Barbie Mini-Camp Empowers Young Engineers at Women's History Month Celebration

Teresa Simpson

Participants in a Barbie-themed camp held March 9 at the College of Engineering raise their hands to answer a question.

In celebration of Women's History Month, the College of Engineering hosted a Barbie Mini-Camp on Saturday, March 9, welcoming 100 Girl Scouts spanning from kindergarten to eighth grade. The event aimed to inspire the girls to explore the world of engineering through hands-on projects and activities.

Dean Kim Needy, first female dean of the College of Engineering, warmly welcomed students to Barbie camp with an empowering message about women in STEM, telling participants they have great potential to contribute to the evolving landscape of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"As Girl Scouts, you're already showing great promise that you are enthusiastic and ready to lead," Needy said. "I'm so pleased to have you here today learning more about the field of engineering. Seeing you, I know that our future is bright!"

Organized by a team of educators and engineering undergraduates, the mini-camp offered an array of engaging projects designed to ignite curiosity and foster creativity. Among the highlights was a civil engineering project led by civil engineering assistant professor Lei Guo.

Participants also delved into various engineering disciplines through activities such as robotic engineering, visual coding, puff mobile construction and building marble roller coasters.

The interactive nature of the projects allowed the girls to learn valuable skills and gain confidence in their abilities to tackle challenges and solve problems. Girl Scouts in attendance were able to earn one or more engineering badge, marking significant milestones in their STEM journey.

As a token of encouragement, each girl received a STEM Barbie doll, symbolizing the possibilities within the field of engineering. The initiative underscores the College of Engineering's commitment to nurturing young talent and cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment within STEM fields, particularly in engineering.

Looking ahead, the College of Engineering aims to build on the success of the Barbie Mini-Camp and continue fostering the interest, excitement and understanding of STEM among young students.