Overview

Berkeley’s Girls in Engineering (GiE) program runs camps where participants learn about engineering in a fun, hands-on way. Our program is open to San Francisco Bay Area students entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Participants in GiE learn about a range of engineering topics, from bioengineering and robotics to nuclear engineering and chemical engineering. The workshops are run by individuals who are committed to diversifying the next generation of engineers. The workshop presenters often discuss their experiences and career paths, and what they were interested in when they were in middle school. In addition to hands-on activities, campers create team projects and practice their presentation skills; enjoy social time with each other and our high school volunteers; and visit a variety of locations around campus.

Team Projects

Throughout the week, campers work in teams to develop an engineering solution to a problem of their choosing. These projects are a great way for the participants to use their new knowledge, learn how critical creativity is, and discover the many ways engineering can improve their world.

To prepare for their poster presentations, the students participate in a workshop that focuses on public speaking. This workshop, like many of the morning workshops, is focused on general professional skills that are important for many careers, not just engineering careers.

Finally, we invite all interested family members and friends to join us on Friday afternoon, when the campers present these projects to their guests. This is a fun way for the participants to share part of what they’ve been learned during the week.