News Articles
U of G Hosts Annual Go ENG Girl
BY DEIRDRE HEALEY
Guelph is one of 15 Ontario universities hosting Go ENG Girl, a free one-day event for girls in grades 7 to 10 and their parents that showcases career opportunities in engineering.
The event runs Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Thornbrough Building and gives girls and their parents a chance to hear success stories from women studying and working in engineering.
An initiative of the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering and supported by the Council of Ontario Deans of Engineering, the program aims to enhance young women's interest in engineering and encourage enrolment in engineering programs at the post-secondary level. Currently women represent less than 20 per cent of first-year engineering students in Ontario.
“Go ENG Girl is a unique opportunity because it connects girls with women who are already succeeding in the world of engineering and enables these girls to receive a ton of insight into the many fantastic opportunities that are out there as well as any struggles they might face along the way,” says Bethany Deyell, youth outreach co-ordinator with the Chair for Women in Science and Engineering.“Since there is still a significant gender imbalance in this field, events like Go ENG Girl are essential.”
Guest speakers include Jana Hamilton, a professional environmental engineer who studied water resources engineering at U of G, and Micha Wallace, a biological engineering graduate who is now doing a master's degree in applied science.
Besides listening to speakers, the girls will be tackling hands-on projects aimed at helping them develop their skills in engineering design.
For parents, an information session will explain how they can support their daughters on the road to a career in engineering. A panel made up of faculty and students will discuss entrance requirements, academic support, campus life and career expectations.
The day will also feature displays showcasing the innovative engineering-related research and clubs at the University and a free lunch at which students, faculty and staff can talk to participants.
“Our main objective is to get girls excited about the possibilities that exist for them and to help them see they can do engineering,” says Deyell. “We hope to expose young women to a perspective they might not have considered before, showing engineering as a caring profession that involves people, social responsibility and the design of products that are really relevant to their daily lives.”
Participants must register online at www.ospe.on.ca/goenggirl. For more information about the U of G event, visit the registration website and click on the Guelph link.