PAPER TOWER ENGINEERING
A HANDS-ON INTRODUCTION TO THE GRAND
CHALLENGES OF ENGINEERING IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Tricia Berry
UT Austin Women in Engineering Program
Texas Girls Collaborative Project
txgcp.org
Overview
Introduction
Paper Tower Activity
Grand Challenges of
Engineering in the 21st
Century
Changing the
Conversation
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Paper Tower Activity
Build the tallest freestanding tower
possible with the materials provided
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Eiffel Tower
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La Torre di Pisa
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Engineering Design Process
Ask
Imagine
Plan
Create
Improve
Define the problem
Gather pertinent
information
Generate multiple
solutions
Analyze and select
a solution
Test and implement
the solution
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UT Tower
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Engineering Grand Challenges
st
for the 21 Century
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Engineering Grand Challenges
st
for the 21 Century
Make solar energy economical
Manage the nitrogen cycle
Advance health informatics
Prevent nuclear terror
Advance personalized learning
Provide energy from fusion
Provide access to clean water
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Engineering Grand Challenges
st
for the 21 Century
Engineer better medicines
Secure cyberspace
Engineer the tools of scientific discovery
Develop carbon sequestration methods
Restore and improve urban
infrastructure
Reverse-engineer the brain
Enhance virtual reality
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Engineering
Grand
Challenges
for the 21st
Century
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CHANGING THE CONVERSATION:
MESSAGES FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC
UNDERSTANDING OF ENGINEERING
National Academy Of Engineering (NAE) Report
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12187
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Youth today...
Teens have limited understanding of
engineering or engineers (or STEM)
Want well-paying jobs that make a
difference
See engineers (or STEM workers) as
helping people, but not directly
See engineers (or STEM workers) as desk
jockeys, disconnected from people
Few teens (<15%) describe
engineering as nerdy or boring
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Boys vs. Girls
Both believe engineering is a very good career choice
African American boys (more than girls) think salary
extremely important to job choices
African American girls want a job that makes a
difference
Hispanic girls (more than boys) think engineers are
nerdy and boring
Hispanic boys are more likely to believe engineering has
a positive effect on people’s everyday lives
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(or STEM)
Engineering Messages Recommendations
^
Stop reinforcing the images of
‘nerdy and boring’
Stop focusing on math and
science as the needed inputs
and instead focus on:
Outputs
Career opportunities
Making a difference in the world
Use the word create, not build
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(or STEM)
Engineering Messages Recommendations
^
Use images of people, not things: especially
avoid using gears and mechanical looking things
Use the following five words in describing
engineering: discovery, design, imagination,
innovation, contribution
Describe engineer as creative problem solvers,
essential to health, happiness and safety
Emphasize that engineers shape the future
^
(and scientists)
txgcp.org


The TxGCP connects organizations and
individuals across Texas committed to
informing and motivating girls to pursue
careers in science, technology, engineering
and mathematics (STEM).

Sign up to receive the TxGCP eNewsletter
Learn about STEM activities, webinars, events across the state & beyond
Learn about research and resources about STEM outreach & education
Sign up on the NGCP Program Directory
Share resources and gain access to collaborative partners
Become eligible for mini-grants
Join a Regional K-12 STEM Outreach Group
Connect in your region with K12 STEM activities, volunteers, resources:
Central Texas, DFW, East Texas, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, West Texas
http://www.txgcp.org  STEM@txgcp.org


The TxGCP connects organizations and
individuals across Texas committed to
informing and motivating girls to pursue
careers in science, technology, engineering
and mathematics (STEM).

Participate in Water Works Underwater Robotics Program
Have access to LEGO robotics curriculum, software and materials
Be a part of a national NSF-funded project and be a leader in Texas
Participate in TechBridge Role Model Training
Have access to online and in-person role model resources, curriculum
Be a part of a national NSF-funded project and be a leader in Texas
Participate in SciGirls Curriculum Training
Have access to online and in-person hands-on activities, resources, curriculum
Participate in K-12 STEM Outreach Forums
Explore regional connections and resources in informal networking events
Use TxGCP as a STEM Resource and Connector
http://www.txgcp.org  STEM@txgcp.org
Thank You!
Tricia Berry, tsberry@mail.utexas.edu
Katie Kizziar, ktk@mail.utexas.edu
Kristian Trampus, kristian.trampus@gmail.com
txgcp.org