Inspiring the next generation of female engineers | Debbie Sterling | TEDxPSU

TEDx Talks・2 minutes read

The speaker, a female engineer, discusses the low representation of women in engineering and how cultural influences discourage young girls from pursuing math and science, leading her to create the Goldie Blocks toy to inspire their interest in the field. Despite facing challenges, she successfully launched her product through crowdfunding, demonstrating the importance of creativity in engineering and the impact of her toy on encouraging girls to see themselves as future engineers.

Insights

  • The speaker emphasizes the significant gender disparity in engineering, noting that only 11% of engineers in the U.S. are women, and stresses the importance of diverse perspectives in solving critical societal issues like global warming and medical advancements. She highlights how cultural influences, rather than biological factors, contribute to girls losing interest in math and science at a young age, advocating for the creation of engaging educational tools to inspire future generations of female engineers.
  • Through her journey, the speaker illustrates the transformative power of creativity in engineering, recounting her experience of developing Goldie Blocks, a toy designed to foster interest in engineering among girls. By combining construction play with storytelling, she successfully challenged industry stereotypes and demonstrated that engineering can be both innovative and accessible, ultimately encouraging young girls to envision themselves in engineering roles and pursue their interests without limitations.

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Recent questions

  • What is engineering in simple terms?

    Engineering is the application of science and math to solve problems and create useful products or structures. It involves designing, building, and testing various systems, from bridges to software, and requires creativity and technical skills. Engineers work in diverse fields, including civil, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, and play a crucial role in innovation and improving everyday life.

  • How can I encourage girls in STEM?

    Encouraging girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) can be achieved by providing them with engaging and relatable resources, such as toys and activities that promote problem-solving and creativity. It's important to challenge stereotypes and create an inclusive environment where girls feel confident in their abilities. Role models, mentorship, and hands-on experiences can also inspire girls to pursue interests in STEM fields, helping them see the potential for their future careers.

  • What are common stereotypes about engineers?

    Common stereotypes about engineers often depict them as predominantly male, socially awkward, and lacking creativity. These misconceptions can discourage women and girls from pursuing engineering careers. In reality, engineering is a diverse field that values creativity, collaboration, and innovative thinking. Challenging these stereotypes is essential to attract a broader range of talent and perspectives, which can lead to more effective solutions to complex societal challenges.

  • Why is diversity important in engineering?

    Diversity in engineering is crucial because it brings together different perspectives, experiences, and ideas, leading to more innovative solutions and better problem-solving. A diverse team can address a wider range of societal challenges, such as global warming and healthcare advancements, by considering various viewpoints. Additionally, fostering an inclusive environment encourages participation from underrepresented groups, which can enhance creativity and drive progress in the field.

  • How can toys influence girls' interest in engineering?

    Toys can significantly influence girls' interest in engineering by providing them with opportunities to engage in building, problem-solving, and creative play. Toys designed specifically for girls, like construction sets that incorporate storytelling, can help break down gender stereotypes and encourage girls to explore engineering concepts. By fostering spatial skills and promoting hands-on experiences, these toys can inspire young girls to envision themselves as future engineers, ultimately contributing to a more diverse engineering workforce.

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Summary

00:00

Empowering Girls Through Engineering Toys

  • The speaker, a female engineer, highlights the common stereotypes associated with engineers, noting that only 11% of engineers in the U.S. are women, emphasizing the need for diverse perspectives in engineering to address societal challenges like global warming and medical breakthroughs.
  • She recounts her childhood in Rhode Island, where she enjoyed activities like ballet and drawing, and points out that girls often lose interest in math and science around age six due to cultural influences rather than biological factors, as evidenced by a study showing girls outperformed boys in science tests globally, except in the U.S.
  • The speaker reflects on her high school experience, where her math teacher encouraged her to consider engineering, a field she initially dismissed as intimidating and male-dominated, leading her to Stanford University without a clear major.
  • At Stanford, she took an introductory engineering class (ME101) and discovered that engineering involved creativity and invention, such as building a catapult from simple materials, which changed her perception of the field.
  • Despite enjoying her major, she faced challenges in an engineering drawing class, where she struggled with perspective drawing and felt humiliated during a critique, leading her to consider quitting engineering, a common thought among female students.
  • A supportive friend encouraged her to persevere, leading her to study hard and realize that success in engineering was about effort rather than innate talent, which helped her earn her degree despite initial setbacks.
  • The speaker later learned that many girls, including herself, lacked spatial skills due to not playing with construction toys, which are often marketed to boys, prompting her to create an engineering toy for girls to foster interest in the field.
  • She developed a prototype combining construction play with storytelling, featuring a girl engineer character named Goldie Blocks, which successfully engaged young girls in building and problem-solving.
  • After receiving encouragement from a friend, she applied to a prestigious tech accelerator program but faced rejection due to her unconventional approach of integrating a book with her toy, which the judges did not understand.
  • Undeterred, she showcased her prototype at the New York Toy Fair, where she encountered skepticism from industry veterans, who revealed that the toy industry often overlooks innovative ideas for girls, reinforcing her mission to create engaging engineering toys for young girls.

13:56

Empowering Girls Through Innovative Engineering Toys

  • After facing rejection at a toy fair where construction toys for girls were deemed unsellable, the creator launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of raising $150,000 in 30 days to produce her toy, Goldie Blocks. She successfully reached her goal in just four days and ended up producing over 20,000 units, contrary to the factory's minimum order of 5,000, due to overwhelming demand from stores and parents worldwide.
  • The creator emphasizes the importance of engineering as a creative field, integrating her engineering skills with creativity to design toys that resonate with young girls, showcasing their potential beyond traditional gender roles. She shares a heartwarming story of a four-and-a-half-year-old girl who, while playing with Goldie Blocks, asked her mother if she could be an engineer, highlighting the toy's impact on encouraging girls to envision themselves in engineering roles.
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