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The Coolest Eng Projects!

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As members of the WEMADEIT Youth Think Tank we asked and were asked, A LOT of questions. After some reflection, we thought you could stand to hear what we think. Here it is:

“The coolest example of engineering is the International Space Station. It took some serious engineering to be able to construct this ‘out-of-the-world’ product. It has very important purposes that couldn’t have happened without engineers!”

“The coolest example of engineering is the project that Solar Roadways is working on right now! Their plan is to use solar panels to pave the streets of the US and create renewable energy. If all of the pavable surfaces in the US were covered in solar panels it would generate enough power to run the whole country three times over! Check out more here”

“The coolest example/idea of engineering is vertical farming. A project that is still under progress, it is something that is meant to help with the ongoing increase in population (and hence the need for more food and agriculture). At the same time, it takes conservation of natural forests and environment into consideration, going high up instead of growing wide ”

“I think the Pyramids of Giza are the coolest example of engineering because they were made with no modern technology”

“The Rio-Antirrio Bridge in Greece, because no one thought that they’d be able to build a bridge there (because of the depth of the sea, the make-up of the sea bed, the winds and earthquakes, etc.) but through incredible engineering, they managed to make a really strong, successful bridge!”

“The coolest example of engineering are the blueprints they use to plan things with.”

“I think the coolest example of engineering is the Donghai bridge (also known as the Big East Sea Bridge). It is 32.5 km in length and crosses a sea from mainland Shanghai and the offshore Yangshang deep water port in China. There are sections allowing large ships to pass through and it does not allow vehicles on the bridge that do not meet weight requirements. It is one of the longest sea crossing bridges in the world and has previously been titles the longest.”

“The coolest example of engineering is the engineers who invented a charger powered by the sun. It helps with conserving energy, decreasing our green house gas submission and many other everyday problems.”

“The best example of engineering in my opinion is the Falkirk Wheel located in Scotland, which is a boat lift that connects the Union Canal with the Forth and Clyde Canal. It’s one of the coolest civil engineering projects that I’ve seen.”

Does STEM Fit Into Feminine Norms? (whatever that is!)

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“I don’t think focusing on STEM subjects would make me considered outside feminine gender norms, simply because we are people and we have the freedom to do whatever we want with our education. I believe that we aren’t limited to certain things just because we are from a certain gender.”

“STEM can be construed as stereotypically feminine because it’s not a very physically involved field, although the field is still mostly populated by men as the field is mostly sold to men.”

“I believe that STEM subjects require discipline, attention to detail, time management skills, basic cognitive thinking and also the ability to “think outside the box.” All of these requisite traits are not gender dependent (that is, if biological & psychological biases against women are considered). Thus, a woman applying for STEM subjects/careers who exhibit the ability to achieve and maintain success may be considered along with men who exhibit the same capabilities.”

“STEM is neither masculine nor feminine.”

“Uh yea I think they are a bit out of their gender norms when they focus on math and science subjects. But I don’t think it should be frowned upon or whatever! It shouldn’t even be a thing like why is is regarded as something negative, I don’t understand! There are more men then women in science and engineering but women provide a different perspective and a different way of thinking and it important to have a balance or at least a better ratio the there is right now. Some people might say that guys are just more interested in sciencey stuff and there’s nothing stopping girls from persuing a career in engineering, and yea that first part might be some what true but there certainly are things stopping or influencing girls away from a STEM university path. Whether it’s direct or indirect, so things like parents, or the media and what they’ve seen going on around them their whole lives. The Big Bang Theory for example (great show btw), all the male main characters are physicists and engineers where the female main characters are more on the biology side (which don’t get me wrong is still great) but there’s no female representative of the physics and engineering department in a fictional world so how could there be one in the real world?”

“No. Both female and male engineers, scientists etc. can be kind, or nurturing, or emotional or outgoing – or not at all. For example: nursing is often considered to be a female occupation, but some nurses are not kind or nurturing. A male metal worker repairing the CN Tower viewing deck could definitely by emotional and outgoing.”

“I would say no. I don’t think that your career path necessarily influences whether a women is feminine or not. I think you can be interested in STEM and still be feminine. I would say its more based on one’s personality and like I said don’t see a big connection between the interested in STEM subjects and femininity.”

Girls Need to Know This About Engineering

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As members of the WEMADEIT Youth Think Tank we asked and were asked, A LOT of questions. After some reflection, we thought you could stand to hear what we think. Here it is:

Our whole lives we’ve been educated about changing the world, this job gives us so many opportunities to make a difference. There is no reason why we can’t do it, engineering is for everyone. We could do great things.

