• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Eighth Grade Girls Test Their Engineering Skills with New Jersey American Water at Atlantic City Conference

Posted on: Monday, 6 April 2009, 13:00 CDT

"What Happens if We Beat the Men?" Ask Self-Proclaimed "FemGineers"

CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight ambitious eighth-grade girls, who call themselves "FemGineers" watched as some of New Jersey's top engineers competed in the New Jersey American Water Works Association annual model water tank building contest in Atlantic City. The group, who attend Heritage Middle School in Livingston, NJ., scrutinized the professional engineers, took copious notes and photographs with their cell phones because they knew that their turn was coming up. Split into two teams, the girls were given the same materials the degreed engineers had been issued. These included 30 straws, 20 paper clips, 8 push pins, a plastic drinking cup some chewing gum and 30 minutes. The engineer hopefuls were not intimidated. "What happens if we beat the men?" asked FemGineer Solange Luftman.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090406/PH95103 )

At the end of 30 minutes, each team had a water tower up and standing on its own. But, despite their best efforts, and some extra chewing gum, each tower collapsed when water was put into the "tank." "The girls' efforts were impressive," said Jim Scott, senior project engineer at New Jersey American Water, and team leader of the model competition's winning entry. "It's great to see students, particularly young women, demonstrate such an interest in engineering careers."

The FemGineers with their advisor Ken Zushma, include: Joy Horng, Sabrina Jimineze, Jessica Leiberman, Solange Luftman, Melissa Nanquil, Jeanette Ng, Marta Silva and Amy Xu. The group earned their trip to Atlantic City after participating in the National Engineering Week Future Cities Competition in January on the campus of Rutgers University. For the competition, the team created a model city centered on the theme "Water and the Economy." The girls creation was a town called "Environville" which detailed an elaborate water infrastructure system. For their effort, the FemGineers received the New Jersey American Water Award for Best Infrastructure Layout.

New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.5 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada.

SOURCE New Jersey American Water

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category