Stevens MakerSpace employees had the wonderful opportunity to host the New Jersey Girl Scouts on Wednesday, December 4, helping them earn their badge for the “Think Like an Engineer” journey. The enthusiastic and inquisitive Girl Scouts, ranging from ages six to twelve, were eager to explore Stevens’ Makerspace and immerse themselves in hands-on engineering activities.
The event was planned and led by the women employees in the Makerspace—Alicia Kearney Nataly Jimenez, Thomai Andreopoulos, Natalie Anfuso, and Jeylan Jubran—who have been dedicated to hosting women’s workshops for the past three years. This initiative reflects their ongoing mission to make engineering workshops more inclusive, consistent, and open to all moving forward. This caught the attention of the NJ Girl Scouts who were thrilled to earn their badge in collaboration with MakerSpace.
The scouts were tasked with building the fastest model car, combining science, design, and teamwork. The team led a brainstorming session where the girls sketched their ideas before assembling their vehicles using 3D-printed parts. This activity taught them how design choices—like shape, weight, and materials—affect performance.
The highlight of the day was the test track. Each scout tested her car twice, recording times to analyze performance. The scouts engaged in the engineering design process, reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve their cars. They sketched new designs, made modifications, and tested again—embracing the idea that failure and iteration are essential to engineering.
The event concluded with a “Take Action Project,” a Girl Scouts tradition that empowers participants to apply their skills to solve community problems. The scouts brainstormed issues in their communities—from water conservation to accessibility challenges—and explored sustainable engineering solutions to address these concerns.
To commemorate the day, each scout received a laser-cut keychain engraved with her name and the Makerspace logo—a special keepsake to celebrate their journey in engineering.
A Look Ahead
Events like these exemplify the Makerspace’s commitment to fostering curiosity, creativity, and inclusivity in STEM fields. By hosting the Girl Scouts, the Makerspace employees not only provided a fun, hands-on experience but also inspired the next generation of engineers to think critically and embrace challenges.
As the team looks to expand these workshops next year, the hope is to welcome even more young minds into the world of engineering—where creativity meets problem-solving to make a difference.
