High School Girls Design Toys in UB Summer Engineering Workshop

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- While most teenagers were hanging out with their friends this summer, 13 ambitious young women proved that engineering is not just a career for men at the University at Buffalo's 2009 NYSCEDII (New York State Center for Engineering Design and Industrial Innovation) Cyber Engineering Workshop.

"I wasn't sure about being an engineer," said Dana Voll. "I took the workshop to see if I was interested."

Girls ranging from sophomores to seniors attended the program held in Norton Hall in August, which allowed them to explore the field of engineering. They got a head start on understanding the technology and skills engineering involves by working with professional engineers from Fisher-Price. They learned how to visually present data on a computer and brainstorm new products.

"The workshop provides young women with the opportunity to both see and experience engineering design using the latest technologies," said Ken English, deputy director of NYSCEDII. "Rather than offer a series of presentations and tours, we actively challenge the girls with a series of design exercises that help demonstrate that engineering is about developing an understanding about how decisions will impact a product's design."

The workshop provided the students with the basic knowledge of the tools engineers use. It touched on a variety of topics, such as computer graphics, motion control and virtual prototyping, which most high schools do not teach.

"There is a class in high school for almost every career, but no class for engineering," said Gabrielle Kozik, who participated in the program.

One day during the program, the girls worked in teams to develop a toy that can move a small sphere a short distance using the Fisher-Price "TRIO" products. They used their knowledge, as well as their imagination to create the toy. Some of the teams created catapults. One invention was even inspired by Michael Jackson's song "Billie Jean." The session, led by a Fisher-Price product engineer James Meade, was designed to show the girls how new toys are created. Assisting him was a group of enthusiastic Fisher-Price electrical, audio, mechanical and music engineers who volunteered at the session.

When it was time to test the toys, the young women and the staff members from Fisher-Price were cheering and laughing. To test accuracy, the teams shot the sphere at a small toy person in the middle of the floor. The girls were having fun, but also learning how engineers brainstorm ideas for a new product. At the end, the winners were awarded gift cards and the others received prizes from Fisher-Price.

"It's a ton of fun. The day just flew by," said Voll.

Girls who completed the workshop are: Taylor Ferguson of Orchard Park, Orchard Park High School; Rebecca Fultz of Lewiston, Lewiston-Porter High School; Siobhan Hacker of Holland, Holland High School; Tyler Hayes of Amherst, Sweet Home High School; Katherine Hoerner of Williamsville, Williamsville East High School; Stephanie Kong of East Amherst, Clarence Central High School; Gabrielle Kozik of East Amherst, Holy Angels Academy; Liz Larimore of Newfane, Newfane Central High School; Julia Morrissey of Buffalo, City Honors; Colleen Reidy of Williamsville, Holy Angels Academy; Abigail Spohn of Getzville, Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart; Dana Voll of East Amherst, Clarence Central High School; and Latesia Manuel of Buffalo, City Honors School at School 8.

Two alums from previous workshops -- Nichaela Bald, now a UB undergraduate from Lockport, and Meagan Swartz from North Tonawanda High School -- used their experience to help the young women.

The program was guided by research scientists, staff and students from NYSCEDII, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering in the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Fisher-Price, General Mills, Lockheed Martin and Praxair took part in sponsoring the workshop.

The workshop began in 2001 and recently completed its ninth year. It now has a Facebook page that allows past, present and future workshop attendees to join to discuss the program and connect with other girls who share an interest in engineering.

"The feedback I have received is very positive," said English.

The program has encouraged many girls already. Liz Larimore emailed English to thank him for admitting her into the program. She explained how wonderful it was to have the opportunity to learn about engineering and how much she enjoyed working with the other. Many of the other girls felt the same way.

"This workshop was a very valuable experience from which I took away more knowledge and understanding about engineering than I ever had before," said Katie Hoerner.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.