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XX Makers

drlucyrogers

Any other female makers out there? (Other than ?)

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  • I see, the XX, YY, XY, YX thing now image, only kidding, it would be an interesting stat to know, perhaps E14 may have this as part of the profile of the members ?

     

    I know on my and other EE youtube channels, we tend to run at about 5% Female, a little sad really given the times

  • in reply to Robert Peter Oakes

    I don't think gender is part of our profiles, now you mention it. It would be interesting to know more about, especially given that it's something of a controversial topic right now, but at the same time it seems like it could be considered a little crass to ask people (in that kind of official, documented way, that is).

     

    That said, I don't think anyone need feel guilty for making an effort to encourage more women into engineering, and into communities like element14. It's a worthwhile cause, given that we need more engineers and people need more jobs. There were two women on the same engineering course as me, way back in the early 90s, and I've often wondered where they wound up working.

     

    Maybe there's a way for us to spread awareness of the community in the female STEM circles? Very open to any suggestions, and for any thoughts on whether there's anything we can do to make the element14 community more relevant and/or appealing to such members.

     

    I'll put some thought into this, so please jot down any ideas or thoughts below that I can add to our brainstorming efforts.

  • in reply to spannerspencer

    It's funny because I recently interviewed for social media for another tech site and I quickly decided it was not a good fit for me. So, this topic is rather fresh in my mind right now. I remember participating in a contest for Element 14, as well as a discussion on wearables. What I found is that mostly the same people responded. There is a small core group that is polite and encouraging, and then I feel like there is a wall. I suspect in my case my knowledge base was too simplistic for the crowd at Element 14. I'm not an engineer and more of just a STEAM fan and educator. I think Element 14 is already in the niche of engineer, so it isn't really my circle, even though I do occasionally look at people's projects or new controller reviews here. So, then I ask the question why aren't more female engineers chatting here? I think there is a normal tendency for women to be cautious nowadays due to some issues found on the net. For instance, the site I previously mentioned has a lot of one-upping going on in their comments. There was also no protection for those making comments and the site was not willing to police them. So, it wasn't exactly encouraging collaboration or discussion. The other thing is that once a woman is working in engineering, usually she has to tend to a million other things when she gets home. So, is there time to do personal projects or participate in conversation once the other day to day stuff, including social media is done? Not sure. I don't have kids, so it is easier for me to have time for these kinds of things image. I just find from hanging out on other female tech forums that most women are juggling career and kid stuff so much that they would rather just have some down time, especially with their significant other.

     

    Thanks for encouraging the conversation, and I remember how much thought when into whether I would ever post a pic on any of my tech accounts. Needless to say I took the leap.

  • in reply to spannerspencer

    I was probably thinking of the things I enjoyed doing/making when I was a Girl Guide - spinning / origami / building camps / pioneering (strapping lumps of wood together to make things) / leather work / carpentry / corn dolly making / embroidery etc. - I didn't have access to electronics then, but all could now be combined in some manner to make interesting things.

     

    I would be very interested to see some of the "artistic" electronics projects here - putting the A in STEAM image

  • in reply to drlucyrogers

    When you say "crafting", Lucy, do you mean projects in general that don't necessarily get into the realm of electronics? So it might involve more carpentry, metal work, textiles, card, paper -- that sort of thing? Or are you thinking more in terms of "artistic" electronics projects over the more technical/functional ways we tend to put e14-focused devices to use?

     

    I quite agree about there being a substantial overlap here, and that it'd be good to experiment with some different approaches to projects.

  • in reply to DAB

    Found them - thanks - this book stuff must keep you pretty busy !

     

    MK

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    Yea, Amazon treats it as a category instead of taking you to my book list.

     

    Either use my name Donald A. Bertke or go to Lulu.com which makes it easier to find all of my books.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to zengirl2

    I think crafting (starting from arts/craft) and making (starting from electronics/engineering) are not that far removed - would love to see more crafting projects here.

  • in reply to DAB

    ooo you haz books - will look them up! image

  • in reply to DAB

    Amazon (.com and .co.uk) has hidden them well - I tried a search on WWII Sea War and it couldn't find them - what should I look for ?

     

    MK

  • in reply to phoenixcomm

    Hi Chris,

     

    I am curious whose books you looked at?

    Mine are only available at Amazon and Lulu.com.

     

    I wonder if someone else is using the same title?

     

    Mine are day by day ship movements and minute by minute combat sequences.

     

    Very interesting,

     

    DAB

  • in reply to DAB

    DAB I just bumped into you on Linkedin and sent a request.  loved the Sea War books I flipped through them at B&N ~~Cris

  • in reply to zengirl2

    Hi Leslie,

     

    I know the feeling.

    I am just about to release Volume 8 on my WWII Sea War Series and I am in the middle of putting a new book together on the Periodic Table using my new atomic model.  It will clarify a lot of issues about atoms and their electron clouds.

     

    Meanwhile I am waiting for a Cypress Semiconductor PSOC board from Element 14 to road test and make into a spectral lighting system for a microscope, so you will see more posting in the future.

     

    Have fun,

     

    DAB

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  • in reply to zengirl2

    Hi Leslie,

     

    I know the feeling.

    I am just about to release Volume 8 on my WWII Sea War Series and I am in the middle of putting a new book together on the Periodic Table using my new atomic model.  It will clarify a lot of issues about atoms and their electron clouds.

     

    Meanwhile I am waiting for a Cypress Semiconductor PSOC board from Element 14 to road test and make into a spectral lighting system for a microscope, so you will see more posting in the future.

     

    Have fun,

     

    DAB

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