That they can have a massive impact on the world, that anyone can do engineering and physics, it doesn’t take any special talents, you don’t have to be a math genius, all you need is a special interest in making the world a better, more advanced place while challenging yourself (this is what I would want to hear, not necessarily what all girls would care about)

I think girls need to know the options that even looking into engineering can give you. I would tell them about the opportunities they could have if they chose to go into engineering and I would try to give them an engineering role model.

Messages girls my age need to hear is that in this modern day society they are capable of anything they set their mind to. They should not be discouraged because they are females, they should pursue their dreams.

There is so much more to engineering than building bridges! Engineering IS a bridge.

There is so much more to engineering than building a car. Engineers are everywhere in society and most of them are male! Women need to get out there and start working things out to showcasing the brains and beauty we have within our selves.

That engineering is also about creativity and design (not just lots and lots of math and science which seems to perturb and scare some people)

Girls my age need to know that anything is possible. There is no job out there that should be gender dominated. If engineering is their passion then they should follow it. Nothing should restrict anyone from their dreams. They need to be educated on the wide variety of options and everything engineering could provide them with.

If you are willing to put in the work than anything is possible.

Girls Who Are Good at Science and Math Are..

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“This says that they are not afraid of the stereotypes that could be used against them, and it says that they are independent and strive for what they want.”

“Any person who is good at science or math must have the brain power to comprehend the nonsensical craziness that are math and science.”

“Other than having self-confidence, I think girls who are good at science and math are generally quite intelligent and highly open-minded, a quality that enables them to see beyond shades of black and white, and break away from the “norm” and accept themselves for who they are.”

“Intelligent, driven, focused, and strong work ethic. These qualities show how strong and powerful women are.”

“One word: ME”

“Okay, girls who are good at math and science are the best. They’re so much fun to talk to, and although I’m not amazing at science and math I think very similarly to people that are, in fact two of my favourite girls in the whole entire world are amazing at math and science. I’ve seen an unfortunate case where my older friends from another school is phenomenal at science and math (getting high 90’s in all those types of classes) but is being pushed toward literature because it is a more female appropriate career instead of engineering or medicine which she would much prefer and excel at.”

“I would say a girl who is good at math or science is quite nerdy or geeky from my own stereotypical views and wouldn’t see them as the typical “cool” girls and it shows they are smart and intelligent and people I should avoid looking stupid in front of. I’d say these types of girls are good at paying attention and are “good” girls. ”

“Intelligent, responsible, ambitious, inquisitive, analytical, sensible, and intuitive. To me a girl who excels in math and science is one who is ambitious and cares for their education and place in life.”

The Problem With Highschool

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“The lack of experiential learning, everything you teach us is in theory and intangible therefore it makes life seem like this rigid societal machine instead of the organic beauty it really is. School dazes us it doesn’t WAKE US UP to the power we have. ”

“I don’t like that they make us make decisions at such a young age that will determine/direct our future. The choices and grades you receive when you are 15 determine where you will be when you’re 18 which determines what job you will be able to get when you are 23 which determines your way of life when you’re 30.”

“Everyone has a learning style that fits them better and schools need to attend to that more.”

“They rely more on memorization than actual knowledge.”

“The huge amount of homework/assignments/tests students received from multiple teachers, all due within a close time period. This results in students only having 6-7 (and sometimes even less) hours of sleep each night (so much for teenagers having to have 8-9 hours of sleep to grow properly!)”

“For non-semestered school, it’s so hard for students to complete 6 -8 exams in 10 days in the middle of June. I had 2 days during exam week where I had 2 exams in one day. Many people do not sleep, and walk around with koala eyes.”

We’re Looking Forward to University

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“I am looking forward to the spirit of all the students. The passion and energy of everyone at the university motivates me to be happy and enjoy my time while learning there.”

“What appeals to me most about university life is being able to join a large community that extends deep into the roots of career, entertainment and interaction.”

“I like how diverse universities are. You’re able to meet so much new different people and learn about their beliefs and culture.”

“The university I’m going to has a lot of bike trails from the campus into the town where there is a weekly farmers market I plan to make us of! ”

“I can’t wait for that away-from-home experience, where you get to live on campus by yourself and have fun with your friends.”

“I think it would be very cool to live with a room mate. I think it would be a different kind of experience, and it would be pretty cool to move out of the house. I would have to be responsible for my own food and laundry, and I think it would be a good way to appreciate all that my Mom does for me!”

“The lecture halls are intriguing… may be weird but i find it way better than a school class room. It’s different! ”

“I think that it’ll be great to have classes full of people who actually want to be there, and who are all academic and interested in the same careers as me!”

“What appeals to me most about the university life is being in a dorm with my friends. I think it would be really nice to live with your friends and study with them rather than studying from your bedroom at home alone.”