27 Apr Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
Thomas & Hutton (T&H) is celebrating another year of Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (Girl Day)!
Held during Engineers Week, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, brings together volunteers, educators, and industry professionals to spark curiosity through hands-on activities. On February 26, 2026, students across the country will explore what it means to think like an engineer by asking questions, testing ideas, and discovering how problem-solving can share the world around them. Rather than presenting engineering as abstract concepts, Girl Day emphasizes real-world problem solving and solutions. It’s part of a movement to help girls see themselves in engineering careers and understand that their ideas, creativity, and curiosity have value in shaping how we live, work, and solve tomorrow’s challenges.
At T&H, we see that impact every day. Our women engineers and designers bring insight, innovation, and teamwork to projects that serve communities throughout the region. Their perspectives strengthen our work and our culture.
In honor of Girl Day, we’re highlighting voices from the women of T&H, sharing what drew them to this work, the advice they’d give young girls, and the impact they’re making. If even one student walks away believing, “I can do this,” then the day has done its job.
Elyssa Roberts, Designer – Civil Department, Atlanta, GA
What first sparked your interest in engineering?
My interest in engineering really started with my love for problem‑solving and the little “inventor projects” I did at home. When I was younger, I was constantly trying to build new things—grabbing whatever materials I could find around the house and turning them into prototypes of the “next big idea” in my mind. That excitement of creating something from nothing is what first sparked my interest in engineering, and it’s only grown stronger over time.
What advice would you give young girls considering engineering?
If I could give one piece of advice to young girls interested in engineering, it would be this: never underestimate the power of your curiosity. Don’t be afraid to ask “why” or “how” something works—those questions are the foundation of great engineering. This field isn’t about perfection; it’s about thinking outside the box, exploring new ideas, and using your imagination to find solutions, even if it takes a few attempts to get there. Being a woman in engineering is cool! The field thrives when women bring their ideas, perspectives, and creativity to the table. Engineering becomes stronger, smarter, and more innovative when your part of it.
Katie Reed, Designer – Civil Department, Nashville, TN
What first sparked your interest in engineering?
At first, I resisted engineering, I thought it was just about being good at math and science. Over time I realized it’s really about solving problems. Whether it was building with blocks as a kid, creating worlds in Minecraft with my brothers, or now helping shape real communities, I love figuring things out. Engineering lets me do that every day, and I’m grateful to the people who helped me see its real-life impact even when I didn’t understand it myself.
What advice would you give young girls considering engineering?
Always stay curious. Ask questions until you actually understand. You’ll face prejudice as a woman in a male-dominated field, but one of the best ways to challenge that is by proving what you know and how hard you’re willing to work. Persistence, patience, and the humility to ask for help when you need it make you stronger, not weaker.
Ambria B. (Ambria Berksteiner), Project Coordinator – Civil Department, Savannah, GA
What first sparked your interest in engineering?
My interest began in high school through the Engineering Explorer Post Program at T&H. It made engineering feel real and showed me how math and problem-solving I loved could turn into a career that shapes communities.
What impact are you most proud of?
One of my proudest accomplishments is founding Operation One STEM at a Time, which builds early STEM exposure for young girls, especially girls of color, just like the support I once received. Being able to build communities while also building confidence in the next generation is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
Kaylee Neal, PE, CFM, Designer – Water Resources, Charlotte, NC
What first sparked your interest in engineering?
An aerospace engineer visited my high school physics class, and that moment changed everything. I didn’t even know what “engineering” meant, but hearing how creative problem solving happens, even in zero-gravity, opened my eyes to how interesting and impactful engineering really is.
What’s an important part of engineering?
Diversity in perspective matters. People from different backgrounds bring fresh ideas and new solutions to the table. Women are an essential part of that diversity, and our industry is better when we include voices that historically haven’t always been heard.
Alexa Schiazza, Designer – Water Resources, Greenville, SC
Do you have any female engineers, leaders, or role models who inspire you?
Hillary Aton and Kayla LaRue are two female engineers that I see as role models. And they both work here at T&H! Seeing how much they have accomplished both professionally and personally is an inspiration.
What first sparked your interest in engineering?
My dad was an electrical engineer for forty years and was so passionate about what he did that I hoped one day I would find that in a career. Electrical engineering wasn’t for me…but the problem-solving aspect of engineering held my interest. When I took an environmental science class in high school and found out that I could mix that with engineering, I knew that was the path I wanted to take!
This day is a reminder that women and girls are essential contributors to engineering. At T&H, we remain committed to supporting women in STEM, sharing these experiences, and helping inspire the next generation of engineers. Through mentorship, outreach, and everyday advocacy, we’ll keep pushing for a profession that’s welcoming, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
