Dear Educator,
The annual EngineerGirl writing contest is intended to encourage students of all genders, in grades 3-12, to investigate engineering and the ways that it shapes our world. This year students are asked to write a piece describing an object they would like to make "smart" and telling us what it would do, how it would help people, and what could go wrong with the design.
A parent or guardian must approve each child's entry into the contest, but educators often provide the framework that will help a youth feel comfortable participating. Each participant will receive personal feedback from EngineerGirl regarding their entry, and if the guardian allows, the teacher will also receive a copy. If you have questions about the contest, please reach out to us at EngineerGirl@nae.edu, and we will be happy to help.
We hope that this competition will spark discussion and generate activities that can enhance or extend the material you are already teaching. If you can engage your entire class or group in a project exploring smart objects and AI, that would be a wonderful way to explore the topic. However, even if not, there are several things you can do:
- Wherever possible, please promote the contest to students and families. A flyer to share this contest is available for download.
- Provide links to the EngineerGirl site on classroom websites or newsletters to let youth and parents know about the contest.
- Encourage students who could benefit most from the experience to participate.
- Share a few resources relevant to the contest topic for interested students to read. You may wish to start by requesting the Technovation AI Ethics Guide or reviewing the article "The Ethical Implications of the Internet of Things". For younger children consider sharing this summarized version of the same article.
- Cheer on students who may think they aren't smart enough or don't have any experience with engineering – participation in the contest could open up entirely new futures to them. While some students already know a lot about engineering, a vote of confidence from a trusted adult may help a young person consider options they hadn't thought of before.
- Help arrange access to computers or the internet for students who may not otherwise be able to participate.
- Consider sharing a few smart objects like a smart speaker, a video doorbell, a GPS tracker, or a robotic vacuum for students to see and learn about. You may be able to check out such objects if your local library has a "library of things".
- Review the personalized feedback with participants in your class to help them improve their writing and gain confidence in their skills.
We would love to hear from you!
If you work in any way with students participating in the contest, consider sharing your experience with EngineerGirl. You may offer feedback during the contest period via our Contest Feedback Form, but we would also love to receive more specific feedback regarding your own experiences with the competition. You may write to us via email at EngineerGirl@nae.edu to tell us how you use the contest with your students.
Finally, thank you for all that you do for your students and for your support and encouragement to help them succeed!
Sincerely,
The EngineerGirl Team