First GE Girls Camp in Europe
The GE Girls Camp was a success. For three days, 22 girls from the district school in Baden were introduced to the world of technology. The camp was organized by General Electric (GE) and the ETH Institute for Product Development PDZ to promote young women in technical and scientific disciplines.
For the first time, a GE Girls Camp took place outside the USA. The aim of the three-day event in September was to increase the interest of 14-year old girls in technical and scientific disciplines. After a brief introduction, the young researchers took up their tasks. At first, they performed a 3D scan of a figure and then create with the collected data a CAD file from it. Based on the principle of 3D printing the participants were then able to cut a three dimensional object - a rocket – with a program on the computers in the Visdom into thin slices and reconstructed it to a 3D model kit.
After lunch at the Dozentenfoyer, the girls were able to learn more about studying at ETH Zurich and received a first impression of what it means to be a student at the ETH. Afterwards, they went directly into the laser cutter workshop, where they used a laser to cut their previously constructed rocket out of a Plexiglas panel and then assembled it.
Next, the participants were taught how to use a Force Feedback 3D touch pen. With this haptic device, which allows a real three-dimensional input with tactile feedback, you can capture a 3D object simply by touch. The girls were surprised to feel in their hands the forces that the device generated by using motors.
"Many of the participants were fascinated by the tasks and enjoyed themselves. We hope to see some of the young ladies at ETH again in the future, "says Kornelia Kunstmann who headed the GE Girls Camp as an employee of the PDZ. "Some of the girls have been able to use the CAD quite extensively after only a few hours of introduction and although they have never used it before."
On day two the participants visited the GE factory in Birr; on the third and last day, a visit to the GE Konnex building in Baden was part of the program. In recognition of their achievements, all the participants received at the end a certificate and a 3D printed unisheep out of aluminum with their first name.