GoldieBlox – The Magic of Engineering for Little Girls

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GoldieBlox Book Series and Construction Set 1

What kind of toys do little girls play with?  Do toys influence decisions on how engineering is perceived by girls as they grow up?

When Debbie Sterling looked to buy toys for her friend’s children, there wasn’t much of a selection to explore her engineering passion.   So with her savings, support from family, and a lot of research, she designed and developed GoldieBlox.

GoldieBlox Book Series and Construction Set In Action

GoldieBlox is construction toy and book series, targeted at girls, starting at age 6. Goldie is creative kid who likes to invent things.  With Goldie’s help, you read instructions and design a solution to a problem.  Goldie is not afraid to fail, she never gives up.  Goldie’s friends, a well-dressed bear, pretty ballerina dolphin, and cute puppy, join in the fun to create wonderful things that connect, twirl and swivel. 

SolidWorks Model GoldieBlox
GoldieBloxis more than just a game.  It is a movement to show little girls the magic of engineering.  In the US, American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) statistics report 18% women engineering graduates.  Women find other careers after graduation in business, medicine, and law, never practicing their degree.  Simply attend a American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME),  IEEE or SolidWorks user group meeting and you are at 5% women, or less.

 

At Stanford, Debbie took her first engineering class as an elective, she was majoring in art.  Debbie used SolidWorks in class.  Seeing how creative engineers could be, Debbie switched her major to product design.   For eight years she worked as a designer, and then took a big leap of faith with Goldie.  

In US/Canada, you can find GoldieBlox direct or at listed stores on their website or on internationally on Amazon.com.

What fun engineering experience is next for Debbie, Goldie and her friends?  The SolidWorks model below gives a clue. 

SolidWorks Model GoldieBlox 2
The SolidWorks Education team wishes Goldie a life time of engineering magic.  Marie

Marie Planchard

Marie Planchard

Senior Director, Early Engagement, 3DEXPERIENCE Works at Dassault Systemes
Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach for the 3DEXPERIENCE Works products across all levels of learning including educational institutions, Fab Labs, and entrepreneurship.
Marie Planchard

@marieplanchard1