Engineering and other STEM programs are much more than just “building things.” In the minds of engineers around the world, it is a form of art – and we have some of these great artists right here at WCC’s Engineering program, including instructor Patrick Burnett.
Burnett is an engineering professor at WCC, and his goal is to provide a fun, engaging, and impactful learning environment for his students.
“I personally define an engineer as an artist who uses science and math to create whatever,” Burnett said. “So in my classroom and in the program, I want to give students an opportunity to define where their passion truly lies.”
Burnett explained that many beginner students enter the class expecting strict rules they must follow. However, in a field like engineering that requires creativity, sometimes you have to break the rules to find it.
Some of the work happening in the engineering department includes 3D printing, and those interested can learn how to use the printers anytime someone is available in KUR. In this same room are machines that recycle old 3D-printed parts to be reused for future projects.
It’s safe to say that engineering is more than just math and science; it’s art. In fact, it’s more than art—it’s essential.
The engineering department also works with the city of Bellingham to create a device that monitors water contamination levels in the sewers leading to the Bellingham Bay in real time—a total game-changer.
