Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day: a How-to Guide

1. Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day: a How-to Guide Kim Bishop Kaelly Farnham Laura McCarter October 23, 2014

2. Page Kim Bishop Background I studied Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Graduated in 1999, BSME Ive always loved designing and building things, so engineering was a great fit. Several of my hobbies are engineering related Career at Agilent/Keysight Joined in November 2000 as a Mechanical Production Engineer, supporting worldwide manufacturing. Moved into R&D in 2005. Currently I design mobile phone test equipment. Favorite Part of IGE Seeing the creativity and the energy of the girls and how they come together as a team. Kim Bishop Mechanical Engineer Keysight Mobile Broadband Santa Rosa, CA 2

3. Page Kaelly Farnham Background - Studied mathematics and music at College of St. Benedict (St. Joseph, MN) - M.S. in Mathematical Biology from University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Taught high school mathematics for 2 years in Dallas, TX Career at Agilent/Keysight - Joined in August 2012 as a Product Marketing Engineer, specializing in eMarketing Favorite Part of IGE -Watching the girls work though challenges as a team Kaelly Farnham Product Marketing Engineer, eMarketing Keysight EEsof EDA Santa Rosa, CA 3

4. Page Laura McCarter Background - Both my parents were engineers and worked for Lockheed Martin - I knew early that I wanted to be an engineer so I started taking software programming classes in high school - Studied computer science and math at Sonoma State University and graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science Career at Agilent/Keysight - Joined in 2005 when I graduated college. I still write calibration software but I also do project management Favorite Part of IGE - My favorite part of IGE is the moment when a young woman realizes that engineering isnt just for men and that she too can be an engineer! Laura McCarter Software Engineer Keysight AOF Santa Rosa, CA 4

5. Page What is Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day? IGE is a day to show 6th-12th grade girls what its like to be an engineer Students work in teams on an engineering challenge http://www.discovere.org/our-programs/girl-day also known as IGE or Girl Day 5

6. Page What happens during Girl Day? Welcome Activities Kick-Off Introduce activity ActivityBuild time! Competition/judging Lunch Speaker panel Keynote Speaker Awards and Prizes Day of Event Schedule 6

7. Page Todays Plan 7 Its a how-to workshop, be prepared to be active! Share our IGE stories History Successes Failures Tell you how-to design your own! Generate project ideas Gather materials Find volunteers Recruit participants Plan a successful day

8. Page History of IGE at Keysight/Agilent Celebrated our 10th anniversary in 2013 In early years, we were doing well to get 60 participants. Last year, we had to turn away that many. Led by team of WLD (Womens Leadership and Development) members Sponsored by Keysight/Agilent corporate 2004-present

9. Page What makes this event different? Rather than having a science fair-like event, its a competition. The competitive aspect really motivates the participants to try hard and work together. Everyone gets involved, its in no way a passive activity. Participants are intentionally placed in groups with people they dont know. A range of ages are put together, so the older girls can mentor the younger ones. Strangers at the beginning of the day are teammates and friends by the end of the day. Girls get to connect with industry experts, each team gets an adult coach. 9

10. Page How-to get the word out 10 Talk to your local press

11. Page How-to design the project Make it interesting and fun. Would you enjoy doing the project? Design a project that can be done by 12-18 year olds. Not overly simple, but not so difficult they cant accomplish the task in 2-3 hours. Think ahead about how the participants can get around the rules. Do a test build with the core team early in the activity design phase. This is helpful in working out the bugs and making improvements to your activity. Some projects were re-designed after problems arose during the test build (i.e. Marble Run) A second test build may be necessary if the project is significantly re-designed. Lets have some fun! 11

12. Page Marble Run Goal: Longest time to make the marble travel from top to bottom 12

13. Page Wind Powered Sail Cars 13 Goal: power a car with wind to go the longest distance

14. Page Egg Drop 14 Goal: Create a device to drop an egg safely to the ground

15. Page Tin Foil Boat 15 Goal: Create a boat that can carry the most marbles across a pool

16. Page Ping Pong Launcher 16 Goal: Accurately launch a ping pong ball at a target

17. Page Things to keep in mind The weather Tin foil boats--Having an outdoor event in February was a rather soggy experience. Keep it simple Radioactive ping pong balls--We made the rules too restrictive and the teams got frustrated. Avoid projects that may cause injury Mouse trap cars--scrapped because building materials were too flimsy and risk of injury from traps (Murphy was here!) 17

18. Page How-to learn from our mistakes Think ahead about how the participants can get around the rules. Watch out for overly helpful coaches Limit parental involvement Discourage attendance by younger siblings Avoid paper registration forms 18 Dont be afraid to make your own

19. Page How-to get more ideas Agilent After School is a hands-on science program targeted at children from the ages of 9 to13 years. Materials include hands-on science experiments that have been designed as complete "programs- in-a-box. Kits include all of the tools and materials to lead the younger students through the various science experiments. All kits are available here: http://www.abdi- ecommerce10.com/swe/s- 2-agilent-kits.aspx 19 Use the Agilent After-School Kits for starters

20. Page What kind of materials should you use? 20 Office supplies, craft items, etc.

21. Page Nothing to it but to do it! Each of you have been given 2 sheets or paper and a pen/pencil Please make a team with the 2-3 people sitting nearest you The goal is to build a paper plane that will fly the furthest horizontal distance When time is up, teams will take turns flying their planes. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, third place, and most creative. Winners will be announced at the end of the presentation. NOTE: no electronic devices may be used to help design your plane Lets have a Paper Airplane Contest! 21

