About 175 Girl Scouts learned about engineering opportunities from female engineers and leaders at Northern Indiana Public Service Company, or NIPSCO, NiSource and Columbia Gas of Ohio at an annual event, “Introduce Your Girl to Engineering Day,” aimed at building the next generation of female leaders.
“While the average number of women in the field of engineering is on the rise, we’re focused on continuing to increase that number for years to come and breaking down any barriers, hesitations or misconceptions that young girls may have about a career in science, technology, engineering and math,” Denise Rodriguez, external communications specialist, NIPSCO Communications & Public Affairs, told American Gas.
Through live demonstrations, the girls learned how natural gas is lighter than air, under what conditions it can ignite and that, while natural gas is odorless, mercaptan is added so a smell from a leak can be detected in the air at very low concentrations. They also worked on a team project and had a Q&A with a female engineering panel.
The event partners with the national Girl Scouts of America and is spearheaded by NIPSCO President and CEO Violet Sistovaris, who also serves as a board member for the Girl Scouts. It was developed by NIPSCO employee resource group Developing and Advancing Women at NiSource, or DAWN. — Carolyn Kimmel