Presenting Female Role Models in Civil Engineering: An Outreach Activity to Help Teachers Overcome Their Misperceptions of Engineers

摘要

This paper describes an activity the author has carried out with 72 high school science teachers to enable them to overcome their misperceptions of engineers and engineering. The activity introduced them to prominent women in civil engineering, and raised their awareness of these female engineers' contributions to engineering ami society. The results showed that the activity was effective in dispelling the teachers' misperceptions. The female civil engineers featured in this activity cited the role of their parents or teachers in encouraging their pursuit of an engineering career. They held senior positions in academia, government or industry. They acknowledged that they had encountered difficulties at their workplaces but they also mentioned progress made towards acceptance and equality. Teachers and professors can use the examples of these prominent female engineers as role models to inspire their female students who are aspiring to become civil engineers.