EngineerGirl

Research has shown that girls with STEM role models show more interest in STEM subjects and feel more confident in their STEM abilities than girls without them¹. EngineerGirl is making hundreds of role models visible to girls around the world to demonstrate that any girl can explore engineering and the opportunities it offers.

EngineerGirl is designed to bring national attention to the exciting opportunities that engineering represents for girls and women, and to inform, inspire, and support girls and to encourage them to consider the rewards of an engineering education and career. Why girls and women? Because despite an increase in female participation in many traditionally male-dominated professions such as medicine and law, women remain grossly under-represented in engineering. Diversity of thought is crucial to creativity, and by leaving women out of the process of innovation, we lose a key component of diversity and stifle innovation and progress.

The EngineerGirl program has many facets, the base of which is a website filled to the brim with information about engineering careers and fields, resources for pursuing a career in engineering, design projects to try, and most importantly, a Gallery of Women Engineers and “Ask an Engineer” section.

The Gallery of Women Engineers features engineers from around the world, at many different levels in their careers, and representing a wide array of companies. It serves to dispel stereotypes of engineers and allows students to see the many different paths that may be available to them, from engineers who are similar to them. Those engineers also answer questions submitted by site visitors to the Ask an Engineer section. Question topics range from types of projects engineers are working on to what classes to take for a specific field, to how to deal with academic pressure or being the only girl in the room.

The annual EngineerGirl Writing Contest opens every fall with hundreds of submissions from around the world. The contest gives student the opportunity to combine interests in writing and communication with science and technology and learn about engineering’s contributions to the world and the way we live.

In 2018, the EngineerGirl Ambassadors program was launched. The Ambassadors are high school girls in the United States who design, develop, and implement projects in their communities to encourage younger girls – particularly those with little access to engineering role models – to think about engineering and engineering careers and give them practical experience in engineering design. Ambassadors also receive an all-expenses paid trip to receive training in outreach and network with engineers. As of 2020, 45 girls have participated in the program.   

“EngineerGirl has really helped me grow as a person and strengthened my passion for outreach. I truly learned of the importance of reaching out and setting an example for younger girls interested in STEM. Being an ambassador has helped me persevere through one of my most difficult times. I have become more bold and confident as a leader. I learned to embrace my mistakes rather than fretting over them, and have trained myself to have a more positive outlook on my decisions.” - Rachel Chae. 2019-2020 EngineerGirl Ambassador

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1. https://news.microsoft.com/europe/features/girls-in-stem-the-importance-of-role-models/