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<\/p>\nGirls and young women across the UK can now learn more about civil engineering, thanks to the expansion of a partnership between the ICE and Girlguiding.<\/p>\n
The badge is available to guides (aged 10 to 14) and rangers (aged 14 to 18) who complete at least two interactive activities designed to bring civil engineering to life.<\/p>\n
The activities include designing and testing chocolate bar bridges and constructing a tower on jelly, to learn about ground conditions.<\/p>\n
The initiative was developed to \u201ccreate a safe space where girls feel confident to experiment, build and discover the many possibilities that engineering has to offer\u201d, Kirstie Pogson,<\/p>\n
Girlguiding Midlands chief commissioner said.<\/p>\n
The campaign was piloted in Northern Ireland, Wales, London and south-east England in 2023. Since then, it has expanded, and after recently being extended to Anglia, the Midlands and south-west England, is now available nationwide.<\/p>\n
To date, 15,000 civil engineering badges have been awarded across the UK.<\/p>\n
ICE chief membership officer Joanna Horton said: \u201cReaching full UK coverage is a significant milestone for this partnership. The more young people see that civil engineering is creative, collaborative and open to everyone, the stronger and more inclusive our profession becomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
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To date, 15,000 civil engineering badges have been awarded across the UK<\/p>\n
One of the aims of the collaboration is to address the gender disparity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Stem) fields across the UK.<\/p>\n
Figures from Engineering UK show that although girls made up half of all maths and physics GCSE students, these figures drop at A-level and higher education levels.<\/p>\n
Karen Johnson, Girlguiding Anglia\u2019s chief commissioner, said: \u201cWe know how important Stem is to our members, so we are really excited to be able to work alongside the ICE to provide this wonderful opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to empower and inspire our members to lead the way and prove that girls really can do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Feedback on the programme shows that, on average, 17% of participants expressed an interest in civil engineering before engaging with the activities. Afterwards, this jumped to 83%.<\/p>\n
The programme also offers guides and rangers an opportunity to connect with mentors who are working and studying in the civil engineering field.<\/p>\n
Girlguiding leaders can run the activities, but ICE volunteers are also encouraged to get involved and share their experiences.<\/p>\n
Ellie Thomas, an engineer at AtkinsR\u00e9alis and Girlguiding Wales Cymru volunteer, said: \u201cI believe the partnership between the ICE and Girlguiding is such a powerful way to give young girls visible role models and to encourage more females into the profession.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteering has been incredibly rewarding, seeing girls gain confidence, curiosity, and a genuine interest in civil engineering.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stem Ambassadors across the UK who are interested in supporting this initiative should contact their local ICE team.<\/p>\n