College of Engineering introduces Girl Scouts to engineering

On Saturday, January 19, UA’s College of Engineering hosted Girls Innovating in Real Life (G.I.R.L), an event for area Girl Scouts affiliated with Girl Scouts of NE Ohio. Thirty Girl Scout Juniors spent the day in the Student Union exploring the exciting world of engineering.

The event was an opportunity for Girl Scouts interested in STEM to make progress on earning their mechanical engineering badge. The girls participated in a fun-filled, interactive day of activities including a crane building workshop, model car building workshop, and creating a mini drawing robot. Girls interacted with UA engineering students. 

“Creating an environment where girls can build confidence in their abilities to innovate is so important,” says Heidi Cressman, Director of the Women in Engineering Program. “This is where the efforts of The University of Akron’s Women in Engineering Program and the interests of Girl Scouts intersect.  Working together, we are encouraging girls to pursue strong careers where they will develop solutions to the world’s greatest engineering challenges.”

The event was organized by Heidi Cressman with special thanks to Shawnn Foster, Nicole Klenotic, Tayana Settles and Mandy Pavlicko for their help with the day and to Jillian Hilenski and Amanda Jancewicz for setting up the “We are the 16%" photo display. This event is one of the over 10 events the Women in Engineering Program regularly hosts each year to attract more women to the field of engineering.