I'm speaking this week to seventh grade girls in York, Pennsylvania at a STEAM conference. This is exactly the demographic that multiple studies regarding female students' interest in math and science addresses. In seventh grade, there is a consistent drop in interest compared to male students. Why do we care? Because we have some big stuff to tackle: energy use, food production, water distribution, disease prevention, and on and on. We need young women on the team!
I'll do my best to show them how being an engineer is a helping profession. Also, I'll do my best to show them that being an engineer will make them a better drummer, poet, or dancer.
Rock on, ladies!