The development of the "My Daughter is an Engineer" program was based on the recognition that parental support is critical to young girls’ academic success in engineering. This 3-day summer residential program was designed as a unique live-and-learn experience for the father or mother and the daughter to explore the world of engineering together. Participants include high-performing pre-middle school girls and a parent. While residing at the CSULB campus, they participate in a variety of activities, focusing on engineering in everyday life, academic success skills, and other STEM-related hands-on projects. Conceived by Lily Gossage, founder of "Women Engineers @ the Beach," this program was held for the first time in 2011. Funding is provided by IEEE Control Systems Society (via Dr. Bei Lu as Principal Investigator and Dr. Panadda Marayong and Lily Gossage as Co-Investigators) and from the California Space Grant Consortium (via Lily Gossage as Principal Investigator and Dr. Eric Besnard as Co-Investigator). The Women-in-Engineering Outreach leadership team highly encourages fathers to get more involved with their daughter's academic growth.
                

2011 students, parents, and K-12 educators

K-12 Educator Professional Development
As part of this enriching engineering experience, the program combines professional development of K-12 educators. Educators, whose participation is funded by the California Space Grant Consortium. Educators participate along-side parents and daughters but also receive additional workshops related to aerospace engineering, including content based on NASA Directorates (aeronautics, exploration systems, science dealing with astrophysics/heliophysics).

                  

Artwork created by Richard Ngan, CSULB Civil Engineering alumnus