The Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park is hosting a free event designed to encourage local girls to pursue a career in engineering on Saturday.
Executive Director Katherine Albion said engineering isn't about just building bridges anymore, engineers write computer software and design medical devices among other things.
"Go Eng Girl is a provincial initiative for girls in Grades 7 to 10," said Albion. "The event that we're holding here Saturday is organized by Western Engineering outreach. We'll be having panel discussions with professional engineers for the parents and girls to learn more about engineering and then we'll also have some hands-on activities for the girls, such as a solar-powered car challenge, coding motors and tour of our research park labs and pilot plants."
Albion said this is the third annual event.
"We've seen some familiar faces over the years, so we look forward to see many of the girls returning again this year. The girls always learn a lot when they come here. It's a new opportunity, a very valuable experience for them. Just to learn about some of the options available for them that they may not have considered in the past and also to learn more about engineering."
Those interested in attending are asked to register here.
"At 9 a.m. we'll have an engineering overview and then we'll have two hours of hands-on activities, a panel discussion with experienced engineers, for the girls and their parents to ask questions, and then the keynote speaker will be one of NOVA Chemicals Process Improvement Engineers."
The event, sponsored by NOVA Chemicals, will wrap up with lunch.
