In April 2001, The National Academy of Engineering (NAE), with funding
from the Elizabeth and Stephen Bechtel, Jr., Foundation, initiated a new project
as part of its Public Understanding of Engineering Program. The project was
informed by public opinion surveys that indicated that the American public has
minimal understanding of engineering and engineers and little appreciation for
what they do. A survey/questionnaire was developed in conjunction with outside
consultants, Market Research Bureau and McMahon Communications, to create
an inventory of current outreach programs for improving public awareness of
engineering and to better understand their effectiveness or lack of effectiveness.
The survey was administered and the results were collected by the consultants.
To review the results of the survey/questionnaire, the NAE formed the Committee
on Public Awareness of Engineering (CPAE), composed of a group of distinguished citizens interested in and/or involved in the engineering community.
Based on their review, the committee made recommendations for the engineering
community’s future approach to public awareness activities. This report is a
report from the NAE to the engineering community based on a synthesis of the
consultants’report of the survey, background information developed by the NAE,
and the recommendations of the CPAE.