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A civil engineer’s blueprint for inspiring girls to pursue STEM careers

Date
28 January 2025

As part of the ICE’s partnership with Girlguiding, Eleni Price has been showing guides that they can solve engineering challenges.

A civil engineer’s blueprint for inspiring girls to pursue STEM careers
Eleni Price, a Chartered Engineer, inspires girl guides with hands-on STEM workshops

Only one out of six engineers is a woman.

How can we tackle this persistent gender gap in the industry?

One key way the ICE seeks to do is through its partnership with Girlguiding, which seeks to bring the world of engineering to life for girls around the UK.

Eleni Price, from Girlguiding London and South East England, led an interactive workshop that transformed complex engineering concepts into engaging activities for the 10th Redhill girl guide unit.

From making buildings safe to designing bridges that last, the guides learned how engineers solve everyday problems.

We caught up with Eleni to learn how these sessions help young girls picture themselves in technical roles.

The power of Girlguiding

Girlguiding is a leading charity for girls and young women, with a mission to empower and inspire through adventure, learning, and skill-building.

Since 1910, they have provided a safe and supportive environment where girls can explore their potential, develop confidence, and build lifelong skills.

From rainbows (age range) to rangers (age range), Girlguiding helps girls discover their passions and consider exciting career paths.

The ICE x Girlguiding partnership expands!

The ICE and Girlguiding are bringing their civil engineering badge to three new UK regions: Scotland, north-east England (including Yorkshire and Humber) and north-west England.

Find out how to get involved

Introducing civil engineering

Eleni’s interactive session kicked off with an unusual task: building a bridge using nothing more than a sheet of A4 paper that could support a toy car.

The young participants quickly discovered the strength of triangular shapes - a key principle in engineering.

"What surprised me most was how these practical demonstrations enhanced my own understanding of fundamental engineering principles," says Eleni.

"When you have to explain concepts like load distribution in simple terms, you develop a deeper appreciation for the basics."

Some enthusiastic guides even expanded their projects using wooden sticks and tape to span the gap between chairs.

“Their creativity and problem-solving skills were truly inspiring”, said Eleni.

Participants had to get creative when building their bridges
Participants had to get creative when building their bridges

Jelly geotechnics

The highlight of the day was the ‘jelly geotechnics’ exercise.

Using a tray of jelly as a wobbly foundation, the guides experimented with stabilising blocks. It was a creative way to understand how engineers deal with unstable ground when building foundations.

Working in teams, the girls then competed to build the tallest and most stable towers using wooden blocks.

The challenge brought out teamwork, critical thinking, and structural engineering principles, all while keeping the atmosphere fun and engaging.

The jelly geotechnics exercise demonstrates how engineers address unstable ground when building foundations
The jelly geotechnics exercise demonstrates how engineers address unstable ground when building foundations

Why outreach matters

The day closed with the girl guides receiving their civil engineering badges, celebrating their achievements and new knowledge.

But the impact of the session could reach far beyond this achievement.

"These sessions aren't just about teaching," she explains. "They're about planting seeds of inspiration that could grow into future careers in engineering."

"We want girls to see that engineering is for everyone," says Eleni.

Eleni holding the civil engineering badge
Eleni holding the civil engineering badge

Too often, engineering is seen as a male-dominated field. Workshops like these break down these stereotypes.

They also help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications, making STEM fields more accessible and appealing.

By showing young people - especially girls - the creative and practical side of engineering, Girlguiding hopes to inspire the next generation of engineers.

Join Girlguiding

Girlguiding welcomes girls aged five to 18, offering them a chance to make friends, learn new skills, and have adventures.

To find your local group or learn more about joining, visit girlguiding.org.uk.

  • Roxana Hurjui, communications lead – London, South East & East of England at Institution of Civil Engineers