NAE ANNUAL FUND
PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF ENGINEERING

The long-term vitality of the engineering enterprise depends, in part, on public understanding of the broad and fundamental contributions engineers make to our society, yet the public largely misunderstands engineering and under-appreciates its impact on our society and quality of life. Moreover, most citizens do not comprehend the complex interactions between society and technology that are fundamental to many of our nation’s economic and social policy options.

The NAE’s Public Understanding of Engineering (PUE) program helps people better understand the relationships and distinctions between science and engineering, and recognize the impact of engineering on quality-of-life.

In 2000, the program guided the creation of the highly successful Great Achievements project, featuring the most important engineering milestones of the 20th Century. Building on substantial news coverage and an actively used website, the project is working toward publication of a book on the Great Achievements, as well as television and radio programming.

In 2001 and beyond, the Public Understanding program will expand its activities through an array of initiatives, including evaluating the engineering community’s myriad communication and public education initiatives, and being more proactive in communicating the engineering enterprise’s perspective on significant policy issues before the public.

More information on the Public Understanding of Engineering program is available at www.nae.edu under NAE Programs. Use your browser’s Back button to return to this page.

To make an Annual Fund gift or Campaign pledge, use our secure on-line form or check out the Making Your Gift section of our website. Remember that since many employers will match charitable gifts, you may be able to double the effect of your support for the NAE.

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Diversity in Engineering
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Public Understanding of Engineering

For more information about any of the programs mentioned in these pages -- or about the Annual Fund in general -- please contact us at giving@nationalacademies.org or 202.334.2431.