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AAUW California

Empowering Women in California

2024 Tech Trek Camps

January 21, 2024

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Through hands-on problem solving and encounters with women role models in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), AAUW Tech Trek helps girls see their futures while having nonstop fun. This one-week summer camp is backed by AAUW’s  research and designed to make STEM fields exciting and accessible to girls in middle school — the age when girls’ participation in these fields statistically drops. For many girls, the week long camp sparks their curiosity and places them on a path toward success.

AAUW of California member Marie Wolbach founded Tech Trek in 1998 with the help of an  AAUW Community Action Grant . Today AAUW Tech Trek operates at 22 different sites around the nation. A 2013 survey of AAUW Tech Trek alumnae from California demonstrates the program’s lasting effects on many levels, including interest and confidence in STEM fields, decision to pursue those fields, and future career plans.

AAUW Tech Trek alumnae surpass the national average in most advanced math and science courses:

Girls learn about STEM careers that align with their passions and help them solve big problems:

Find AAUW Tech Trek near You

Camps are held in the summer at campuses around the country. All campers are nominated by their seventh-grade math and science teachers. Girls then apply and are selected by a committee. Visit the camp pages below to learn more about getting involved at the local level

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Tech Trek - STEM Camp

Volunteers Needed for Tech Trek

Tech Trek is an exciting week-long, residential, hands-on STEM camp for girls currently in 7th grade who show promise in math science and/or technology.

It’s held at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma where girls live in college dorms for a week during the summer and take classes from an excellent group of female scientists. The camp is designed to create interest, excitement, and confidence in young women at an age where they are sometime likely to drop out of math and science studies.

All girls are sponsored so there are no financial barriers to attending camp.  We are particularly focused on getting girls to camp who might not otherwise be able to attend this type of enrichment.  We look for the girls who would benefit most from this great experience and might not have other opportunities.

Seattle Branch sponsors around 10 girls each year from schools in the greater Seattle area.  The process starts in January. It costs $1000 for each girl to attend camp.  If you would like to donate to Tech Trek here’s how.  All amounts are appreciated.  Donate to Tech Trek.

Tech Trek is an AAUW program going on in a number of states nationwide.  AAUW-WA coordinates our camp.  There are generally three camps held in July and August.  Two camps are held at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and another one at Eastern Washington University, Cheney.  More information on Tech Trek Wa

Daily Life at Tech Trek – by Tonna Kutner

Here’s a description of daily life at Tech Trek and some pictures from one of our Dorm Monitors to give you a better idea or what goes on at this wonderful experience.

Tech Trek is a week long summer science camp for girls between 7th and 8th grade.  The teachers are all women scientists and the camp is designed to keep girls enthusiastic and engaged in science and math.  AAUW Washington manages the camp and AAUW branches throughout the state sponsor girls so they can attend regardless of their financial status.

I had the “opportunity” to go to our week-long Tech Trek camp this summer as a “Dorm Monitor.”  I must say, having no children of my own, this was out of my comfort zone and I was a little worried.  But looking back now, there were some highs and lows, but all-in-all it was a wonderful experience and I’m glad I volunteered.  It was at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma with 64 girls between 7th and 8th grade.

There were ten girls in my wing of the dorm along with a student counselor who was a wonderful asset.  She had just graduated from high school and was very interested and well informed on astronomy.  She was also really good with the girls.  We called our group “Apollo 4.”  We thought we had the best group.  They were very interesting and pretty well behaved all around.  There was one scary night where two girls woke up and knocked on my door.  Someone had yelled and screamed outside the dorms for a few seconds and it reminded the girls of a bad experience.  After a while they calmed down and got back to sleep.  Mostly it was pretty quiet at night.

There were five other wings with Dorm Monitors and Student Counselors so you can imagine it was a very busy place.  The girls broke up into 5 different groups called “core” groups and most mornings they went to classes in their core groups which were Stardust Astronomy, Robotics Engineering, Bodies by Design, App Inventor, and Cyber Security.

The Student Counselors went with the girls to their core classes while the Dorm Monitors reviewed the schedule for the day with our leaders. We usually had an hour or two free before it was time to meet the girls for lunch.  In the afternoon the Dorm Monitors accompanied the girls to classes and the Student Counselors some free time.

There were two afternoon classes ranging from mini-versions of the other core classes to extracting their own DNA (really) and genetic studies on “ReBops” which are creatures made of marshmallows, pipe cleaners and other interesting stuff.  One group had the opportunity to dissect pig hearts.  They were looking for heart strings which open and close the heart valves and, what do you know, they found them!  All the groups were different so I always had to know how many were in my group and keep counting to make sure everyone was there.

Wednesday was a different sort of day.  We did some finance activities provided by Financial Beginnings Washington exploring budgets for clothing, housing, student debt and other expenses – it was a fun and informative.  Then we went on field trips.  Half went to look at marine life and the group I went with got to go to the Museum of Flight.  The girls got to file flight plans, run a checklist on an airplane, do experiments on various aspects of flight and then fly (and sometimes crash) in a flight simulator.

