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I have an 11 year old daughter in the 6th grade. Unlike her outgoing mother at her age, Kariss isn’t exactly sure what she wants to do or be when she “grows up”.
What she does know is that she loves animals, anything having to do with the ocean and Hawaii. She’ll tell you herself she’s good at math and won the science award when graduating 5th grade.
And for as long as I can remember, the girl’s had an artistic gift; perhaps not the most talented artist you’ve ever seen, but boy can she color and create.
Oh, and did I mention she loves animals?
What she doesn’t love is performing, competing and failing. And unless you’re an athlete in her junior high, there aren’t a lot of opportunities to come together with peers as a part of a team.
In a world where girls are pushed towards pageants and princesses (not that there’s anything wrong with either in my book), it’s no surprise a young girl who fits the description of my daughter has a hard time envisioning exactly what field she’ll “fit” into one day.
So when I heard the profile of a young female engineer – someone who was good at math & science, but also loved art & creativity – a light went off in my head. I immediately thought to myself, “that’s my girl!” But when I tried to communicate my new-found enthusiasm to my daughter, it didn’t quite translate.
Enter SWE’s Invent It. Build It.
If you haven’t already heard, SWE’s (the Society of Women Engineers) annual conference, WE15 is coming to Nashville Oct. 22-24. WE15 will draw about 8,000 women who are professionals and collegiate with interests in engineering & technology.
A very key component of WE15 happens on Saturday. Invent it. Build it. is designed exclusively for girls grades 6-8th. As you may know, it’s been reported that girls have a tendency to shy away from careers in engineering and technology and Invent it. Build it. is working to dispel those trends.
So what exactly can you expect at Invent it. Build it.? I was wondering the same thing! Watch this 44 second video and I think you’ll get a better idea…
That was PBS’s Design Squad co-host, Deysi Melgar, who will also emcee this year’s event. Invent It. Build It. is an experience designed to encourage girls to choose a career in engineering through a three-pronged approach:
* SWE Girls Program
* Parent Educator Program (PEP)
* EXPO
The SWE Girls Program is open to girls in grades 6-8. All girls registered for the SWE Girls Program will participate in a hands-on engineering experience with members of the Society of Women Engineers.
Still curious about what goes on during Invent It. Build It.? Watch this 3 minute profile of an attendee last year as you follow her through her experience at the event:
At Invent It. Build It., the girls will:
1. Work with SWE members from around the world on hands-on engineering activities
2. Meet real engineers and learn what they do
3. Make new friends
4. Explore the Invent It. Build It. EXPO during exclusive hours to learn about clubs, camps, competitions, and much more.
5. Get an Invent It. Build It. t-shirt, bag and lots of other goodies
6. Be eligible to win raffle prizes
7. Have lunch with the SWE engineers (lunch provided)
While the girls are having fun building and inventing, parents and educators will learn about engineering careers, scholarships, college admission and resources from an amazing group of distinguished panelists. Participants will also do a hands-on engineering project that can be reproduce at home or school. Lunch and t-shirt are included.
The SWE Girls and PEP programs will run from 9am-3:30pm. Participants are asked to stay for the entire program. For those who cannot stay or fall outside of the requirements to participate, we will open the EXPO to the public from 11:00am – 1:30pm
The cost to attend the SWE Girls Program is $7 and the cost to attend PEP is $5. There is no charge to attend the public portion of the EXPO.
Financial and transportation assistance are available upon request. Please email inventitbuildit@swe.org for more information.
Invent It. Build It. Nashville 2015 Registration Details
Location: Music City Center, 201 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Date: Sat., Oct. 24
Cost: $7
Registration: Register HERE
***Early registration is encouraged as there will be no registration onsite.
***Register before September 30th to be entered into a raffle for a $100 Amazon gift card!
I was so impressed with what I’ve learned about Invent It. Build It. so far, I asked if I could giveaway (2) Family 4-packs of tickets…and SWE said yes!
While you’ll want to go ahead and tell your friends to register, make sure to also check out all the ways you can enter via Rafflecopter below…remember TWO lucky winners will each receive 4 tickets to #IIBI:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck and I look forward to seeing you & your daughters at the Music City Center in October!
Disclosure: Tickets were provided by SWE for my family and for the giveaways. I was compensated for my time in sharing about the event, but only agreed to do so after I learned about how awesome this program is and the amazing fit I believe it will be, not only for my daughter, but for many other young women in Nashville. I hope you found the information and resources above useful.
