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Building a Brighter Future: Paper Tower Engineering Journey

Dive into the world of engineering with the Paper Tower Activity. Explore the Grand Challenges of the 21st Century and learn how to change the conversation about engineering. Discover, design, innovate, and create with the hands-on introduction presented in this program. Unleash your creativity and problem-solving skills to engineer a better tomorrow.

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Building a Brighter Future: Paper Tower Engineering Journey

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  1. Paper Tower EngineeringA Hands-on Introduction to the Grand Challenges of Engineering in the 21st Century Tricia Berry UT Austin Women in Engineering Program Texas Girls Collaborative Project

  2. Overview • Introduction • Paper Tower Activity • Grand Challenges of Engineering in the 21stCentury • Changing the Conversation

  3. Paper Tower Activity Build the tallest freestanding tower possible with the materials provided

  4. Eiffel Tower

  5. La Torre di Pisa

  6. Define the problem Gather pertinent information Generate multiple solutions Analyze and select a solution Test and implement the solution Ask Imagine Plan Create Improve Engineering Design Process

  7. UT Tower

  8. Engineering Grand Challengesfor the 21st Century

  9. Engineering Grand Challengesfor the 21st Century • Make solar energy economical • Manage the nitrogen cycle • Advance health informatics • Prevent nuclear terror • Advance personalized learning • Provide energy from fusion • Provide access to clean water

  10. Engineering Grand Challengesfor the 21st Century • Engineer better medicines • Secure cyberspace • Engineer the tools of scientific discovery • Develop carbon sequestration methods • Restore and improve urban infrastructure • Reverse-engineer the brain • Enhance virtual reality

  11. Engineering Grand Challengesfor the 21st Century

  12. Changing the Conversation:Messages for Improving Public Understanding of Engineering National Academy Of Engineering (NAE) Report http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12187

  13. Youth today... • Teens have limited understanding of engineering or engineers (or STEM) • Want well-paying jobs that make a difference • See engineers (or STEM workers)as helping people, but not directly • See engineers (or STEM workers)as desk jockeys, disconnected from people • Few teens (<15%) describe engineering as nerdy or boring

  14. Boys vs. Girls • Both believe engineering is a very good career choice • African American boys (more than girls) think salary extremely important to job choices • African American girls want a job that makes a difference • Hispanic girls (more than boys) think engineers are nerdy and boring • Hispanic boys are more likely to believe engineering has a positive effect on people’s everyday lives

  15. (or STEM) Engineering Messages Recommendations ^ • Stop reinforcing the images of ‘nerdy and boring’ • Stop focusing on math and science as the needed inputs and instead focus on: • Outputs • Career opportunities • Making a difference in the world • Use the word create, not build

  16. (or STEM) Engineering Messages Recommendations ^ • Use images of people, not things: especially avoid using gears and mechanical looking things • Use the following five words in describing engineering: discovery, design, imagination, innovation, contribution • Describe engineer as creative problem solvers, essential to health, happiness and safety • Emphasize that engineers shape the future ^ (and scientists)

  17. « « • The TxGCP connects organizations and individuals across Texas committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). • « « « • Sign up to receive the TxGCP eNewsletter • Learn about STEM activities, webinars, events across the state & beyond • Learn about research and resources about STEM outreach & education • Sign up on the NGCP Program Directory • Share resources and gain access to collaborative partners • Become eligible for mini-grants • Join a Regional K-12 STEM Outreach Group • Connect in your region with K12 STEM activities, volunteers, resources: Central Texas, DFW, East Texas, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, West Texas http://www.txgcp.org « STEM@txgcp.org

  18. « « • The TxGCP connects organizations and individuals across Texas committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). • « « « • Participate in Water Works Underwater Robotics Program • Have access to LEGO robotics curriculum, software and materials • Be a part of a national NSF-funded project and be a leader in Texas • Participate in TechBridge Role Model Training • Have access to online and in-person role model resources, curriculum • Be a part of a national NSF-funded project and be a leader in Texas • Participate in SciGirlsCurriculum Training • Have access to online and in-person hands-on activities, resources, curriculum • Participate in K-12 STEM Outreach Forums • Explore regional connections and resources in informal networking events • Use TxGCP as a STEM Resource and Connector http://www.txgcp.org « STEM@txgcp.org

  19. Thank You! Tricia Berry, tsberry@mail.utexas.edu Katie Kizziar, ktk@mail.utexas.edu Kristian Trampus, kristian.trampus@gmail.com

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