POWAY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT – WOMEN IN ENGINEERING DAY

A letter from the Poway Unified School District Partners in Education Program:

The Partners in Education Program is honored to receive a 2013 INCOSE STEM Grant in the amount of $550 to support our Women in Engineering Day for middle school girls.   This award helped to fund our Women in Engineering Day at Lockheed Martin on November 15, 2013.  Eighty (80) middle school girls from Black Mountain Middle School and Mesa Verde Middle School participated in this valuable STEM experience.   The day included inspiring speakers, presentations, hands-on activities, a demonstration   by the Poway High School Robotics Team, lunch, Q & As, and giveaways–a wonderful day had by all.

The goals of the Women in Engineering Day are to increase awareness among middle school girls of careers in the engineering pathway, to provide a look at a day as a woman engineer in the workplace environment, and to inspire and motivate girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Research has shown that middle school students are optimally suited to being introduced to careers  in STEM.    While women comprise a growing share of the college-educated workforce, only 14 percent of engineers are women, as are just 27 percent of individuals working in computer science and math positions.  At the same time we are producing fewer engineers. The need for this profession has never been greater.

The Poway Unified School District’s Partners in Education Program recognizes the need to offer opportunities to students that provide extended learning beyond the classroom while showing relevance to classroom learning. This award provided funding for bus transportation and substitute teachers, allowing classroom teacher participation.

We greatly appreciate the support of Cubic Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and SAIC as INCOSE STEM Fundraiser contributors who also recognize the importance of providing opportunities for our students to prepare for future careers in STEM.

A presentation is attached capturing the Women in Engineering Day at Lockheed Martin.   Thank you, again, for your assistance and all the wonderful work of the INCOSE Foundation.

With gratitude,

Cora Bagley

Partners in Education Program

Poway Unified School District

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