More than 100 Girl Guides clamoring to become space explorers filled the third floor of the ILC last Saturday to participate in action-packed activities held by Women in Science and Engineering (WISE).
Girls aged nine to 11 participated for the second time in the annual event, which was organized by the University’s WISE chapter and Kingston District Girl Guides of Canada. The event’s purpose is to expose girls to science and engineering and encourage their interest in these fields.
“It’s not like [science and engineering] is something you can’t do just because you’re a girl,” said Irena Doslo, Sci ’07 and a volunteer at the event.
Doslo added she believes there is a need for girls to be encouraged to pursue science, in light of the low number of girls enrolled in programs such as engineering.
Meghan Cartwright, Sci ’08 and another event volunteer, agreed. She said that because math and science can be intimidating, providing an opportunity to show the purpose of scientific formulas and laws can serve to encourage young girls to pursue science and engineering.
“This isn’t stuff we do in classrooms,” she said of the day’s science activities.
She added that the activities are designed to show subjects in the science field could be used for “for bigger and better things.”
The young girls were divided into groups and had the opportunity to participate in four different activities that each took place in different rooms. These activities were centered on baking soda and vinegar-fueled bottle rockets, star charts, the practical uses of technology and a paper plane design.
WISE President Aparna Shanker, Sci ’06, said she thinks it’s unfortunate that there aren’t more women in science programs.
“Female enrolment in science and engineering is not going up,” she said. “It makes you wonder why.
“[The girls] don’t know for sure what an engineer does—we do want them to have a good time, but at the same time we want them to know that this is what engineers do.”
Doslo said it’s important for girls to be exposed to different fields at an early age.
“When you’re a kid, you don’t know what you like,” she said. “Since kids are so curious, it’s easy to present [science] to them.” Doslo said that although not everyone will end up wanting to pursue science and engineering in the future, it’s important they’re given opportunities to develop an interest.
She said she wasn’t sure in high school that she wanted to study engineering, adding that events such as the one hosted by WISE would have been helpful in helping her make a decision. Tracey Bailey, a guider from 7th Cornwall Guides, said she’s glad the girls had the opportunity to participate in the day.
“Most haven’t been to a university campus, so it shows them a bigger world,” she said.
The participants each received two badges to add to their uniform for their attendance. The club will also be hosting their second annual science day for an older group of girls—Pathfinders, ages 12 to 15—in the winter term.
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