Future Female Engineers Enjoy Day of Learning with the Pros

As globalization becomes a reality in our ever-flattening world, the push to increase interest and participation in science and engineering among young people, and especially young women, is a worldwide phenomenon. 

The Honeoye Falls – Lima School District’s Strategic Plan reflects this.  Last updated in 2007, the Strategic Plan sets the high goal of having 75% of all High School graduates receive credit in four mathematics courses and four science courses by June 2012.  It also commits to the development of the whole child by promoting a balance of opportunities with programs and courses that enrich, challenge and foster the skills, talents and unique interests of students.

Opportunities, such as the recently initiated parent- and sponsor-funded FIRST Robotics team at HF-L, are building interest and enthusiasm for engineering and science among our young people and are seeing great success.  In fact, the Cougar 2228 Robotics team just returned from its most successful performance yet, making it all the way to the semifinals in the Buckeye Challenge in Cleveland, OH, where they competed against 45 other teams. 

These programs are currently primarily populated with boys, but a recently held interactive learning opportunity at Manor School is changing things, and the future is looking bright for our young women who are interested in engineering.

On March 13, 27 fourth and fifth grade girls from the Manor School had an opportunity to work with some very talented engineers.  Each participant had the opportunity to work through three of four stations focused on a different facet of current engineering. Bert Cholewa, Eastman Kodak Co; Jeff Small, National Semiconductor; and Steve Percassi, Jr. of Erdman, Anthony & Assoc. worked with our talented young women to expand their thinking in the area of engineering and to create enthusiasm for the field of study.  The program was sponsored by BOCES 2.

“I really enjoyed this workshop,” commented Sidney Waite of Mrs. Vitale’s fifth grade class.

To add a little more excitement to an already amazing day, Steve Percassi, Jr. received the Engineer of the Year Award, and R-News of Rochester made a visit to film Steve as he interacted with our young engineers. Mr. Percassi worked on the design of the Frederick Douglas - Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge recently finished in the City of Rochester.

HF-L currently offers Lego and Robotics programs at the Manor, Middle and High Schools, but what’s next on the horizon?

“We hope to initiate a Girls’ Lego Robotics Team in the fall of 2008,” said Brad Templeton, Enrichment Specialist for HF-L.  “Possibly an additional Manor School Club, as well.”