BRIDGES (Building Relationships to Inspire and Drive Girls to pursue Engineering and Science)

 

The Kinetic Structures Laboratory has partnered with Riley High School to develop a program aimed toward increasing the participation and retention of women in the engineering magnet program. BRIDGES is a before-school enrichment program for women enrolled in the magnet program in grades 9-12. It is led by Prof. Ashley Thrall, Ms. Kristen Haubold (Riley Faculty), and Sabrina Gaitan (Notre Dame Student Leader).

 

BRIDGES is a multi-faceted experience focusing on civil engineering. Meetings include seminars by Notre Dame faculty, hands-on activities and experiments, and a field trip. Not only will this program give students fundamental knowledge in a field of engineering, but it will also enable students to get to know other women in the program and interact with Notre Dame and Riley faculty. Regardless of a student's specific interests in engineering, students will learn problem-solving skills that are useful for any discipline. This program began in Fall 2014 and continued through Spring 2020.

 

 

2019-2020 Syllabus

 

September 3rd	Introduction
October 1st	Engineering Trivia	Family Feud
November 5th	Materials	Introduction to Forces
December 3rd		Loads on Bridge Pier Activity
January 14th		Structure Strength Activity
February 4th	Arch Bridges	Arch Bridge Basics
March 3rd		Arch Bridge Design Activity
April 14th		Build Your Own Arch Bridge
TBD	Field Trip

 

Photos from Prior Field Trips

 

 

 

 

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CMMI-1351272. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.