I usually don't get in on these, but this has been one of the better set up and replied to threads on this, and it's nice to see actual information presented and inquired on.
Anyway, the reason I jumped in is about the week; if I suspect correctly, it's E-week, or Engineering Week, and it's actually world (or at least nationally) recognized. It'll be celebrated February 17-23 in 2013. (For more info from the org. that sponsors it, here:
http://eweek.org/Home.aspx). It's a pretty big deal for engineers; well, at least at my school, it was a week long celebration.
Disney (here at WDW) has many events that go on during the week, it just depends on the year. A couple of years ago, Bill Nye came out and did experiments; it was pretty big. I hope that sheds some light, but I hope I haven't forgotten something else.
As for other ways to introduce her:
-find as many books as you can, there are so many out there. Disney has put out many of their own;
(list of them through amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=disney imagineeringThere are also many other folks in the field, not imagineers, that have put out many other books on what they follow or processes they use. I wish I could think of some currently, I'm sorry.
-There are a quite a few DVDs and specials out there that have been made, by Disney or otherwise, on the the work that has gone into many of the attractions. So much can be learned from the stories of how things came to be, design challenges, etc. I've personally amassed a large collection of stuff that ranges from a special on Everest, to the Modern Marvels:WDW.
(amazon on movies)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=movies-tv&field-keywords=imagineer&rh=n:2625373011,k:imagineer&ajr=0
Also, I'm not sure your daughters age *I just reread and noticed you said she was 7, sorry* (for this, she must be 10; most of the 'spoil the magic' events tend to be that way), but if you guys come often to WDW, there's a special dining event at the Brown Derby called Dining with an Imagineer, and in a small group, you have a 4 course meal (excellent, by the way) while stealing some time with an Imagineer. They talk to you about a wide range of anything (on my visit, I met not only Jason Grandt, but his mother as well, and that made for different talk than you'll most likely get) and you get to enjoy their company.
Something I wanted to add: Lazyboy has a good point; there has to be an appreciation of the industry as a whole. WDI has been growing of late, but who knows how the landscape will be when your daughter gets to that point. It helps to realize that there isn't always a direct path (especially so, in this case), but you may find yourself going in various directions.
After graduation, I realized it would be hard going to directly get in (been trying for about 5 years already
), and I looked for smaller, contractual companies that are hired by the bigger guys, so you can still learn the how the industry works and functions. Sometimes, you can find the smaller companies can be a better taste. I'm currently working with a former imagineer-turned-contractor in a
small firm, trying to teach myself to the way it runs. However, don't take any of my talk as nay-saying or doubting, more as advice to navigate the waters
Anyway, I got more into this than I'd planned, so I should retire from my wall of text. Good luck to your daughter, and to you as well. I rarely see any child serious about this; I've met only one before, and it threw me off. I usually get 'master builder', or 'designer' where I work. It puts a smile on my face.