Facts on engineering - Part 1 Random information for kids

Engineers are responsible for roads, buildings, bridges and many more all across the world.  We will start this new series where we will learn more on different structures designed and build by engineers, but first we will gather a few random facts today.

The job of an engineer is to solve problems by applying mathematical and scientific solutions.  The name 'engineer' comes from a latin word meaning 'cleverness'.

Different engineers are responsible for different things, like for instance a civil engineer will be busy working on roads where an electrical engineer will sort out the electricity of a building.  There are many different fields of engineers.  You can read more about it here.

As of 2010, the tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE. It reaches an incredible 828 metres (2717 feet) in height 

The Panama canal was build to link the Atlantic and Pacific ocean and to make sea travel faster.  This is seen as one of the most difficult engineering jobs ever to be completed.  This was not only a difficult project, but also a dangerous one.  More than 25 000 people died from diseases or landslides while working on this.

Engineers can even be busy with designing things like golf balls.  Have you seen the dimples on the balls?  They are there for a reason.  The ball will move faster and further through the air than a ball with no dimples.

As of 2010, the longest suspension bridge in the world is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan. Opened in 1998, it spans an amazing 1991 metres (6529 feet) .

In New York, engineers build an aqueduct to move and distribute water.  It is the longest tunnel for this purpose in the world at more than 137 km.  The drilling for this tunnel took place through solid rock and to do this, the engineers had to plan and find solutions before it was done.

Dams are used to catch and store water to send to different houses and businesses.  It takes planning to build a dam and for this an engineer is needed.

There are many other structures across the world that engineers were responsible for like

• the Titanic
• the Eiffel tower
• the largest ferris wheel in Europe, the London Eye
• wind turbines
• pyramids and many more.

Next time we will learn more on specific structures planned, designed and erected by engineers.

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