Tuesday, June 16, 2009
John Gibbons, Lawrence doctoral student, explains elements of HTML programming design to a small group of high school girls from around the country during Project Discovery, a week-long summer camp that provides high school girls the chance to explore possible careers in engineering.
Alumnus Shannon Skoglund decided to come to the University after attending Project Discovery, an engineering camp for high school girls organized by the School of Engineering.
Skoglund, who majored in computer science engineering, said the camp, which is taking place again this week, helped her find a passion for engineering. It also helped her recognize the importance of peer support as a girl interested in the science field.
“As a young girl, if you like science and math, you’re going to hide it just to fit in,” Skoglund said. “A lot of these girls don’t have friends who are interested like they are in those subjects.”
Florence Boldridge, director of diversity and women’s programs at the school, organized Project Discovery. The camp offers two sessions in the summer, the first of which began June 15. Boldridge said the week-long camp not only offered girls hands-on experience in math and science subjects, but also gave girls the acceptance and friendships of peers who shared the same interests.
Boldridge said one of the goals of Project Discovery was to encourage young women to follow their passion for science and continue their education in engineering. Skoglund attended the camp three consecutive years, which helped her make the decision to come to the University.
“Project Discovery made me more familiar with the University,” Skoglund said. “After three years of camp there, I didn’t really want to go anywhere else.”
According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics survey from 2007, women make up only 11 percent of engineers in the U.S.
In an effort to increase the percentage, the Society of Women Engineers, a national organization, offers a variety of engineering related events similar to Project Discovery, where girls can meet women engineers, participate in activities with them and ask questions. According to its Web site, the organization’s mission is to establish engineering as a highly desirable career for women through training and development programs, networking, scholarships and outreach.
Boldridge, who has worked at the University for 25 years, said she had seen the positive effects of outreach programs. Over the past three years Project Discovery has recruited 20 of its participants to the school.
Kyli Christopher, Lee Summit senior, is a mechanical engineering student working with Boldridge on Project Discovery. Christopher helped Boldridge make the final preparations for session one of the camp, in which 20 high school girls take part in experiments and lectures, furthering their knowledge toward becoming engineers.
Some plan to major in chemical and mechanical engineering, like Christopher, who said she hoped to use her engineering degree in health and medical advancement.
“If you really love math and science, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t go into engineering,” Christopher said.
— — Edited by David Ugarte
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