Panel Addresses Bridging the Gender Gap in Engineering

Engineers Week / Industry News

February 13, 2019

Panel Addresses Bridging the Gender Gap in Engineering

In a preview to Engineers Week, which starts next week, Congressmen Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and Bruce Westerman (R-AR) joined students and other guests for a panel discussion on the future of women in engineering.

The panel inlcuded Silvana Lavado, an engineer with ACEC member firm Bechtel; high school student Lauren Ware, who plans to study chemical engineering; and Catherine McLean, who is about to graduate from college with a degree in computer engineering and cybersecurity. Holly Morris of Fox 5 DC, who earned her engineering degree at Duke University, moderated the panel.

The panelists agreed that mentors in the form of family members, teachers, and professional colleagues have helped them pursue their interest in engineering.  Morris pointed out that there is a need for women in engineering because women solve problems differently than men, leading to stronger teams and greater innovation.

ACEC is a permanent sponsor of Engineers Week.

All comments to blog posts will be moderated by ACEC staff.