Approximately 100 Girl Scouts from the Coastal Pines Council attended the School of Engineering’s “Engineering Extravaganza” at Campbell University on Saturday.
The Scouts learned about engineering careers and participated in design activities — such as making squishy circuits out of Play-Doh, designing cell phone stands out of aluminum foil and popscicle sticks, making goop and designing and shooting rockets. The girls also experimented with various combinations of liquids and solids to determine which one makes them best rocket fuel.
“As a former Girl Scout myself, we at Campbell Engineering were delighted to bring these girls to college for the day to learn about all of the cool things that engineers do,” the school’s founding dean, Jenna Carpenter, said. “We want to expose them to engineering design and let them experience the thrill of making working circuits and mini-rockets that are attractive and fun.”
Seventeen Campbell Engineering Majors served as mentors for the day, which was led by a faculty team that included Carpenter, Jacqueline Burgher, Ana Rynearson and Lynn Albers. Scouts earned their “engineering fun patch” at the end of the day’s activities.
“The visit, for me, was very nostalgic,” said engineering major Rachel Plasters. “I remember when I was their age and how interested I was in math and science. It makes me miss being young and energetic. It’s so inspiring to see young girls find out what interests them early on.”
