Lucia Welwolie: Soaring to New Heights and Inspiring Change
Let’s be honest—who isn’t captivated by the marvel of flight? For many, it’s a dream to soar through the skies, but for Lucia Welwolie, it’s a passion transforming into a powerful movement. Lucia, a high school student from Liberia, is not just dreaming of a future in aerospace engineering; she’s actively shaping it. Her dedication to aviation and space exploration is inspiring a new generation of girls in Liberia through her initiative, Liberian Girls in Orbit (LiGO).
Lucia’s fascination with airplanes began at a young age, watching the graceful landings and the complex machinery that makes flight possible. Each flight, whether flawless or flawed, sparked a thought in her mind: What if she could make these incredible machines safer and more advanced? This curiosity and drive to enhance aviation safety ignited her journey towards becoming an aerospace engineer.
The Spark of LiGO
Lucia’s dream is more than a personal aspiration; it’s a mission to inspire and empower other girls in Liberia. Her initiative, LiGO, aims to create a platform for high school girls to dive into the world of aerospace engineering. The Liberian Girls in Orbit Satellite Design Competition is a cornerstone of this movement. This competition encourages young women to design miniature satellites or propose experiments for the International Space Station (ISS), fostering an early interest in aerospace technology and innovation.
Competition Highlights
- Categories and Challenges: Participants can choose from designing a satellite or proposing a space experiment. This hands-on approach allows them to engage with real-world engineering problems and solutions.
- Awards and Recognition: Outstanding entries will be recognized in an awards ceremony, with prizes that may include scholarships, internships with space agencies, and advanced tech tools like telescopes and robotics kits.
- Empowerment and Sustainability: LiGO partners with local schools, universities, and tech hubs to offer workshops and resources. By collaborating with international space agencies, the initiative provides virtual mentorship sessions and potential internship opportunities for winners. Sponsorships from businesses and international organizations help cover material costs and support travel for presenting at global conferences.
- Media and Outreach: LiGO also seeks to raise awareness through media partnerships, inspiring more girls to explore the field of aerospace engineering and contribute to the growing community of young female scientists and engineers in Liberia.
The Importance of Empowering Young Women in Aerospace
Statistics underscore the need for initiatives like LiGO. Currently, women represent only about 20% of the aerospace engineering workforce globally. In sub-Saharan Africa, the numbers are even lower, with limited representation of women in STEM fields. By encouraging young girls to explore aerospace engineering, Lucia is not just fostering individual dreams; she’s addressing a critical gap in the industry.
Empowering girls to pursue careers in aerospace engineering is vital for several reasons:
- Diverse Perspectives: Increasing female participation brings diverse perspectives that drive innovation and problem-solving in aerospace technology.
- Economic Growth: Expanding the talent pool in STEM fields contributes to economic growth and development, particularly in emerging economies.
- Role Models: Initiatives like LiGO provide role models and tangible pathways for young girls, helping to break down barriers and stereotypes in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Lucia Welwolie’s journey is a testament to how one person’s passion can ignite a movement. Through LiGO, she is not only paving her path to becoming an aerospace engineer but also creating a legacy of empowerment and innovation for future generations of girls in Liberia. Her efforts are a reminder that with vision, determination, and the right support, the sky is no longer the limit—it’s just the beginning.