That evening we had pizza and then saw a movie together.  It was “Hidden Figures” and the all-girl audience was just great and applauded and cheered in all the right places.

Thursday night was career night where 17 women scientists came and spoke to the girls and they were able to ask questions.  This was a real eye-opener and a great experience for everyone.  The last night we went out to see the stars and got to look at the moon through a telescope.

Although I was exhausted when I got home and slept for three hours before I even unpacked my car, I think I’ll go for it again next year.  I feel this is such a worthwhile program and makes such a positive difference for the girls who participate in camp.

Our branch sent eight girls this year and we hope to send ten next year.  We will need more help working with middle schools and interviewing girls and parents if we are going to accomplish this goal.  Please offer to help if you can.  Most of the work happens between January and March.

The girls wrote wonderful letters of thanks to our branch – I’ll include just one to let you know how important and life changing this camp is for the girls – the drawings are hers too:

Dear AAUW Seattle Branch: This week has been such a fantastic and eye-opening experience, and I wouldn’t have been able to be at Tech Trek without your kind donations.  This week I learned about what it is to be a woman in STEM.  I participated in Astronomy, Biology, Coding and Technology classes.  I never knew that there were so many fields of STEM, and that all of them are so interesting!  This week I also made so many supportive friends who helped me to say strong even when I didn’t get my first-choice of class, and I loved it anyways!  Tech Trek is so amazing and it allows girls/women to be confident in STEM and that it’s ok to make mistakes because these are the things that help you progress!

©2024 American Association of University Women - Seattle Branch

• Site by NetRaising : a web consultancy

https://aauw-seattle.org/what-we-do/tech-trek Printed 4/12/24 - 1:57:42 © 2024 American Association of University Women - Seattle Branch

"My Tech Trek experience was awesome!! I got to learn about new things that I have never heard of or seen of. It was really fun." - 2023 Tech Trek Camper

Tech Trek is a residential, STEM program for rising 8th grade girls offered by American Association of University Women (AAUW) Huntsville branch and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).

Tech Trek immerses young women in a world that empowers and encourages them to think of themselves as future scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer specialists. At Tech Trek, campers spend a week on the UAH campus and participate in a core curriculum program as well as workshops, field trips, and a special mentoring night with professional women scientists and engineers. To ensure that a family's financial situation will not prevent participation, Tech Trek only costs $50 per camper.  The actual cost per camper is $8 50 which is raised through grants and sponsors.​

Tech Trek by the Numbers  2023

64 camp ers

18 Alabama counties

16 counselors

4 core classes teachers

7 days of Tech Trek

3 field trips

2 special events (mentoring night, expo)

1 AMAZING EXPERIENCE

2024 Alabama Tech Trek is June 9-15th

Tech Trek: STEM Camp For Middle School Girls

Tech Trek is an AAUW California sponsored STEM camp designed to develop interest, excitement and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. Branches raise funds to cover the cost of each girl’s attendance and select attendees from local public schools.  Students from around the country attend camp on one of several college campuses. AAUW Morgan Hill has been sending girls to Tech Trek camp for over two decades.

What Do Girls Do At Tech Trek?

Each student selects a core interest class in addition to participating in a variety of math, science and technology activities which include:

Hands-on build it yourself tech projects

Interactive workshops

Presentations by and discussions with women in science or math careers

Core classes involving practical applications include computer coding, cyber security, aerospace engineering, forensics, marine biology and robotics

Who Can Attend Tech Trek?

We are seeking girls with a strong interest in science, mathematics, and technology. Students who can follow directions, enjoy new settings and people, and work well in groups are great candidates.

Twelve campers participated in our 2021 virtual camp. These six campers presented at our 2021 fall membership lunch.

What is the Selection Process?

In the spring, we contact middle school math and science teachers and ask them to nominate potential campers. Once nominated, the girls fill out a questionnaire and write a short essay. An AAUW member panel interviews semi-finalists and meets with parents to answer questions. Finalists are then selected and notified.

What is the Commitment of My Student if She is Selected?

Selected students will attend a one week camp in summer, starting Sunday afternoon and ending the following Friday. In addition, we ask campers to volunteer at our annual Wildflower Run (held in late March or early April). The Wildflower Run is our local fundraiser, enabling us to send students to Tech Trek. Finally, we ask our campers to give a brief presentation about what they learned at our annual Membership Brunch in September (parents are also invited).

How Can I Find Out More About Tech Trek?

Read a Tech Trek brochure .

Read Igniting the Spark , complete survey results of the impact of Tech Trek on past campers.

Watch a 3 minute video of a former Tech Trek camper here .

Contact the AAUW Morgan Hill Tech Trek Coordinator at [email protected]

Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek (CA)

Inspiring girls about science, technology, engineering and math at summer camp.

