engineering labs and flight simulators.

In addition, Rockwell Collins will host "Introduce a Girl to Engineering" for an eighth year. This program pairs women engineers with eighth-grade girls from area middle schools. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, and Friday, Feb. 19, volunteers will give tours, presentations and equipment demonstrations to show girls engineering career possibilities.

The Iowa Engineering Society (IES) Career Guidance Event, will be held Thursday, Feb. 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kirkwood Community College. The event will feature breakout sessions, display booths and networking opportunities for high school students.

EWeek will also include Rockwell Collins employees visiting various Cedar Rapids elementary schools and engaging them with hands-on activities aimed at spurring students' interest in technology careers.

EWeek is part of Rockwell Collins' Engineering Experiences educational outreach program.

Rockwell Collins teams with the following organizations to provide these activities to the Corridor: Cedar Rapids Chapter Iowa Engineering Society, Heartland International Council on Systems Engineering, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Society of Women Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics.
                                                                       
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications.
Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management and simulation and training is delivered by nearly 20,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.

Media contact:
Dave Gosch
319.295.2908
319.651.3042 (cell)
djgosch@rockwellcollins.com

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