By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • 0 Comments

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

As we observe Hispanic Heritage Month, we take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of Hispanic individuals who have made lasting impacts in engineering, science, and space exploration. Among them are three pioneers whose achievements continue to inspire generations around the world.

o Franklin Chang-Díaz – Costa Rican-American Astronaut and Physicist
Born on April 5, 1950, in San José, Costa Rica, Dr. Franklin Chang-Díaz broke barriers in both science and space. After completing his early education in Costa Rica, he moved to the United States, where he finished high school in Connecticut. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1973, followed by a Ph.D. in Plasma Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1977. Dr. Chang-Díaz became a NASA astronaut in 1981. Over his distinguished career, he completed seven spaceflights, which were missions STS 61-C, STS-34, STS-46, STS-60, STS-75, STS-91, and STS-111 before retiring in 2005. His work contributed significantly to space technology.

o Ellen Ochoa – First Hispanic Woman in Space
Ellen Ochoa, born on May 10, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, is a proud Mexican American who made history as the first Hispanic woman to go to space. A highly accomplished engineer, she earned both her master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University. Her journey into space began on April 8, 1993, with the STS-56 mission. Ochoa would go on to complete four spaceflights in total, which were missions STS-56, STS-66, STS-96, and STS-110. Beyond her work as an astronaut, she later became the Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, becoming a role model for women and Latinas in STEM fields.

o Zoilo Hermógenes García Peña – Aviation Pioneer from the Dominican Republic
Born on December 21, 1881, in La Vega, Dominican Republic, Zoilo Hermógenes García Peña holds a foundational place in the history of Dominican aviation. After studying civil engineering and aviation at the Institut Industriel du Nord in France, he returned to his homeland and was officially recognized with the exequatur, allowing him to practice engineering in the Dominican Republic. In 1911, García Peña designed and built his first aircraft, which he named the Poliplane, meaning “multiple wings” in Spanish. He successfully flew his plane in the United States, earning recognition as the first Dominican pilot. His pioneering work led him to be remembered as the father of aviation in the Dominican Republic.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

Read a New Book Month: A Time to Explore, Learn, and Connect

Read a New Book Month is celebrated each September with the goal of encouraging people to expand their knowledge through reading. This observance promotes the benefits of reading new material, especially from different genres and subjects, as a way to gain fresh insights and broaden personal perspectives.

Books offer a unique opportunity for authors to share stories, ideas, and experiences. Through this exchange, readers are able to connect with people, cultures, and viewpoints that may be very different from their own. Exploring new genres, whether fiction, history, science, or technical subjects, can deepen understanding and stimulate critical thinking.

Participating in Read a New Book Month can be simple and rewarding. Joining book clubs, becoming a member of a local library, or even starting a reading group with friends are great ways to celebrate and encourage reading within a community.

For those interested in expanding their knowledge in engineering, several noteworthy books provide a strong foundation in key areas:
• Steel Structures – Design and Behaviour by Charles G. Salmon and John E. Johnson
• Environmental Engineering by Howard S. Peavy, Donald R. Rowe, and George Tchobanoglous
• Building Construction by B.C. Punmia
• Construction Project Management by Frederick Gould and Nancy Joyce
• Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down by J.E. Gordon

Whether for professional development or personal interest, diving into a new book this September is a meaningful way to engage with the world of knowledge and ideas.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

Celebrating Our 42nd Anniversary

KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (KC), a leading provider of engineering and land surveying services in the New York State and City area, is proud to celebrate our 42nd anniversary. Since our founding in 1983, KC has grown from a small business to a thriving firm with over 100 employees. KC has consistently demonstrated our commitment to excellence in the field of engineering and land surveying. Our firm has been recognized for our outstanding work on numerous occasions, including the 2021 AGC New York State Excellence in Partnering Award for Informal Partnering and the 2022 ACEC New York Diamond Award—Transportation for the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) Design-Build Contract D800002 TA 19-1: Cashless Tolling project.

One of the key factors in our success has been our ability to adapt to the changing needs of the industry. KC has continually invested in new technologies and equipment, and our experienced professionals’ staff are always up to date on the latest certifications and courses. As a result of our commitment to excellence, KC continues to be awarded numerous projects as a prime and subconsultant. KC has also been involved in a number of high-profile projects, including being the Lead Designer on the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) I-81 Viaduct - Phase 1, Contract 2 project. In addition to our professional achievements, KC is also committed to giving back to the community. KC supports a number of local charities and organizations.

