The under-representation of girls and women in STEAM/STEM careers is still very much the harsh reality around the world and in NZ .This poses new challenges at the dawn of the era of digital transformation and the need for more diversity in the workforce.
Lack of exposure to STEAM pathways and female role-models as well as unconscious bias are amongst the main reasons why girls are still not considering a career in STEAM/STEM.
In the STEAM and E-STEAM programmes at Westlake Girls, we work hard to change these statistics.
Last week the E-STEAM students participated in a workshop at Massey University, School of Engineering and Advanced Technology to build a 3D Printed Formula 1 style racing car, including soldering the electronics components to enable them to remote control the car and race their friends.
Once the 3D printed race cars were build Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that students soldered components to was placed inside the car and connected to the motors and used as the “electric engine”. The PCB is made of conductive pathways etched or printed onto the board connecting different components onto the PCB – such as transistors, resistors and integrated circuits. Once all components are connected, the PCB is connected to a remote control.
Isabella Holt, left, was a natural when it came to building her car.
Problem solving on the go… building the 3D printed car from scratch with no instructions!!
The finishing touches.
It’s coming together!
A first go at soldering electronic components.
