Stevens Institute of Technology Hosts Inspiring STEM Events for Girl Scouts
Stevens Institute of Technology recently welcomed local Girl Scouts to campus for two dynamic events designed to spark curiosity in STEM and provide immersive, hands-on learning experiences. Organized by the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science’s Office of External Relations, the events — one hosted in the university’s MakerSpace and the other part of the “See Her, Be Her” career fair — reflect Stevens’ ongoing commitment to outreach and education for young women in science and technology.
The first event, held in March, was a pilot workshop in the Stevens MakerSpace. Developed in collaboration with the student-led Women in MakerSpace initiative, the program aims to foster a more inclusive environment for female students in traditionally male-dominated maker spaces. Under the guidance of MakerCenter Director Paul McClelland, Stevens students introduced a small group of Girl Scouts to tools, technologies and creative problem-solving techniques.
"The idea was to make the girls feel comfortable using the equipment and being in that space," said Rekha Manohar, associate director of external relations in the Schaefer School. "It’s about building confidence early, so when they encounter these environments later, they’re not intimidated."
Approximately 20 Girl Scouts participated in the MakerSpace event, engaging in hands-on activities led by Stevens students. As part of the workshop, the Girls were tasked with designing and building a hovercraft using the best combination of materials and software available. The success of the pilot has sparked interest in making it a recurring program.
Expanding Horizons Through ‘See Her, Be Her’
The second event, "See Her, Be Her," took place in late May and returned to campus for a second consecutive year. Organized by the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, the large-scale career exploration fair introduced girls to a wide range of professions — from engineers and scientists to Zumba instructors and firefighters. Stevens provided the venue and contributed several exhibitors, including academic counselors and faculty from the university’s engineering departments.
"This event is a great fit for us," Manohar said. "Not only does it give the girls a chance to see what’s possible in terms of careers, but also visualize it from a college campus!"
This year’s fair featured participation from departments such as Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, with faculty and Ph.D. students on hand to discuss their work. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions also hosted a table and offered campus tours, giving middle and high school-aged Girl Scouts and their families a glimpse into college life at Stevens.
Attendance at "See Her, Be Her" was strong, with an estimated 100 Girl Scouts participating throughout the day. Feedback from troop leaders and attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
"When girls step into spaces where they can build, code and create, they begin to see themselves as engineers, innovators and leaders," said Johanna Nurjahan, Girl Experience Manager for Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey. "Through our partnership with Stevens Institute of Technology, Girl Scouts gained hands-on skills and confidence as they worked alongside women engineering students in the MakerSpace — and explored a world of future possibilities at the 'See Her, Be Her' career fair. Surrounded by inspiring role models and real-world STEM experiences, they saw firsthand how far their curiosity can take them."
Looking ahead, Stevens hopes to continue hosting the "See Her, Be Her" event annually. The MakerSpace workshop, while more resource-intensive, remains a priority for its potential to provide deeper engagement and skill-building opportunities.
"Our goal is to inspire these girls to see themselves in STEM careers — and maybe even see Stevens as a place they could belong," said Manohar. "These events are just the beginning."