At KC, we are grateful for the support of our staff, clients, and subconsultants who we have collaborated with over the past 42 years. We look forward to continuing to provide exceptional engineering and land surveying services for many years to come. As KC looks ahead, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We are confident that we will continue to be leaders in the engineering and land surveying industry for many years to come. KC is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality services possible, and we are constantly looking for new ways to improve our operations. KC is thankful for the support of our staff, clients, and subconsultants we have collaborated with over the past 42 years. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with these individuals and organizations to achieve even greater success in the years to come.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

International Women’s Day

International Women's Day was observed on Sunday, March 8, a global event that honors the contributions made by women throughout history and elevates their voices. Today is an excellent opportunity to honor the accomplishments of some engineering heroes who cleared the path for today's female engineers. The following women made history in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):

Katherine Johnson was born in 1918 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. She was a pioneer in mathematics that landed her a job at NASA as a Trajectory Analysis for Alan Shepard’s mission in 1961, and then for John Glenn's orbital mission in 1962. While working for NASA, she was the behind-the-scenes math genius that made many missions like space shuttle, Earth Resources Satellite, and Apollo’s Lunar Lander successful. Thanks to her achievements, she received the highest civilian honor in the United States: The Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Additionally, during a ceremony honoring NASA's Hidden Figures in 2024, Ms. Johnson's family collected the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of her contributions to the United States.

Mary W. Jackson was born in 1921 in Hampton, Virginia. She was an African-American NASA engineer who made it possible for America’s first men to travel to space. She was known as a human computer who, behind the scenes, calculated the orbital trajectories. Aside from engineering, she was passionate about advocating for women and minorities in the engineering field, so after working 30 years with NASA, she retired in 1985 and shifted careers to focus on becoming an equal opportunity specialist to help women and minorities.

Kalpana Chawla was born March 17, 1962, in Karnal, India. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in India and later moved to the United States to continue her education and received a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. After being naturalized in the United States, she became an astronaut, engineer, and the first woman of Indian descent to go to space. Chawla lost her life during a mission, but her legacy continues to live through her work. Her research helped other astronauts understand health and safety during spaceflight. She continues to be an inspiration for many immigrants who are chasing the American dream.

Dorothy Vaughan was born in 1910 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the first African-American supervisor for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). She advocated for her employees by making sure they received promotions and pay raises. After segregation ended in 1985, that is when NACA became NASA and Vaughan became a programmer for a new division that was created, named Analysis and Computation. While working in this division, her group worked behind the scenes and played a major part in the success of a satellite-launching rocket called Scout. Vaughan retired in 1971.

For more information about women who made history in NASA, please visit: https://www.nasa.gov/

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • 0 Comments

Ancient Marvels in Engineering

Modern, high-tech design is typically what comes to mind when we think about engineering. But the strong engineering and design foundations of the past enabled many technological advancements, some of which are seen as wonders of the world today. The following are a few of the most inventive engineering achievements of all time:

  • The Great Wall of China: The Great Wall of China, at nearly 13,000 miles long, is the longest structure ever built. It was built over the course of 2,000 years. In addition to the actual wall, the structure includes 25,000 towers, castles, and other fortresses for soldiers to stay on alert against attack.
  • The Great Pyramid of Giza: The Great Pyramid were masterpieces of technical skill and engineering ability. The sides of the Great Pyramid are aligned perfectly with the four cardinal points of the compass. It is estimated that it took workers over 20 years to complete the construction of the Great Pyramid.
  • Taj Mahal: Beginning in 1631, the Taj Mahal's construction is estimated to have taken 22 years to complete. Even now, the Taj Mahal is still today one of the most recognizable buildings in the world of architecture.
  • Highways: The Romans built a sophisticated system of roads. Roman engineers designed highways to allow for water drainage. The Romans built over 50,000 miles of road by 200 A.D. Highways allowed the Roman legion to travel as far as 25 miles per day.
  • Panama Canal: Beginning in 1904, the Panama Canal is an international waterway that was built to enable ship traffic between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans saving traders a lot of time and money. The canal proved to be an exceptionally successful engineering project, despite being difficult to construct.