22. Page Goal: Fly the Furthest 22 The Rules: 1. You will have 10 minutes to design, build, and test your plane 2. Your final design may consist of a single sheet of paper, nothing else 3. Each airplane must have team members names written on it, and a name for the plane/team. 4. Have one team member place a sticky note with your teams name where your plane lands

23. Page How-to plan Start early! 6 Months Before Determine event date Provide budget estimate to funding source 6 Weeks Before Set up weekly meeting schedule Brainstorm activity idea Assign core team roles Begin recruiting volunteers Notify schools and student groups 5 Weeks Before Finalize activity Create preliminary flyer/announcement Volunteer update (how many?) Notify facilities, security, and PR rep Inventory supplies 4 Weeks Before Activity details, first draft rules, and test build Make kit material list and rule changes Volunteer update (how many?) Gather handouts for the welcome packets Purchase/order prizes, giveaways, and gifts Reserve room for the event Send out invitations/flyers/web registration info3 Weeks Before Second draft of activity rules and material list Volunteer update (how many?) Create coachs guidelines Gather all activity supplies Poster update (on- site info posters/signs) Create awards 2 Weeks Before Finalize activity rules Coach and volunteer training Package up activity kits Purchase any missing activity materials and put in kits Print welcome kits Volunteer update (how many?) Attendee numbers (check in with student groups) Finalize room arrangements 1 Week Before Final volunteer update Final attendee count Put girls into teams/groups Order food for day of event Create presentation for welcome, activity rules, and agenda Contact panel speakers, confirm time. Email reminder to volunteers with times, locations, roles. Rules out to all coaches and judges. Confirm room and A/V equipment setup Ask for walkie-talkies, clipboards for day of event Create spreadsheet for scores 1 Day Before Buy/pick up all food Give list of attendees and volunteers to security Print nametags for attendees and volunteers

24. Page How-to organize logistics Find a location that will comfortably host all of the participants and volunteers. If your organizations does not have a facility large enough, try a school gym/auditorium or a community center Ensure A/V equipment is available and set up Make sure room/tables are set up to give teams enough room to work 24 Consider facilities, location, and equipment

25. Page How-to get your best friends involved Ask your friends and coworkers, face-to-face or via email Social media Company email distribution lists Involve community-focused groups (not just engineers) Example Core team members: Event Leader, Activity Leader, Recruiter 25 Gather a dynamite core team

26. Page How to get ALL your friends involved Volunteers can come from the group organizing the event, parents, community organization leaders, or anyone else who would like to help. No engineering experience is required. Company newsletters, flyers, wearing event T-shirts, and persuading your coworkers are all effective We had about 60 volunteers for 120 participants. Example roles: Coach Judge Guest speaker 26 Recruit volunteers from your company and community

27. Page How-to recruit participants Think big! Talk to teachers or friends with kids Advertise in the local newspaper, use social media Online registration is highly recommended (not Community groups such as the Girl Scouts, technology oriented school programs, and local junior high and high schools are good places to reach out to participants. 27 Get the word out in the community

28. Page How-to have a great morning kickoff Give out welcome packets with fun activities Showcase your companys products or other engineering-related items Invite an inspirational industry speaker 28 (besides copious amounts of coffee)

29. Page How-to inspire students with real engineering stories 3-5 people of a variety of engineering backgrounds Preferably women, but open to anyone who is interested in speaking Allow time for Q&A after all speakers are done 29 Invite a dynamic speaker panel

30. Page How-to introduce principles of engineering Give prizes for these categories Plan the project with a re-build session Train coaches and have them mentor their teams 30 Collaboration, teamwork, creativity, & more

31. Page How-to fund your event Get a sponsor (corporate, community, or even a fund raiser) For any project, these things will be required: Activity supplies/materials Printed materials for participants Recruiting and publicity Other highly recommended items: Giveaways Prizes Optional items Food for participants and volunteers Thank you celebration or gifts for volunteers 31 And create a smart budget

32. Page Budget Detail IGE Budget 2014 Available funds: $3,100.00 Actual Expenses NOTES Expenses: Activity Supplies $304.52 Inventory on hand Printing Packets $78.26 Prizes $505.66 Scalable Giveaways $377.66 Scalable Food $922.00 Optional Post IGE thank you celebration $120.00 Optional Keynote Speaker Gift $59.01 Optional Total Expenditures $2,367.11 Our budget is for 125 participants 32

33. Page How do we know IGE is making a difference? Repeat attendees Increased attendance year over year Participants still have their projects years later Participants are motivated to keep building at home Event used as a basis for high school senior projects Success story (Laura G.) 33 Reminders and success stories

34. Page Paper Airplane Winners & Awards 34

35. Page Q & A 35 All of our slides as well as project rules, budget, event planning timeline, and a recruiting spreadsheet are available on the conference website. More questions? Contact us! Kim Bishop [email protected] 707-577-5730 Kaelly Farnham [email protected] 707-577-6091 Laura McCarter [email protected] 707-577-2326

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day: a How-to Guide

Engineering

page history of ige

girl day

mechanical engineering

engineer students

page kim bishop background

page kaelly farnham

page laura mccarter

mechanical production