Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day Saturday in Lincoln
By Will Bauer, Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media
May 7, 2019, 1:39 p.m. ·
On Saturday, May 11, Lincoln Children’s Museum, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Engineering and others will hold “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” at Innovation Campus in Lincoln.
The event looks to spread awareness and get more girls involved with engineering and STEM careers. At UNL, only 16% -17% of engineering students are women.
UNL coordinator of engineering education and outreach, Sally Wei, said research shows girls can lose interest in math and science as young as second and third grade.
“We just need to get more girls in engineering is probably the shortest answer, but women make up 50% of the population and engineering is all around us," Wei said. "So, we’ve got technology in engineering and we need to have women’s input into making products and into designing things that they use.”
Wei also said the event will emphasize the importance of critical thinking and 21st century skills that are valuable for all careers.
Nearly 450 girls and parents have registered so far. The event kicks off Saturday, May 11 at 9 a.m. and applications are still open. To register, visit the Lincoln Children's Museum's website.