EDGE gives area high school girls a taste of engineering
Michele Cannistraci, physics and technology teacher at Colonie High School, leads an engineering discussion at this year's camp. |
With women comprising less than 20 percent of the engineering enrollment population nationwide, experts have tried different approaches to boost participation.
Since 2002, Union has hosted a two-week residential summer camp, “Educating Girls for Engineering” (EDGE), as one way to inspire high school girls to consider careers in engineering.
This year's program wrapped up Friday, July 27.
“The low percentages of women entering the engineering field causes a problem for the profession and the nation,” said Cherrice A. Traver, dean of engineering. “The EDGE program was developed to introduce young women to the exciting opportunities and career options that engineering offers, and to plant seeds at a time when students are considering paths for their future.”
During the two weeks, 20 students from area high schools designed, built and adapted toys for children with disabilities from the Northwoods Health System in Niskayuna.
EDGE participants Nadia Nazbar ,16, Emily Zalewski, 15, and Bethany Kroese, 17, adapted a "Magic School Bus" for patients with low motor-coordination skills. |
The re-engineered toys were presented to the children at Northwoods on the camp's final day.
“Northwoods Health System’s medical professionals will share their expertise to help young women understand and value the ways in which the field of engineering can enhance the lives of children with various medical complexities,” said Michelle Durling, a registered nurse and pediatric unit nurse manager.
Linda G. Almstead, computer science lecturer, and James N. Hedrick, lecturer in electrical and computer engineering, taught a robotics course, while Gale H. Keraga, academic counselor and dean for undergraduate education, instructed students on communication and public speaking. Student volunteers from the College assisted with the camp, along with teachers from Shenendehowa, Burnt Hills and South Colonie High School.
Kathleen Tucker, 17, Emily Garrant, 17, Claire Kwong, 15, and Imbi Salasoo, 16, present their musical, vibrating pig to three-year-old Alexander. |
Participants also took field trips to Extreme Molding LLC and Plug Power, and attended a networking dinner featuring local women engineers.
“EDGE does more than introduce young women to the variety of disciplines engineering offers,” said Jenny L. Moon ’03, design engineer at John M. McDonald Engineering and coordinator of EDGE. “The activities and networking opportunities demonstrate the impact students can have on society and in people’s daily lives.”
EDGE is supported by a grant from the Northrop Grumman Foundation.
For more information, contact Traver at (518) 388-6530 or Moon at (518) 382-1774, or visit http://engineering.union.edu/edge/.