" Sending the Wrong Message "

By : Robert B. Johnson, S.E., P.E., Eng-i

Engineer and Writer.

Chairman, Public Relations,

Structural Engineers Association of Illinois ( SEAOI )

 

" Sending the Wrong Message"

By: Bob Johnson, S.E., P.E., Eng-i

SEAOI - Public Relations www.seaoi.org
ASCE Past member of Committee on Public Involvement
American Engineering Association www.aea.org
American Engineering Alliance www.aeaworld.org
Tau Beta Pi Association www.tbp.org
International Technology Institute www.itiworld.org
Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings www.cchrb.org
(fellow) American Concrete Institute www.aci-int.org

Several years ago, Mattel toys recently began marketing a new BARBIE DOLL r . The special feature of this new doll is it's ability to speak. Among others, Barbie's potential comments include the observation: "Math class is tough". As an engineer and the proud father of two daughters, I wonder, is this the right message to send to girls? Mathematics is the foundation of many engineering careers, including structural engineering. By programing Barbie to speak the words, "Math class is tough", aren't we conditioning girls to avoid careers in engineering?

As a child I can remember playing with electric trains while my sister had her dolls. Other engineers were weaned on Erector Sets r, Tinker Toys r , and Lincoln Logs r. (the latter invented by Frank Lloyd Wright's son ), prepare men for a career in engineering, but what toys exist to interest girls in becoming engineers? It no wonder that today the engineering profession in predominantly male .

Perhaps Mattel could create an "ENGINEER: BARBIE" set. Clothes could include a suit for the office, jeans, construction boots and of course a hard hat. A plastic model of an engineer's cubicle, including PC station, or CAD station and printer might be accessory pieces. A field notebook, transit, and surveyors rod would be included in the Surveyor: Barbie set.

Furthermore, how about material-testing equipment such as a slump cone, miniature concrete cylinder replicas, and a material testing machine for "Materials Engineer; Barbie".

Other accessories could include a miniature kit for making concrete, including sand, pebbles and cement. You supply the water. A plastic "Concrete Mixer" could be provided in the "Engineer Barbie makes Concrete Set". Even some strands of wire approximately 1/16" in diameter could be supplied to simulate reinforcing steel. Also included would be a plastic mold to cast miniature reinforced concrete beams. A description as to how to test the beam for strength by hanging a load from the center would be included.

Mattel are you listening??

Robert. B. Johnson, SE tel (312) 372-4198
Chairman, Public Relations; SEAOI www.seaoi.org
f.ASCE; Former members Committee on Public Involvement