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A record number of students throughout Northeast Ohio had no problem picturing themselves as engineers April 19 during Goodyear’s Engineering Career Day for Young Women.
Approximately 540 young women in grades 6 through 12 registered for the all-day event at Goodyear Hall, which this year was themed "Picture Yourself as an Engineer."
In past years, the event has drawn between 100 and 150 participants. This year, event organizers challenged themselves to make this the largest crowd in the event’s history.
"The response was tremendous, and you could see how engaged the students were in the activities," said Brandy Moorhead, event co-chair and project manager for Goodyear's original equipment customers. "If this event is any indication, women will be better represented in engineering fields for decades to come."
Throughout the day, students alternated between hands-on activities and lively presentations that helped them understand the impact engineers have on our lives and the wide range of career opportunities. For example, a team from Rockwell Automation performed on stage the story of "Yesterday Girl" and "Today Girl" at the beach – demonstrating somewhat comically how breakthroughs in engineering have caused the beach experience to change dramatically over the past 50 years.
Also, Justine Johannes, a senior manager for the Materials Synthesis and Processing organization at Sandia National Laboratories, shared her story about becoming an engineer at a time when few women chose the profession.
For parents, financial aid counselors were on hand to share tips on paying for college and obtaining scholarships and grants.
"I really enjoyed the program. The companies did a wonderful job of explaining the opportunities that are available in engineering," said Julia Hershey, a junior at Our Lady of the Elms High School in Akron. "I think I gained a better understanding of what exactly engineers do and how women play a part in this career."
Participants in the event included Rockwell Automation, The Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, CT Consultants, Lockheed Martin, NASA Glenn Research Center, Timken, Case Western Reserve University, Northwestern University, The University of Akron College of Engineering and Women in Engineering Program, the University of Akron: Summit College, the Society of Automotive Engineer (University of Akron Formula Team), the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers (Northeast Ohio).
"This program would not be as successful, if it wasn’t for the enthusiastic support we received from other companies, universities and organizations," said Rachel Barnette, event co-chair and chemical engineer in material development at Goodyear.
A record number of students throughout Northeast Ohio had no problem picturing themselves as engineers April 19 during Goodyear’s Engineering Career Day for Young Women.
Approximately 540 young women in grades 6 through 12 registered for the all-day event at Goodyear Hall, which this year was themed "Picture Yourself as an Engineer."
In past years, the event has drawn between 100 and 150 participants. This year, event organizers challenged themselves to make this the largest crowd in the event’s history.
"The response was tremendous, and you could see how engaged the students were in the activities," said Brandy Moorhead, event co-chair and project manager for Goodyear's original equipment customers. "If this event is any indication, women will be better represented in engineering fields for decades to come."
Throughout the day, students alternated between hands-on activities and lively presentations that helped them understand the impact engineers have on our lives and the wide range of career opportunities. For example, a team from Rockwell Automation performed on stage the story of "Yesterday Girl" and "Today Girl" at the beach – demonstrating somewhat comically how breakthroughs in engineering have caused the beach experience to change dramatically over the past 50 years.
Also, Justine Johannes, a senior manager for the Materials Synthesis and Processing organization at Sandia National Laboratories, shared her story about becoming an engineer at a time when few women chose the profession.
For parents, financial aid counselors were on hand to share tips on paying for college and obtaining scholarships and grants.
"I really enjoyed the program. The companies did a wonderful job of explaining the opportunities that are available in engineering," said Julia Hershey, a junior at Our Lady of the Elms High School in Akron. "I think I gained a better understanding of what exactly engineers do and how women play a part in this career."
Participants in the event included Rockwell Automation, The Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, CT Consultants, Lockheed Martin, NASA Glenn Research Center, Timken, Case Western Reserve University, Northwestern University, The University of Akron College of Engineering and Women in Engineering Program, the University of Akron: Summit College, the Society of Automotive Engineer (University of Akron Formula Team), the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers (Northeast Ohio).
"This program would not be as successful, if it wasn’t for the enthusiastic support we received from other companies, universities and organizations," said Rachel Barnette, event co-chair and chemical engineer in material development at Goodyear.
