This week has seen one university host a week-long event aimed at one of the world’s greatest engineering challenges – attracting young women to the profession.

The second annual five-day Women in Engineering Camp (WIEC) has allowed year 11 and 12 students from across the country to live on-campus and participate in lectures and workshops that focus on engineering research areas such as energy, health, infrastructure, manufacturing, digital services and natural resources.

The camp has been hosted by the University of new South Wales’ Faculty of Engineering, which has set itself a goal to boost female enrolments to 25 per cent by 2020.

Students have experienced engineering in action with trips to Qantas, ABC studios and the Sydney Theatre Company, as well as a climb on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sarah Hayes is a fourth-year Commerce/Environmental Engineering student and  head of the graduate group leading the WIEC students. She says the program shows young girls that engineering is not just a “boys’ domain”.

“There is a perception that girls have to be at the top of the cohort to go into engineering, but the camp shows how broad the field actually is. It showcases the technical side, all the way to policy and economics,” she says.

A highlight for many students was a detailed exploration of the workings of a bionic arm and eye.

“I’m a hands-on person... so I was so intrigued by how we could perceive what blind people were seeing,” said year 12 student Brie Hammersley.

“I like maths and physics, so the camp is the perfect opportunity for me to work on these areas and find out what course I want to do at university.”

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Graham Davies says all such faculties should be committed to balancing the gender of their enrolments.

“Engineering remains a predominantly male-dominated discipline,” he said.

“The Women in Engineering Camp is one of several steps we are taking to encourage young girls into the field and offer them a taste of what they could be studying.”

“We hope the camp will inspire these young women to think of a career in engineering as an achievable and exciting option,” he says.