Step 1

Engineering messages to share

Step 2

Engineering design process

Step 3

Leading STEM activities

Step 4

Be a role model

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Engineering messages to share

Research shows when we share how engineering makes a difference in people’s lives, that it involves creativity, and is based in teamwork, girls and boys are more interested in the field.

Incorporating these three messages into how we talk about engineering to students and adults is critical because when we change how we talk about engineering, we can change what people think about engineering.

Making a difference with engineering

Imagine what life would be like without pollution controls to preserve the environment, life-saving medical equipment, or low-cost building materials for fighting global poverty. All this takes engineering. In very real and concrete ways, engineers save lives, prevent disease, and protect our planet.

Yet, this work is largely invisible to most people. It’s up to us to share how engineering and technology makes a difference and name what we do engineering.

Messages in action

Hahna Kane Latonick, a Senior Cyber Engineer, shares how engineers make a difference by creating things that matter.

Watch Hahna

Daniele Lantagne, an Environmental Engineer, talks about the value of her technical know-how to provide clean drinking water in developing countries.

Watch Daniele

Tanya Martinez, an Energy Engineer, gives back to her Native American community by designing solar panels that provide electricity and help the environment.

Watch Tanya

Tips for talking about making a difference

  • Connect engineering to helping people. When you describe your work, share more than what you do (e.g., I design satellites). Talk about how your work benefits people or society in general (e.g., I design satellites that help detect drought or are used to predict the weather).
  • Not sure how to connect engineering to the larger message of making a difference? Explore DiscoverE’s STEM Careers. There are examples of different projects you can showcase.​

Creativity in engineering and technology

Engineering is a great outlet for the imagination—behind every innovative idea is an engineer. Engineering requires an ability to think outside the box and visualize a number of different solutions and scenarios. Why then, don’t many people relate creativity and imagination to engineering?

It’s because we don’t talk about it! Too often engineers and technical professionals downplay the creative aspects of their work. But it’s a critical aspect of engineering and tech and a compelling message to share with students.

Messages in action

Engineers dream up creative, yet practical solutions. Listen to Daniella H. Muise, a Materials Engineer, share how exciting it is to be an engineer and create something new.

Watch Daniella

Meet Ariel. She is an engineering undergraduate. She wants you to know that engineering is creative field, full of wonderful possibilities and options.

Watch Ariel

Tips for talking about engineering and creativity

  • Creativity isn’t always about the output and often about process. The engineer design process and design thinking requires critical analysis and a willingness to look for new approaches. Point out students’ creative problem solving when they are working on projects or activities.

Engineering teamwork

Engineering takes teamwork, and engineers work with all kinds of people inside and outside the field. Yet lots of people have an image of engineers and technical professionals working alone solving math problems or writing code.

You know this isn’t accurate. It’s up to us to share with students how important teamwork is to getting the job done.

Christy Predaina shares how engineers use teamwork to create things they never thought possible.

Watch Christy

Erin Fletcher loves collaborating with her team to build new bridges and roads.

Watch Erin

Khalid wants you to know that engineering is all about teamwork. He is an engineering undergraduate who believes engineering is a field where persistence payoffs in a big way.

Watch Khalid

Tips for talking about engineering and teamwork

  • Prepare some examples. Do you have a good story about how a team came together to solve a problem?
  • Emphasize how engineering requires sharing information and advancements across teams. Often we test students on their individual knowledge. Even when they are working in teams, students can get caught up in the idea that sharing their ideas across teams is cheating or stealing.

Final thoughts on engineering messages to share

Because most kids don’t know any engineers or technicians and they don’t really know what engineers do, it’s important for us to talk to them and share what we do. As you think about making a difference, creativity, and teamwork, here are a few more engineering messages to share:
 

  • Curiosity—Engineers ask lots of questions that start with: Why? How? What if? What are some of your go-to questions?
  • Opportunities—An engineering degree offers lots of freedom in finding a person’s dream job. It can be a launching pad for jobs in business, design, medicine, law, and government. To employers or graduate schools, an engineering degree reflects a well-educated individual who has been taught ways of analyzing and solving problems that can lead to success in all kinds of fields.

Sara Bolha, Mechanical Engineer at TE Connectivity, shares how engineers use their curiosity to imagine what the future will be.

Watch Sara

Janet Chang, Senior Control Systems Engineer at Bechtel, shares how being an engineer gives you the power to do anything that’s important to you.

Watch Janie

Tips for engineering messages to share

  • Pick one or two messages to share. We presented five messages here. That’s a lot. Think about the age of the students, the amount of time you have, and what else you’ll be doing. How can you weave the messages into leading a hands-on activity. Do you have examples or stories that underscore teamwork, creativity or opportunities? Focus on those.
  • Focus on engineering outputs. A lot of kids (and their parents) think engineers have to be straight A students to be a successful engineer. Rather than talk about what course requirements students need, talk about the rewards of being an engineer and the impact you have.

Resources

Effectively Talking to Kids About Engineering
Learn about the research behind the messaging and get practical tips for how to engage kids with real-world examples and compelling images.

Watch Now

Powerful Engineering Messages to Share Main Image

Five Powerful Messages to Share
What we say about engineering matters. When we share how engineering directly impacts people’s lives, that it’s creative, and team-oriented — kids listen.

Download

Research

Changing the Conversation
National Academy of Engineering. 2008. Changing the Conversation: Messages for Improving Public Understanding of Engineering. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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