WMHS seniors Kaila Stevens (left) and Courtney Sigloh (right)
Two days on a university campus with tours, lectures, ice cream social, scavenger hunt, design/build team challenge, and an all-male a capella group serenade; not a bad way to spend a weekend for two high school senior women! BRVGS students Courtney Sigloh and Kaila Stevens jumped into these activities November 9th and 10th at the University of Virginia in order to explore their futures in the field of engineering.
The experience was sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at UVA as part of their commitment to increase the representation of women in engineering. The group hosts female junior and senior high school students for a weekend on Grounds exploring majors and careers in engineering. The program includes informative speakers and hands-on activities to heighten interest in technology-related fields, opportunities to meet professors and students, and introductions to the nine engineering disciplines studied at UVA. Participants are housed in University dorms.
Courtney and Kaila, 12th graders at William Monroe High School in Greene County, found out about the program through information sent by BRVGS director Marc Carraway. Their interest was peaked. “I wanted to learn more specifics about the School of Engineering at UVA and it’s differences with other engineering schools,” Kaila said. Courtney agreed and added that she also wanted to engage with other high school females that shared her interest in math and science.
One hovercraft design/build challenge product
One of the highlights of the weekend was the design/build challenge. Participants were split into teams and charged with creating a working hovercraft using unconventional items such as styrofoam plates/bowls, circuits, and motors. According to Courtney, “Our hovercraft ended up working...kinda.”
Many ideas and encounters impacted the two high school seniors during the SWE program. “When talking to the student and teacher panel, each made an emphasis of studying what you love. It was apparent in talking to them that each were so passionate about what they studied and researched, “ Kaila said. Courtney learned a lot about “how you can mix and match different engineering fields to create a major that really reflects your interests and career aspirations.”
Congratulations to these two young women for making the effort to learn more about their opportunities for the future!