February 18, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, AL — More than 200 students from 35 local high, middle and elementary schools will participate in the 14th annual Brent Newman Memorial Egg Drop Contest at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, at the UAB Business-Engineering Complex, 1150 10th Avenue South. The contest, part of the National Engineers Week celebration, is presented by the UAB Student Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME).

The purpose of the Egg Drop is to encourage imaginative thinking and introduce design concepts to K-12 students. The contest entries will be judged first on survival of the egg and second upon the device’s weight. There will be three age divisions: elementary, middle school, and high school, with awards for first through third place. Awards will also be given for the most creative design.

The American Welding Society, the Society of Mechanical Engineers and the UAB Education Foundation sponsor the contest. It is named for the late Brent Newman, a UAB graduate. Brent, a Birmingham native, suffered from a rare form of leukemia, granulocytic sarcoma. Despite his illness, Brent completed his studies and carried the UAB School of Engineering banner at commencement ceremonies in December 1996. Six months later, he died.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is an educational service organization. The purpose of the ASME student section is to increase awareness of mechanical engineering as a career option to students, provide a support system for mechanical engineering students and enhance professionalism among its members.