THE INFLUENCE OF HANDS-ON FEMALE STUDENT PROJECT TEAMS ON THE CONFIDENCE OF WOMEN ENGINEERING STUDENTS

摘要

Based on recent statistics by the US Department of Labor, only eleven percent of Aerospace Engineers and only 5.6% of Mechanical Engineers are women. Over 85% of the engineering students at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University are in one of these disciplines. Considering that 47% of the general US workforce is comprised of women, continued and increased efforts are needed to increase the number of women entering the engineering workforce. Like many institutions, Embry Riddle has struggled to attract women to our engineering programs. The university is working to increase female participation in all aspects of the engineering program. As shown in figure 1, a component of the multifaceted EmpoWER (Empowering Women at Embry Riddle) program to attract and retain young girls to the engineering field is to provide role female models to dispel the perception that engineering is a male dominated field.