A fun interactive based project to help students get involved in International Women in
Engineering Day, which takes place on June 23rd.
Learning outcome: Get students involved in the celebration with videos and fun tasks in order to help honor the amazing things women engineers do.
Materials:
A platform to watch the videos on, see the projects, and conduct research
Paper to draw invention on, or physical crafts to make them with
Art supplies
Step 1:
Research the background of the day on the main website:
Step 2:
Watch this TedTalk: A female engineer helps ‘inspire the next generation of female
engineers’:
Key times:
Beginning to 10:00 – her background and a discussion of gender stereotypes
10:00- 16:35 – a discussion of her product and invention
16:35 – to the end: a call to action for future engineers
While watching the TedTalk, note down any mentions she makes of barriers of entry that
women face in becoming engineers.
Step 3:
Divide a piece of paper into two columns. Label one side ‘female engineers’ and the other
side ‘male engineers’ and write the numbers 1-20 down the sides.
Step 4:
That task is to search ‘names of engineers’ on google. As you begin, start a timer, and record
the amount of time it takes to fill out both columns of engineers.
Note down how many different websites it took to find to the female engineers – and
whether you had to tweak your search to ‘female engineers’ in order to find their names.
(Note: I don’t know your results, but when I did Step 4, the top 50 names of engineers that
appeared contained ZERO females)
Step 5:
Discuss the effect it has when people looking to educate themselves about engineers, go
online, and the first results they find contain only male names.
Step 6:
Discuss why these highly skilled female engineers are not getting the important recognition
they deserve.
Brainstorm simple ways you can help raise awareness of women in engineering
(here are some prompts, if required):
Take time to understand and educate yourself – and everyone around you – about female achievement in engineering and other areas.
When/if you're able to use social media accounts, follow accounts promoting female equality and share posts on your own platforms
Support people you know who want to become engineers and are worried they will be shot down or faced with sexist responses
Never let ANYONE tell you that you can’t do something because of your gender
Always use your voice to stand up for what you believe in.
If you are in a class and your teacher or mentor mentions a famous male engineer (or inventor/scientist/economist etc) call them out on it and challenge them! Ask why they have chosen a male and whether they know the name of a female one.
The final step:
As today is about women in engineering, why not join in and create your own invention –
either on paper or using arts/crafts.
Here are a few videos to watch, which will help instruct you and inspire you:
Colourful chemistry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isc4mviBzt8
Build an Earthquake Resistant Structure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEKTrTWMZZ8
Windy City Tower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEKTrTWMZZ8
Foil Boats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT1a1yKmTgY
A website for some exciting STEM videos to watch and enjoy: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/search?v=vi&s=activity
TED talks by Women in STEM:
Online discussion with women involved in STEM:
More STEM activities and resources:
STEM Activities for Kids: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities?p=2
Doing Science at Home During School Closures Archives: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/category/doing-science-at-home
5 STEM Space Activities, Resources and Lessons for Students and Educators: https://www.ucf.edu/online/engineering/news/five-stem-space-activities/
Starts For Stem: https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/elibrary/resource/468235/starters-stem
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 free STEM resources: https://education.theiet.org/key-stage-1-2-3-and-4-free-stem-resources/home-learning-resources-key-stage-1-and-2/
Competitions to join in with:
[ Project Credit: Jodie-Anna Hamilton ]
[ Bio ]
Hi I’m Jodie, as a 17 year old student. I am trying all I can to contribute to the causes i care strongly for. My passion in life is to help those who suffer as victims of discrimination and to shine a light on them, to help them speak their truth
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