Girl Scout G.E.A.R Day

There is a little known website called Eventbrite.  While searching thru here you can find free and fee based events throughout the state. Yes, there is even an app for it on your iPhone.

I found G.E.A.R Day @ ASU.            Girl Scouts for Engineering Awareness and Retention. 
It is a free yearly event and the girls each received a patch, a t-shirt and lunch. Female ASU students from many different fields in engineering  came in talked to the girls about real world everyday examples of how engineers impact the world. Then they broke into groups and built solar cars, trebuchets, rubber band air planes, hydraulic lifts and more. 

My daughter has always wanted to be a veterinarian specifically working with elephants. After this she is now thinking of a career in engineering that helps animals.

Engineering medical equipment and life support systems for animals is a big field for engineers.  Business Insider reported that in 2011, Americans spent $48.3 billion on their pets. Pet care is a booming industry and a great field for engineers that want to help both small and large animals. 

In zoos, engineers are responsible for building new exhibits for endangered or rare animals such as a tiger. They ensure the animal is happy in its new home, that the animal cannot escape from its habitat and that the guests have a nice viewing area without encroaching on the Tiger’s personal space. To do this, engineers need information such as how high a tiger jumps, what’s the perfect climate and do tigers like other tigers. Once the information is compiled, they can design an exhibit that will keep the tiger safe, healthy and happy.

Architects usually design the face/aesthetics of the zoo but engineers are required to keep the animals alive and healthy. Engineers who work for zoos are called life support engineers and are usually educated in architectural, civil, chemical, biomedical, environmental and mechanical engineering. The work is similar to designing building systems but the equipment used in a zoo is unusual. Engineers usually have to go to special training, and it’s important to keep up with the changes in the industry. Not only do engineers have to research and design the perfect type of environment for each animal, they also have to keep the zoo visitors entertained by creating something that is aesthetically pleasing.  Zoos spend money to obtain new animals and build exhibits in order to attract more guests and stay in business. 

When looking for different ideas to open your child's mind, step outside the box. Look to all the many websites and free events your city has to offer.  Often calling a business can open the door to a tour that is not normally found thru your scouting or school website. 

(List source http://www.engineering.com/Jobs/JobArticles/ArticleID/4604/Engineering-Careers-for-Animal-Lovers.aspx)