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youth think tank

Dear Parents Everywhere

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We asked our Youth Think Tank to write letters describing their thoughts around Engineering to the people who matter in their world. Listen up WEMADEIT community!

Over the last 2 months I’ve been part of a Youth Think Tank to investigate why less than 20% of engineering students are women, and to create a website that talks about engineering in a way that’s actually interesting for teenagers. Because of my experience, I have a few insights I’d like to share with you about how to communicate with high school girls, how to talk with us about our futures and decision-making, about our attitudes towards STEM, and how gender issues affect all of this.

First of all, when talking to teenage girls, you want to make the topic sound fun and exciting. You want to convince us that we’re going to have a fun time. You want to show us the positive aspects of our future, but at the same time make us aware of the negative sides. When talking about the negative sides, try to counter it with a positive attribute. Make sure you aren’t sounding like the job they have chosen is going to be a thing they will have to stay and work for the next few decades of their life, but rather sound like it would be a privilege to work their and that everyday would be a thrilling adventure.

Secondly, if a girl is interested in STEM careers, be sure to support her in her choices and even help her in going down the right path or help her find opportunities where she will get to experience what it’s like to work there. Always encourage her, if you put her down or seem like you aren’t fully supportive and sure of the job then she will second-guess herself. Parents are the people their daughters look up to for everything, and if you aren’t there for her, she will feel as if STEM isn’t a good choice for her to pursue anymore.

Lastly, gender equality seems to play a big role. There are many reasons as to why girls aren’t enrolling in STEM careers. It could be that girls are intimidated by a dominantly male career, it could be that they aren’t confident in their abilities when comparing themselves to men (or just in general), or it could be that they haven’t even been introduced to the STEM pathway. Research shows that boys seem to be shown more of STEM-related things from a younger age than girls. Even if it’s just building things with Lego blocks, they’re taught to build and find ways to make everything fit and look good, whereas girls are given Barbie dolls to dress up and play with. In this way, we are stereotyped. Girls from a young age are shown what it’s like to be a fashion designer, or artist, or performer, where boys are brought up to be the one who is expected to support the family and do the “man’s” work.

But in reality, girls are equal to boys, and they could even bring something to STEM that men can’t. Girls are generally perfectionists and will double check to make sure everything is perfect and that there are no flaws, where boys tend to be more rash with their decisions. Girls can bring different ideas than men considering the difference in mindset of the different genders.

Support, encourage, and help girls in their decisions and always think positive. Remember that girls can do just the same as men, so don’t go doubting and second-guessing us. By doing this, you give us support and a feeling that tells us we really can do it, helping us towards our dreams.

Sincerely,
Youth Think Tank Member

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.”