As a mother of four daughters, I really believe in the need for encouraging women to be strong, be creative, and dream big. My husband and I have both talked about how exciting it would be for at least one of our girls to be an engineer someday. The Society of Women Engineers’ Invent it. Build It. program appealed so much to me but since all of my girls were still just a bit too young, I wanted to share the information for those of you who might want to get out there with your girls!
The strength of girl power will fill Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center this fall, where young girls in grades 6-12 are invited to attend the Society of Women Engineers’ (SWE) program, Invent it. Build it. The event runs Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 during WE16, the world’s largest conference for women engineers, and is divided into four parts: the SWE Girls Program, the Parent/Educator Program (PEP), the High School Girls Program and the EXPO. All attendees will have the unique opportunity to gain a hands-on engineering learning experience, aimed to encourage young girls with an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to pursue a career in engineering. This is the first year the program has been extended to include grades 9-12.
On average, 90 percent of girls who have attended an Invent it. Build it. event leave with a better understanding of engineering, and nearly two out of three girls say that the event has strengthened their confidence in engineering-related skills.
“One of the things that turns girls off when it comes to engineering is that they don’t have prior experience with science and technology applications like most of the boys do as they grow up,” said Karen Horting, CEO and executive director of SWE. “Without prior exposure, girls are easily discouraged. By fostering that curiosity and giving girls these experiences with engineering activities at an early age, we can better prepare them to explore a future in engineering and keep them enthused and excited at the opportunities available in engineering.”
The Girls Program for grades 6-8 will allow the girls to work with SWE members from around the world on hands-on engineering activities. The High School Girls Program for grades 9-12 will give the girls the opportunity to connect with real engineers and receive on-the- spot mentorship with discussions that cover everything from picking the right college to pursuing the right engineering degree.
While the girls participate in their respective programs, parents and educators are invited to attend the PEP, where they will learn about the variety of engineering careers and scholarships available, and be given helpful college admission resources for their children or students.
All attendees will have exclusive access hours to the coinciding EXPO, where they can learn about engineering clubs, engineering camps, competitions, after-school programs, scholarships and more. Last year’s exhibitors included the US Patent & Trademark Office, US Army Test and Evaluation Command, 2025 Labs, EngineerGirl, FIRST and more. Invent it. Build it. will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The cost of the girls’ programs is $7, and the cost of the PEP program is $5.
“There’s no better way to figure out if you’re interested in engineering and get hands on experience than a camp or an after school activity,” Horting added. “With Invent it. Build it, SWE hopes to provide a little more engineering exposure and excitement to the girls of Philadelphia.”
For more information about Invent it. Build it. and to register, visit inventitbuildit.swe.org. For media inquiries and to request a media registration, contact Jennifer Jaacks at (630) 305-0003 x303, or jjaacks@davidjamesgroup.com.
About SWE
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is a not-for- profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and receive the recognition and credit for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders. For more information about the Society of Women Engineers, visit http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/.
CONNECT with SWE and Invent it. Build It.
*The above post was provided by the sponsor and The Quirky Mom Next Door received compensation for sharing.
As a woman in a STEM career, this warms my heart! I can’t wait for Emma to grow up and experience things like this. I’ve found in my searches recently that there are websites catered to girls in science and etc like amightygirl.com that I absolutely love!
Such a great read. I’m glad they have programs like this for girls. It shows young girls that there are so many more options out there for them.
Love this! Great read, great write up.
I would of loved to attend something like this as child. Great way to build up young women.
That is super awesome and so empowering for girls everywhere.
My daughter is just a newborn but I can’t wait for her to be involved in activities like this. As a girl I picked up on my mom’s attitude of “I’m not good at math” and feel like it hindered me in my education. I hope that I don’t pass my math phobia along to my own daughter. STEM careers can be so exciting, not to mention lucrative, and I think that giving our daughters the keys to success in this area can be such a gift.
What a beautiful event! Empowering women is such a beautiful thing.
So important! Love how well this is written to outline the importance of empowering women! So important
In the United States there is a growing shortage of engineers, and we are falling well behind the rest of the world when it comes to the aforementioned profession. Not only are engineers under-represented in the U.S., but women in the workforce on the whole are under-represented, under-paid, and under-appreciated. It’s nice to see an organization that is tackling the issues facing BOTH of these facets of our society.
What a great program for young girls!
I love this idea and am so glad that they have conventions such as this. I think it’s important to encourage girls to follow their hearts and learn skills that will follow them through life.
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