18
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY JAILED KANSAN
WEDNESDAY JUNE 17 2009
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009
CAMPUS
Engineering camp builds girls' interest in science
BY KRISTEN LISZEWSKI kliszewski@kansan.com
John Gibbons, Lawrence doctoral student, explains elements of HTML programming design to a small group of high school girls from around the country during Project Discovery, a week-long summer camp that provides high school girls the chance to explore possible careers in engineering.
Alumnus Shannon Skoglund decided to come to the University after attending Project Discovery, an engineering camp for high school girls organized by the School of Engineering.
Ryan McGeenev/KANSAN
Skoglund, who majored in computer science engineering, said the camp, which is taking place again this week, helped her find a passion for engineering. It also helped her recognize the importance of peer support as a girl interested in the science field.
"As a young girl, if you like science and math, you're going to hide it just to fit in," Skoglund said. "A lot of these girls don't have friends who are interested like they are in those subjects."
www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us
Florence Boldridge, director of diversity and women's programs at the school, organized Project Discovery The camp offers two sessions in the summer, the first of which began June 15. Boldridge said the week-long camp not only offered girls hands-on experience in math and science subjects, but also gave girls the acceptance and friendships of peers who shared the same interests.
"Project Discovery made me more familiar with the University," Skoglund said. "After three years of camp there, I didn't really want to go anywhere else."
According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics survey from 2007, women make up only 11 percent of engineers in the U.S.
Boldridge said one of the goals of Project Discovery was to encourage young women to follow their passion for science and continue their education in engineering. Skoglund attended the camp three consecutive years, which helped her make the decision to come to the University.
In an effort to increase the percentage, the Society of Women Engineers, a national organization, offers a variety of engineering related events similar to Project Discovery, where girls can meet women engineers, participate in activities with them and ask questions. According to its Web site, the organization's mission is to establish engineering as a highly desirable career for women through training and development programs, networking, scholarships and outreach.
Boldridge, who has worked at the University for 25 years, said she had seen the positive effects of outreach programs. Over the past three years Project Discovery has recruited 20 of its participants to the school.
Kyli Christopher, Lee Summit seniormen, is a mechanical engineering student working with Boldridge on Project Discovery. Christopher helped Boldridge make the final preparations for session one of the camp, in which 20 high school girls take part in experiments and lectures, furthering their knowledge toward becoming engineers.
Some plan to major in chemical and mechanical engineering, like
Christopher, who said she hoped to use her engineering degree in health and medical advancement.
"If you really love math and science, there's really no reason why you shouldn't go into engineering," Christopher said.
— Edited by David Ugarte
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LAWRENCE
Lawrence T joins Google application
BY HANNAH DECLERK
hdeclerkk@kansan.com
The Lawrence Transit System is now part of an application by Google that Robert Nugent, public transit administrator for the T, said could help increase the number of student riders. The T has been a part of the Google Transit application for less than six months and is the first transportation system in the state of Kansas to join.
The application, "Google Transit Trip Planner," plans trips for public transportation users by taking into account bus schedules and estimating the time and distance of the trip.
Once in the application, riders enter an origin and destination and receive three options for planning a trip with the T system.
The application allows riders to
adjust the time frame of their trip so that it will work around their schedule. It also shows riders the difference in cost between taking public transportation and driving to the selected location.
Nugent said he thought this was a great way to get people from one place to another.
"Students should look at the travel patterns of the T." Nugent said. "It is not just on campus, but also from one side of town to another. And it is free with a new KUID."
Kaitlyn Kash, Dallas senior, was without a car last semester. She said she relied on her friends and walked to and from place to place. Kash said if had been aware of the application, she would have been a frequent user.
"I was aware of the elections last year about the joining of public transportation, but that's about it."
Kash said. "I never really heard anything about the T after that, and did not know much about it. If I would know what I know now, I would have used it a lot more," Kash said.
In addition to KU campus routes, Nugent said the T had routes that went from one side of the city to the other.
Lauren Haskin, Kansas City, Kan. senior, said she sometimes used the T around town.
"I was not aware of this application," Haskin said. "Normally the routes are posted in the booths, but now I can just get on my phone and look it up myself. It is pretty convenient."
According to the Lawrence Transit System Web site, the application does not re-route riders around construction in Lawrence.
Edited by Jason Baker