Oakland, CA -- “Boring, nerdy and meant only for boys.” Some girls may think of engineering in those terms, but not the girls participating in Chabot Space & Science Center’s Techbridge program. They will get firsthand experience on what it’s like to work as an engineer at Carollo Engineers in Walnut Creek. The job shadow will happen Thursday, February 23—Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day—a nationwide initiative to promote females in engineering, and part of National Engineers Week, February 19 – 25th. During the day, girls will tour Carollo Engineers, meet role models, shadow an engineer, and learn firsthand about the world of engineering.
“Our goal is to provide young girls with positive experiences to our growing field. With the right exposure and mentoring, we hope these girls will become aware of the exciting career opportunities in engineering and the importance of continuing their education in math and science. We are delighted to be part of this program.” Mary Clyburn, Partner/Regional Manager-Director of Recruitment, Carollo Engineers. Partnering companies will benefit by cultivating a future diversified workforce and expanding the engineering pipeline. The program’s goal is to encourage girls in engineering—a field where women comprise just 10%. Role models and career information can increase girls’ interest in engineering, reinforce the relevance of schoolwork, and provide guidance to begin planning next steps for their career goals.
In addition to Carollo Engineers, Techbridge girls will also be visiting Google, BART, and IDEO.
Carollo Engineers is an environmental consulting firm specializing in planning, designing and construction management for the water and wastewater industry. For 73 years, Carollo has been a leading expert in the field, serving public agencies, municipalities, private developers and industrial companies nationwide. Carollo has eight locations in the state, including our Walnut Creek office at 2700 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 300, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. To learn more, visit www.carollo.com.
Techbridge is a Chabot Space & Science Center after-school and summer program that engages teachers, families, role models, and corporate partners in encouraging girls in technology, science and engineering. Launched in 2000, Techbridge has reached over 1,250 students in grades 5-12 through a combination of hands-on technology projects, career exploration activities, academic counseling and leadership development. Techbridge is currently operating in five East Bay school districts—Oakland, San Lorenzo, Emeryville, Fremont, and Livermore. The program is funded by the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, S.D. Bechtel, Jr., the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, Fitzpatrick Foundation, Adobe Foundation Fund, Autodesk, and the Zonta Club of North Bay/Berkeley. Visit www.techbridgegirls.org for more information.
Chabot Space and Science Center is a 501c3 nonprofit interactive science center focusing on astronomy and the inter-relationships of all the sciences. Its observatory, planetarium, exhibits, and natural park setting are a place where a diverse population of students, teachers, and the public can imagine, understand, and learn to shape their future through science. The Center is located at 10000 Skyline Blvd. in Oakland’s Joaquin Miller Park.
For more information, call (510) 336-7300, or visit www.chabotspace.org