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( Bluefield)-- Nearly 80 students from Bluefield and PikeView High Schools took part in an innovative “Girls’ Day in Engineering” program at Bluefield State College earlier this semester. The ninth grade students spent time in the BSC School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science through a program arranged by event organizer Linda Cox, in collaboration with Don Bury, BSC Professor of Architectural Engineering Technology, with assistance from Career Connections, the WomenTech Academy, and high school math and science teachers.
Bury provided an overview of career opportunities in engineering, detailing some of the achievements of BSC student teams in engineering-related academic competitions.
Dr. Bob Riggins and several students discussed the design and development of the autonomous robotic vehicles built by BSC student teams during the past two years. The College’s entries have won a handful of world titles in international competitions, and one autonomous vehicle is being built with a goal of qualifying for the 2008 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA’s) “Urban Challenge.” Additionally, the ninth grade students utilized toothpicks and marshmallows to construct bridges capable of supporting surprisingly heavy amounts of weight.
Frank Hart, Dean of the BSC School of Engineering Technology, observed that engineering firms are now actively recruiting women engineers because they want their perspective in designing and machining new products. “Women are real problem-solvers. They have strong organizational skills, and they handle stress well,” he said. The success of the initial “Girls Day in Engineering” has prompted organizers to plan a similar program for students from Princeton Senior High School and Montcalm High School later this spring.
March 6, 2007
School of Engineering Technology
and Computer Science Website
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