Roane State mechatronics director Gordon Williams shows students how to operate a robotic arm during the “Introduce a Girl to Engineering” event at Y-12’s New Hope Center. (Photo courtesy Roane State)
Two Roane State staff members helped introduce more than 200 high school girls to the world of engineering during an event at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.
Showing the students how to operate a robotic arm was Gordon Williams, director of the college’s mechatronics program. Kim Harris, director of Workforce Training and Placement at Roane State, assisted in the presentation.
The demonstration was part of “Introduce a Girl to Engineering,” a program held February 23 at Y-12’s New Hope Center.
Students from 15 area schools participated in the event conducted in concert with “Girl Day,” an initiative founded by DiscoverE, formerly the National Engineers Week Foundation.
“We were excited by the interest and enthusiasm that the girls had in robotics and mechatronics,” Williams said. “We had a steady stream of inquisitive young ladies eager to take a turn at operating our robotic arm and to learn about industrial automation.”
The students were able to explore more than a dozen engineering disciplines and were encouraged to pursue engineering degrees.
Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC is the contractor that operates Y-12.
To learn more about science, technology, engineering, and math options at Roane State, visit roanestate.edu/stem.
This press release was submitted by Owen Driskill.
