Encouraging future female engineers
North Penn High School, Drexel University Society of Women Engineers host program
Last night, the North Penn School District partnered with the Drexel University Society of Women Engineers (SWE) to host an interactive program for girls in grades seven through nine interested in studying engineering courses in high school and college.
The program, which was made possible through a fund from Merck & Co., came about when NPSD STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Curriculum Supervisor Ketty Kaminsky realized the need to en-
gage more female students in math and science courses and reached out to Drexel University.
“As a mom of two female engineers, I saw the need to increase the awareness and interest of these programs,” said Kaminsky, who added that she was thrilled with the night’s turnout.
Approximately 100 young women from all three North Penn School District middle schools attended the program, which was designed to educate the girls, as well as their parents, on the exciting opportunities available to them at the high school level and beyond.
Volunteers of SWE, alongside North Penn teachers, within the Engineering Education department introduced the girls and their parents to six different types of engineering; biomedical engineering, civil engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
In addition to meeting with more than a dozen ambitious and well-accomplished female students
from the Drexel Engineering Program, NPSD students participated in hands-on activities and small group discussions.
Working in groups, as well as individually, the girls was challenged with several critical thinking activities, such as constructing straw towers, hoop gliders, breadboards, and more. Drexel volunteers and North Penn teachers assisted.
“My biggest goal is for the girls to get excited about engineering and about problem solving because we need their expertise in these areas,” said Kaminsky.
While the girls worked in the classrooms, parents attended an informational session on STEM, The North Penn High School Engineering Academy.
The academy is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program offered within the Engineering Education department that is designed to introduce unique learning endeavors that will challenge and engage students in meaningful and rigorous problem solving activities. The hands-on, project-based activities engage students on multiple levels, exposing them to subjects they may not typically purse at the high school level.
The academy provides North Penn students with a strong foundation and confidence to achieve their academic goals in any chosen field of study and establish a proven path to college and career success in STEM related industries.
While this was the first year in which Drexel’s University Society of Women Engineers and NPHS’s Engineering Academy worked together for this type of program, Kaminsky is confident that it won’t be the last.
“We will definitely be working with them again,” she said.
For more information on this program, contact Kaity Andrey at andreykm@ npenn.org or 215-853-1032.
Students interested in joining STEM, the engineering academy, can apply online at www.northpennengineering.org.
Additional questions regarding the academy can be directed to Mr. Michael Boyer, the North Penn Technology and Engineering Education department chair, at boyerma@npenn.org.