about the program (fall 2009) The Ready Set Design! program provides introductory engineering experiences for middle school girls in the Baltimore area, through half-day weekend programs on the Johns Hopkins University campus. The program is organized by the Johns Hopkins student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Financial support for this program is provided by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Center for Social Concern at Johns Hopkins University, the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association, and the National Science Foundation. Our activities this spring will take place in two half-day sessions: Saturday, October 31, theme: Engineering the World... and Beyond! Session time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Location: the Great Hall in Levering Hall Saturday, December 5, theme: Engineering the World... and Beyond! Session time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Location: the Great Hall in Levering Hall In each session the girls will first learn about the engineering design process and about the theme of that session's activities. Then, the students will split into groups to work on the group design projects. Each group will design a device to perform a specific task related to the theme of the session. Creativity is encouraged - every idea is worth exploring! Girls will also have the opportunity to interact with Johns Hopkins engineering students, as well as to meet local women who have found success and fulfillment in exciting engineering careers. Additional information about the program can be found in this semester's sign-up sheet here. Photos from spring 2008 have been posted! Click here for new and old photos! You can also look at the article about us that appeared in the Baltimore Sun (the article is copyrighted by the Sun). schedule of events Our sessions for Spring 2009 are scheduled for Satuday, October 31, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, and Saturday, December 5, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Parents: You do not need to stay for the full sessions, but you are welcome to join us for last half-hour, when the girls will give short presentations describing their design projects. See below for parking instructions. directions and parking Our events this fall will be held in Levering Hall on the JHU campus. On this map of the JHU campus in Homewood, Levering Hall is number 27, just above and to the left of center (circled in yellow). Drop-offs and pick-ups are possible behind Levering Hall, which can be accessed using the West Gate on San Martin Drive. Some parking areas are circled in red. Due to ongoing construction, parking is spread out around campus. The advice below is subject to change. It is usually possible on weekends to find spaces in area 13 near Clark Hall (number 12 on the map), which can be accessed directly from Wyman Park Drive. Parking is available in the south garage (area 2) for a fee. (For more specific driving directions to the JHU Homewood campus: click here.) contact us Questions? To register, volunteer, or ask general questions, contact us at readysetdesign (at) jhu.edu. links The following are some neat engineering resources for girls - Explore large structures (like bridges, skyscrapers, and dams) and what it takes to build them through this interactive site from PBS Use your imagination to design a bridge using software from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point - and enter a contest with participants from around the country! The Discover Engineering site has everything you ever wanted to know about engineering, from the different things that engineers do, to interactive games, puzzles and simulations, to cool engineering sites to visit in your own hometown. The American Society for Engineering Education has some great resources for students and teachers.   page updated 3 November 2009