Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day 2026

February 26, 2026 | Written by Natalie Schelling, PE, Associate and Project Engineer

As the title suggests, the purpose of this initiative is to show girls the possibilities of engineering through events, discussions with engineers, and spreading the message that women belong in engineering. It is well known that men significantly outnumber women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers, but statistics show that the gap is slowly decreasing. “Introduce a Girl to Engineering” Day is one way that a future engineer can discover a career path she otherwise might not have considered.

Research posted by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) showed that only 13% of all engineers are women. However, the number of women in engineering is increasing. SWE’s research showed that between 2013 and 2018, there was a 65% increase in the number of bachelor degrees awarded to women in engineering and computer science. It is clear that girls’ interest in engineering is growing and that supporting and encouraging girls to explore engineering as a career option is important.

Female Engineers through History

Women have made many important contributions to engineering and science throughout history. Here are just a few of such inspiring women and some of their accomplishments:

• Ada Lovelace: considered the world’s first computer programmer due to her work on the Analytical Engine (a precursor to modern computers).
• Hedy Lamarr: Hollywood actress, but so much more than a pretty face. She was a pioneer in wireless communications and co-invented technology that was used by the Allies in World War II to prevent enemy interference in radio signals and was later used as a basis for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.
• Margaret Hutchinson Rousseau: designed the first commercial penicillin production plant.
• Elsie Eaves: worked on the design of the Hoover Dam, Parker Dam, and All-American Canal.
• Stephanie Kwolek: inventor of Kevlar.
• Rosalind Franklin: contributed significantly to the discovery of the structure of DNA.
• Mary Anderson: invented the first vehicle windshield wipers.
• Josephine Cochrane: invented the first dishwashing machine.

Women Engineers Help Lead the Way at Commonwealth

I have the privilege to work with many talented women at Commonwealth Engineers. I asked my counterparts if they would answer a few questions about their experiences for this post, and they enthusiastically agreed.

Amy Mendoza, PE, an Associate and Project Engineer at Commonwealth’s South Bend office, says she was introduced to engineering through a partnership between her high school and a local community college. “I had a wonderful chemistry teacher who introduced engineering concepts to my classmates and me. She came up with ridiculous unit conversion problems for us to solve and made it fun to be challenged. It didn’t take much convincing for me to choose engineering!”

Robyn Matthews, PE agrees that engineering is a rewarding career. “I enjoy knowing that my projects make life better, safer, and easier for the general public. I enjoy helping clients realize their visions. But my favorite part is the daily collaboration and problem-solving. Engineers make the work better in seen and unseen ways, and it is very rewarding to be a part of that.” Robyn is an Associate and Project Manager at Commonwealth’s Crown Point office and leads Commonwealth’s transportation engineering efforts.

As for me, what I appreciate about my career in engineering is that each day is a bit different from the one before, and I know that my work is improving water quality in Indiana. 

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day Events and Resources

See the links below for additional information and resources.