On Oct. 16, girls in grades 7 to 10, along with their parents, took part in the first Go Eng Girl  at U of T, an event that aims to educate aspiring engineers about the exciting career opportunities that await them.

Approximately 130 girls congregated at the Sanford Fleming Building, where they participated in a host of Engineering-oriented activities put together by the Engineering Student Outreach Office.

“I thought it went extremely well. The whole idea of Go ENG Girl is to encourage girls by giving them the opportunity to see that they can be very successful in this field,” said Dawn Britton, Associate Director, Engineering Student Outreach Office.

That message was delivered with the help of Assistant Professor Aimy Bazylak (MIE), Engineering alumnae Brenna Hanwell (EngSci, 0T6) and Katherine Woodward (ECE, 0T7), who spoke at Go ENG Girl.

Among the many activities that took place, the students were split into small groups and then collaborated with U of T Engineering undergrads in a hands-on workshop. Using marbles and insulation tubes, the girls worked together to create, and then present, a model roller coaster.

Parents were treated to an information session and Q & A with Britton and Janet Hunter, Associate Director, Engineering Student Recruitment and Retention Office (ESRRO).

In partnership with the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE), Go ENG Girl is part of a provincial initiative to promote and inspire young girls considering a career in Engineering. The event also gives the students and their parents the knowledge they need in order to choose appropriate courses for the study of Engineering at the post-secondary level.