Yesterday (Sunday 23 June) marked Women in Engineering Day. To mark the occasion, we spoke to two budding engineers from Dame Allan’s Junior School, about why it is important for girls and women to get involved in engineering.

Charlotte and Daisy, both Year 5 pupils, were very successful at the Primary Engineer competition this year, with both placing in the North East category. Charlotte was selected as a winner and Daisy was highly commended for her entry.

As part of the competition, both girls had to submit an idea for an invention, including a drawing and a letter explaining what their idea is, and how it is beneficial.

Above: Charlotte with her design for ‘Wellbeing Wilfred’

Charlotte’s entry was Wellbeing Wilfred, a stuffed elephant toy that would help young children to communicate their feelings to their parents, when they may otherwise feel unable to do so. Charlotte suggested that this tech could be used to help with anxiety, or for children who are too young to explain their feelings properly. She explained:

“Wellbeing Wilfred has different emotion icons on each leg, like an angry face or a sad face, that the child can push to help them express how they feel to their parent. It would link to an app on the parent’s phone, which will then alert them that they should go and speak to their child about something that is bothering them. Wilfred also has the ability to have a message recorded, so parents can leave a loving message for their child to hear at anytime when they might be feeling upset.”

Charlotte feels strongly about women and girls getting involved in engineering and inventing things, adding:

“I think it is important for us to have women and girls in engineering, as we speak from our experiences and how we are feeling. Without women being engineers, there would be a whole community being left out.”

Speaking about her participation in the Primary Engineer competition, Charlotte would encourage other Junior School pupils to give it a go, saying: “I really enjoyed it, because you get to see something grow from a small pinprick of an idea.”

Above: Daisy with her design for ”Peaceful Pal’

Daisy’s entry was ‘Peaceful Pal’ a stuffed bunny rabbit that helps young children who find it hard to sleep. Daisy explained:

“Peaceful Pal has light-up ears to help young children with a fear of the dark, it is weighted (like a weighted blanket). and has a heart in the belly that young children can record their worries in to, to help them clear their minds and help them sleep without their problems keeping them up.”

Speaking about women and girls getting involved in engineering, Daisy said: “More woman and girls inventing things and becoming engineers means that we will get more products from a woman’s point of view, and I think that is a really good thing.”

Dame Allan’s Junior School had an excellent turn out for the 2024 Primary Engineer competition, with many pupils being awarded as winners or having highly-commended entries.