Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day at SIUE Inspires Local Students | https://www.siue.edu/
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day at SIUE Inspires Local Students | https://www.siue.edu/
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day at SIUE Inspires Local Students
Girls can do anything, engineering included. That was the theme of “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Saturday, Feb. 25. Over 130 local middle and high school girls attended the 11th annual event at SIUE’s School of Engineering (SOE) sponsored by the SIUE Chapter of Society of Women Engineers (SWE).
“Women in engineering is uncommon,” said Kaitlyn Colligan, junior industrial engineering major and president of the SWE. “We want to introduce girls to engineering and have it become the norm. Engineering plays a big role in society, and we want the younger generations to know that and see the impact they can have through engineering.”
SIUE students and faculty lead various activities for the girls, featuring the engineering disciplines of mechanical, electrical, computer science, civil and industrial.
“Engineering is a field that has historically been dominated by men,” said Cem Karacal, PhD, professor and dean of the SOE. “Times are changing. It is time for more girls and women to take their place in this exciting field. The new frontiers in engineering will be at the crossroads of multiple disciplines. The fresh perspective of women engineers will provide amazing opportunities for them to shape the future technologies and make significant impact on our civilization.”
Keynote speaker Lusnail Rondón Haberberger, CEO of LUZCO Technologies and Venezuelan- born American, spoke about the myths of women in engineering, and how she herself, overcame the difficulties of being a minority in the engineering field.
“One of the reasons I started LUZCO Technologies was to become a role model for young girls, especially those of minority,” said Haberberger. “Representation matters. If girls cannot see a woman in engineering, then how can they know they can do it? I hope to motivate these girls and inspire them through my achievement in engineering.”
Throughout her talk, Haberberger continually encouraged the girls with one main message. Believe in yourself, you can do it.
Original source can be found here
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