CH2M inspires next generation to dream big with Denver Museum of Nature & Science sponsorship

"Growing up, I thought I wanted to be an actress until 1999, when the Kocaeli earthquake hit the northwest region of Turkey. My family and I awoke in fear because of the strong shaking in our apartment," said Menzer.

Menzer's family survived the quake mostly unscathed, but their country did not. A large portion of northwest Turkey was reduced to rubble. City block after city block had collapsed, and the death toll climbed by thousands. Menzer was not content to process the tragedy through the eyes of a typical young teenager. She wanted answers. She wanted to help. And that's how her civil engineering career began.

"The 1999 earthquake definitely played a huge role in determining my life's work," said Menzer, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, and one of the ASCE 2016 New Faces of Civil Engineering Professionals. She now focuses her career on earthquake engineering with a strong desire to help reduce risk and increase resiliency ahead of future natural disasters.

"Children often don't understand that examples of engineering are all around them," added Menzer. "DREAM BIG shines a bright light on some of the world's most exciting and thought-provoking infrastructure, and teaches students that if they can dream it, they can be it."

CH2M's partnership with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science will propel efforts to raise awareness of the film and its powerful message about how engineers make our world a better and safer place. It is also an opportunity to further the firm's support of a wide range of STEM programs in Denver with the Museum and across the U.S. and around the world through the CH2M Foundation, including introducing elementary students to basic science and math concepts, sponsoring secondary student science and engineering competitions and providing financial support and hands-on engineering experiences to keep university students engaged.

"We are pleased to partner with CH2M and nurture the next generation of engineers. DREAM BIG inspires, and we hope children and their families learn that anyone can become a world-changing engineer," said George Sparks, President and CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Media Advisory
Interviews with Menzer Pehlivan are available upon request on April 5 and 6 or in person April 5 from 6 to 7 p.m. MST at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205.

CH2M is dedicated to tackling our clients' toughest infrastructure and natural resources challenges, learn more about what we do and consider joining our team of talented and game-changing engineers.

About CH2M
CH2M leads the professional services industry delivering sustainable solutions benefiting societal, environmental and economic outcomes with the development of infrastructure and industry. In this way, CH2Mers make a positive difference providing consulting, design, engineering and management services for clients in water; environment and nuclear; transportation; energy and industrial markets, from iconic infrastructure to global programs like the Olympic Games. Ranked among the World's Most Ethical Companies and top firms in environmental consulting and program management, CH2M in 2016 became the first professional services firm honored with the World Environment Center Gold Medal Award for efforts advancing sustainable development. Connect with CH2M at www.ch2m.com; LinkedIn; Twitter; and Facebook.

About Dream Big
Who will build the amazing future of our human race? That question sparks a giant-screen adventure unlike any other in DREAM BIG, an epically fun tour of inspiration through the visionary advances made by yesterday's, today's – and most thrillingly of all, tomorrow's engineers.

Produced in partnership with the American Society of Civil Engineers and presented by Bechtel Corporation, DREAM BIG reveals how engineers have changed both everyday lives and entire societies. At CH2M, dreaming big starts with a desire to improve the communities where we work, live and play. Just ask Dr. Menzer Pehlivan, geotechnical engineer at CH2M and one of the stars of Dream Big.

"I love solving real-time challenges and being involved with the projects I know are helping the community," Pehlivan shares. "Whether it's a wet-weather treatment station or an earthquake-resilient structure, as engineers our work helps make people's lives better every day, and it's very satisfying."

SOURCE CH2M

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