Women still belong to the smaller slice of pie in the engineering population. It is also a struggle for women to be treated as equal as the men, because engineering is still universally regarded as a male-dominated world. While efforts towards changing that statistic and matter of fact are forwarded at the university level, one female engineer is looking to encouraging the next generation, especially young girls, through a toy she devised. Making little girls understand engineering.
Making little girls understand engineering (Source: Shopify)
Stanford engineering student Debbie Sterling developed GoldieBlox to make engineering a fun experience for the young girls. The toy is geared with feminine tropes that are proven to be part of every little girls’ playtime. Part of the package too are the colors of the toy which are really intended for the young girls.
Making little girls understand engineering (Source: CNBC)
The toy comes with a storybook that isn’t like an instruction manual like other toys. Instead the storytelling component builds on a story about making machines that will make the young girls interested on how they are made.
Following the trend among the little girls, Goldie has similarities with a Disney princess. The long, porcelain legs and flowing hair. But it is with the said engineering touch and twist, and without the need for a prince.
The toy, suited for girls ages 4 to 9 years old, is available for pre-order in the GoldieBlox website for $30. It includes a storybook, 5 animal figurines, 1 pegboard, 5 wheels, 10 axles, 5 blocks, 5 washers, 1 crank, 1 ribbon.
