Dina Al-Kharabsheh

Who are you and what is your research topic?
I am an Industrial Engineer, interested in the field of Engineering Education for High School students.

Which research question are you working on?
How to best develop and increase Engineering literacy and career readiness among high school girls.

What makes this topic special/exciting for you?
I’m passionate about engineering and education. Research has documented, that many high school students have a limited understanding of what engineers do. Our research club “changING” provides Engineering literacy which involves understanding concepts and being able to apply the engineering design process. It also involves recognizing the influence of engineering on society and how engineering is different from science in its application to personal, social, and cultural situations. In this way, the research club can help address misconceptions people and especially young women have about the field. Thereby, winning many talented and gifted young women as future engineers.

Why is your topic relevant for future aviation?
Germany is a country which for much of the past century has been a global industrial leader. But right from the start, that leadership has depended on a ready supply of skilled engineers. These skilled engineers have to be won from the early stages at high school.

What is special about participating in the interdisciplinary research network SE²A?
Drawing attention to the diversity of the engineering fields and disciplines requires a strong and clear commitment of the different areas in the research network SE2A. Participating in this network will allow us to address the skills challenge and join our collaborative efforts to create an environment in which many more talented young women are inspired to a career in engineering.