UC holds first Women of Color in Engineering Summer Camp

More than two dozen high school students got a behind-the-scenes look into engineering, research and industry at the University of Cincinnati's first Women of Color Summer Engineering Camp.

Hosted by the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science's Office of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement, the weeklong camp aims to encourage female students of color to discover and explore pathways to a future career in engineering.

Titled “Discover the Possibilities ... Become an Engineer,” the camp demonstrates how engineering connects to the real world and helps students find resources they need to explore a STEM career.

Students interacted with 24 panelists and speakers from a broad range of industries or research fields, including 15 women engineers of color, students and faculty members and several empowerment speakers.

“All the speakers were insightful and amazing people. I learned so much about the different fields of engineering.” said Lavina Grzymajlo, a 10th grader at Cincinnati's Summit Country Day School. 

At daily forums, the high school students met panels of UC students, engineering professors and women of color engineers from a variety of backgrounds, who discussed topics ranging from engineering education (from the student and instructor perspectives), the changing culture of the STEM workplace and succeeding as a STEM professional.  

“It opened job opportunities that I had not heard of,” Grzymajlo said. “Now, I feel more confident in becoming an engineer and pursuing my interests.” 

Students participated in daily hands-on experiments designed to apply the math, science, and engineering concepts covered that day in “real world” contexts. 

Rolanda Wilkerson and chemical engineer Chiquita White, principal creators of Pantene Gold Series, hosted a research and development experience that highlighted the human impact of engineering.

Prior to the camp, Procter and Gamble's Research and Development Department shipped  Pantene Gold products to each student. Wilkerson and White described how they traveled the world listening to what women of color need in a hair care line for their hair textures and how the Pantene Gold Series evolved from an idea they shared with leadership to the products consumers can buy on store shelves.

Wilkerson and White also gave the students an exclusive behind-the-scenes virtual tour of the football field-sized P&G lab and testing facility in Mason, Ohio, where they work. 

Students conducted their own product testing later that day, making their own bath bombs, guided by a virtual demonstration by camp leader Krizia Cabrera-Toro, Women in Engineering Program Coordinator.

For their final project, students presented vision boards and shared their new insights for potential interests in colleges, majors and careers, and identified people and resources that will support them in their journey.

According to the Society of Women Engineers, about 20% of bachelor’s degrees in engineering and computer science were awarded to women in 2019. Only 6% were awarded to women of color.  

"Women of Color make up less than 2% of the College of Engineering and Applied Science," said Whitney Gaskins, PhD, assistant dean of inclusive excellence and community engagement for the college. "Increasing this number is critical for the future of our college and our community."

Part of the challenge in convincing young women to pursue STEM is the lack of representation in the field.

Paula Lampley, an electrical engineer and Director of Women in Engineering  for the college, emphasizes the importance of role modeling in the process.

“One of the best ways to cultivate a student’s interest in engineering is to allow students to interact with women who look like them, and to listen as they share their experiences, challenges and career success ,” said Lampley.

The earlier a student engages in STEM exploration, the more likely they are to be prepared and motivated to pursue it in higher education.

“The Women of Color Summer Engineering Camp gives us the opportunity to begin engaging young women at an early age,” Gaskins said. “We hope that these interactions help create relationships that carry into their enrollment in the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science along the pathway into a successful STEM career.”

The office has received lots of positive feedback from the first cohort of campers.

“I hope to come to more camps and become a Bearcat one day!” said Cari'a Thacker, a 12th grader at Cincinnati Christian School. 

UC will proudly host the next Women of Color Summer Engineering Camp in July 2021.

Featured image at top: UC's Engineering Research Center. Photo/John Martini/UC P+D+C.