Kammerer Middle School Girls Catapult into STEM with Ballard and UofL Speed School
Despite progress, women continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields, making up only 35% of the STEM workforce in the United States. To address this persistent gap and inspire the next generation of female engineers, Kammerer Middle School hosted an innovative "Girls in Engineering" event on February 28, 2025. This initiative brought together students from Kammerer Middle School, Ballard High School, and representatives from the University of Louisville Speed School to foster collaboration and provide hands-on engineering experiences.
Breaking Stereotypes and Building Bridges
Kammerer Explore Coach Kelley Johnstone, who coordinated the initiative, emphasized the importance of encouraging young women to pursue engineering. "One of our goals last year at Kammerer was to increase the number of females in our Engineering Pathway," Johnstone explained. "This event will hopefully continue encouraging these young ladies as they transition from Kammerer to Ballard!"
The University of Louisville's Society of Women Engineers (SWE) played a crucial role in the day's activities. Four UofL Speed School students participated: Ashley Pope, a junior in chemical engineering; Esha Bajwa, the SWE President; Bryn Connelly, a junior in Physics; and Jacquelyn Brueggeman, a Mechanical Engineering major.
Together, they led an engaging presentation that challenged stereotypes and broadened the girls' perspectives on engineering careers. Their empowering message resonated throughout the event: "What does an engineer look like? YOU!!!"
By fostering collaboration between middle school, high school, and university students, this event exemplifies the growing efforts to address the STEM gender gap through mentorship, hands-on experiences, and early exposure to engineering concepts.
“What does an engineer look like? — YOU!!!”
Hands-On Engineering Challenge
The highlight of the day was a catapult-building competition that challenged the girls' engineering skills. Working in teams alongside Ballard High School students, the seventh and eighth-grade female engineers designed and constructed catapults to launch marshmallows. This hands-on activity allowed them to apply principles of physics and engineering in real-time, exploring concepts such as potential and kinetic energy, tension, and projectile motion.
Evie, a member of the winning seventh-grade team, demonstrated an impressive grasp of engineering concepts. "The barricade and anchor added tension to give the most acceleration," she explained, showcasing the practical application of physics principles.
Maryjane, a Ballard High School student who mentored the winning team, praised the middle schoolers' creativity. "I was amazed at their ingenuity and sat back, helping correct only if needed," she said. This collaborative approach fostered teamwork and problem-solving skills essential in engineering.
"The main concept behind this challenge is constraints," explained UofL student Bryn. "It requires understanding physics, the placement of the spoon and fulcrum points, and using the scientific method, including trial and error and problem-solving."
Bridging the Gap: From Middle School to College
The event exemplified the seamless connection between Explore middle school pathways and Academies of Louisville high schools, preparing and inspiring students for success in college and career. This collaboration is part of a larger initiative by Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) to create a continuous learning experience from sixth through twelfth grade.
The Explore program, introduced in 2022, extends career exploration to middle schools, offering five pathways: Business and Communication, Consumer Science, Healthcare Science, Public Service, and Engineering and Design. These pathways align with the Academies of Louisville in high schools, allowing students to develop interests and skills that they can continue to pursue.
The collaboration between Kammerer Middle School, Ballard High School, and the University of Louisville's Speed School of Engineering demonstrated this pathway in action. The four UofL Speed School students shared their experiences and insights, providing these aspiring engineers a glimpse into their future.
During their presentation, the UofL students emphasized that engineering is a creative field that improves people's lives and solves problems around the world. They highlighted the diversity of engineering careers, showcasing how engineers work in various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, entertainment, and environmental conservation. By sharing their own journeys and day-to-day experiences, the UofL students helped the younger audience envision themselves as future engineers, working on exciting projects and making a difference in the world.
Looking to the Future
The collaboration between Kammerer Middle School, Ballard High School, and the University of Louisville's Speed School of Engineering demonstrates a powerful model for nurturing STEM talent from middle school through college. By creating this seamless pathway and providing engaging, hands-on experiences like the catapult challenge, these institutions are working together to launch the next generation of female engineers into successful STEM careers.
