DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - It's not often that kids get the chance to imagine, design and create their own cities. At the Children's Museum of Illinois' She Builds Program, that's exactly what participants do. 

Before they start their design process, participants learn from local women who know about engineering and civil design. Girls get to see a potential future career while learning about the way the city they live in was designed. 

"We've had two guest speakers from the city with the transportation department, and I think it's important for them to be able to see themselves in positions that they might not have known existed and be aware that they thought perhaps had not been [run] by women," said Abbey Jordan, an educator at the Children's Museum of Illinois. "It's also important for them to see it's the director of transportation and she's rocking it, and they can see themselves in that way."

For a few hours, the girls get the chance to use cardboard, string and other random supplies to construct whatever they want to. Some made bridges, working catapults and skyscrapers. 

Then the girls learn about the engineering process. This includes how to redesign a concept when it doesn't work the first time. 

"We are working so hard, we're not giving up on anything," said Talia, one of the participants. "I think one of every four things that you need broke. So I'm kind of frustrated, but it's okay. I learn from it and think I'm just going to work very hard and make sure it would be the best project in my life."

She Builds is one of many programs that happen at the Children's Museum of Illinois. For more details on She Builds and upcoming projects, check this link.

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