Deakin program encourages more girls to consider engineering

October 31, 2019 BY Klaus Nannestad

Surf Coast Secondary College student Rita Cordeiro with Deakin's Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Dr Estela Oliari Garcez.

GIRLS from secondary schools across the Geelong region took part in the Power of Engineering event last week at Deakin University.

About 100 students in total attended the October 22 event.

It was designed to showcase the many different engineering career pathways and encourages girls to consider engineering as a potential area of study beyond secondary school.

Surf Coast Secondary College year 10 student Rita Cordeiro had recently completed work experience at an automotive shop in Torquay, and said that attending the Power of Engineering event had helped her consider her future career options in the field.

“Engineering is about finding solutions to problems and it has been really nice to see everyone’s approach to problem solving and how everyone is different.”

The event included sessions with Deakin lecturer in engineering design Dr Clara Usma and workshops run by Deakin engineering students.

Australian Energy Market Operator, Regional Roads Victoria, Rail Projects Victoria and ACCIONA also provided industry insights.

In the past five years, female student enrollments at Deakin’s School of Engineering have grown by 50 per cent.