Greensboro, NC – April 5th began early for the student section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

By 7:30 am the aggie SWE members were gathering in the McNair lobby to set-up for the arrival and sign in of almost 80 pre-registered Junior Girl Scouts, grades 3-5 from the Tarheel Triad Council.

NCA&T's College of Engineering SWE hosted an event for Girl Scouts that started at 8:45 am and culminated in an awards celebration at 1:00 pm in the McNair Auditorium.

Participants had a chance to rotate through three different stations:
1. Liquid Chromatography (Chemical Engineering) 2. Bridge building (Civil/Architectural Engineering) and 3. The Toyota Technology Challenge (Industrial Eng).

The last station was a race to efficiently build the most cars according to supply and demand.
The positive energy in that room was evident as the girls competed against another team as they improved the assembly line.

Toyota Motor Corporation was more than just a financial partner in the event; corporate members flew in to join in the excitement of the event.
The Toyota Corporation was so impressed they have already generously agreed to sponsor next year’s event! In addition the SWE members shared their excitement over Engineering as their choice of college major and career choice.

“This is one of many ways that the SWE chapter helps spark young women’s interest in engineering,” said Dr. Cindy Waters, Mechanical Engineering faculty member and SWE Advisor. “It is essential to introduce young women to the exciting possibilities of engineering and see what these many fields have to offer.” “It is important to note that this is a student-run event,” said Dr. Waters, “We have a really devoted team of undergraduate students, who have been planning this for months.”

Each scout left with a goody bag containing a copy of Engineering Go For It , a colorful inspiring magazine designed to attract students, counselors, parent and teachers to the exciting world of engineering, http://www.engineering-goforit.com, a SWE/Girl Scout patch, SWE pens and a t-shirt of their own creation. In addition to Claire jewelry store gift cards, Toyota provided backpacks, and book-lights as room prizes. The morning may have been cloudy and grey but everyone left with their spirits bright.

Afterwards, we received this wonderful letter from a troop Leader:

Dr. Waters, I want to thank you and the young women who are members of the Society of Women Engineers for your efforts in hosting the workshop on Saturday. I need to make sure that anyone and everyone who was involved knows that the workshop was definitely the best experience that my girls have had. The content of all the workshops was interesting and fun for the girls and the timing seemed appropriate in every case. Even the scheduling was well thought out, with the lunch break coming at just the right time for girls who normally have lunch at school around 11:30. But probably one of the most outstanding and remarkable issues was the way that the young women interacted with the girls. They treated them with respect. They were warm and friendly, open and sharing. They went the extra mile when they sat down on the floor with the girls at lunch time joining them for pizza, bonding, and casual conversation.

I guess I would have to say that everything about the day was pleasurable. We are so quick to complain when things happen that we do not like, so I think it is important to speak up when things go as well as the workshop went on Saturday. I don't know if you have any other workshops up your sleeve or any other groups like the Society of Women Engineers but if so, please keep us in mind. This was a great experience and we are truly thankful. You have unlocked a dream in the minds of many young girls who never before even thought about engineering in their future. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Greta Teasdale Leader, Junior Troop 428