The National Engineers Week Foundation kicks off its annual event on Feb. 19 with a theme focusing on the global population reaching 7 billion people in 2011.

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Engineers Week 2012 (Feb. 19-25), supported by the National Engineers Week Foundation, is focusing its theme on the global population passing 7 billion in 2011. The theme is: 7 billion people. 7 billion dreams. 7 billion chances for engineers to turn dreams into reality. 

To help turn the dream into a reality, one of the focuses the foundation has had is to focus on kids and to encourage those who might be interested in engineering. Promoting engineering, especially at an early age, is considered vital in a field that needs to grow to help the world develop and grow.

Among the events the foundation has planned include Discover Engineering Family Day on Feb. 18, 2012, which is held annually at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. 

Another event is Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day on Feb. 23, 2012, which encourages female engineers to mentor girls in grades K-12 interested in engineering, which has been a predominantly male field. The event celebrated its 10th anniversary. 

The foundation also holds an annual event recognizing some of the most promising young engineers in the field with the New Faces of Engineering program, which is entering its ninth year. For the first time, the program will focus on the best and brightest engineering students who have made an impact in the field beyond the classroom.

For parents and educators looking to encourage children who may have an interest in engineering, check out this article from Control Engineering's website.