2024 Tech Trek Volunteer Opportunities

This coming year DAW hopes once again to send girls to each of camp opportunities at Sonoma State, Fresno State, and Virtual Camp We are looking for volunteers to support this popular and effective program. 1) Selection/Interview Teams – Starting February with wrap-up in March 2) Workshop Instructors – more information HERE 3) Professional Women’s panel at one or more camps 4) Dorm Mom 5) Ice Cream Social (1st or 2nd Sunday in June) Please contact Lee Garverick, Tech Trek Co-Coordinator 2023-24, if you are interested or with any questions.

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to Tech Trek, a 501 (c) 3 charity, tax ID 68-0463071 . The donation can come from an individual, business or company, or an AAUW Special Interest Group.

Please click the big green “Donate” button on the right side of this page for instructions on how to donate.

Thank you amazing DAW members! Please let your friends and acquaintances know about this opportunity to encourage local girls to pursue STEM education. Tech Trek is continuing proof that AAUW puts its mission to support equity and education for all women and girls into action.

Please Contact Us for more information.

STEM 2023 In-Person and Virtual Camps

by Deborah Wechsler, Tech Trek Chair 2022-23 (August, 2023) This past June and July we completed three in-person camps (2 at Sonoma and 1 at Fresno State) and one virtual Tech Trek camp. Our branch sent 15 7 th -8 th grade girls to camps this year. Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek also had several of our former Tech Trek participants and some of our members help out as virtual coaches and Junior Counselors.

Congratulations to the following girls who were nominated by their science and math teachers, went through our interviews and selection process, and were able to attend one of the camps in 2023:

• Connie Cai, Walnut Creek Intermediate
• Charlize Cerda, Walnut Creek Intermediate
• Ella Chiu, Stone Valley MS
• Marley Galloway, Foothill Middle School
• Flynn Gholston, Walnut Creek Intermediate
• Naomi Guss, Diablo Vista MS
• Camille Hahm, Diablo Vista MS
• Sunny Kang, Charlotte Wood MS
• Kaira Lam, Foothill Middle School
• Ella Lapsker Shwarzman, Foothill Middle School
• Diya McCLean, Stone Valley MS
• Ellie Moen, Diablo Vista MS
• Carolyn Ren, Diablo Vista MS
• Isobel Sims, Diablo Vista MS
• Isabella Wintrip, Stone Valley MS
• Elizaveta Udalkin, Charlotte Wood MS, was unable to attend camp due to illness

Here is a link to photos and videos from the Sonoma, Fresno, and Virtual Camps

I would like to thank the 2023 Tech Trek Interview team of Ann Willoughby, Bette Felton, Bev Nidick, Debbie Hammond, Diane Fornasier, Kate Waters, Liz Peters, Rita Hannum, and Zora Kalinic, who worked together to select the Tech Trek girls for this year. We will begin active efforts again in the fall! I am excited to wellcome Lee Garverick as the Tech Trek Co-Chair for 2023-24. Let Lee know if you would like to join the team!

The Tech Trek Program, Selection Process, and Funding

• The first Tech Trek was a local program held at Stanford University in 1998, with initial funding from the AAUW Educational Foundation. It became so successful, it is now a National AAUW Program.

The selection process for camp is done by 7th Grade Science and Math Middle School Teachers who nominate students to attend camp. The only way to attend is to be recommended by a teacher(s) and be selected through the local AAUW Branch interview process.

Girls selected to receive sponsorships attend Sonoma State University for one week. They attend core classes taught by teachers and professional women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) featuring hands-on experiments while learning that math and science can be fun. The girls enjoy living in the dorms on a college campus plus special activities planned by the camp Director. AAUW members volunteer to serve as camp staff, dorm moms and chaperons.

Palm Springs (CA) Branch

Welcome to tech trek.

AAUW PALM SPRINGS PURSE AUCTION RAISES $15,000 FOR STEM SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL GIRLS

PALM DESERT, CA (March 9, 2024) – American Association of University Women (AAUW) Palm Springs’ first-time Purse Auction event took place on Wednesday, March 6th at Kiki’s La Quinta featuring an afternoon of fashion, food, and fundraising benefitting the organization’s Tech Trek STEM Summer Camp Program.

The event hosted 65 guests who came together to raise $15,000 funding scholarships for local Coachella Valley junior high school girls to attend for in-person and virtual STEM camp programs this summer at state universities. The event featured a variety of vintage and new purses and handbags filled with gift cards, jewelry, health & wellness services, and other surprise items along with a live auction event featuring packages and experiences from Acrisure Arena, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Spa at JW Marriott, Kiki’s La Quinta and more.

In addition to auction events, a drawing for a diamond tennis bracelet generously provided by El Paseo Jewelers, generated over $4,000 towards the day’s fundraising efforts which allows to up to 4 girls to attend camp. AAUW Palms Springs has raised approximately $45,000 to date in order to provide scholarships for local girls participating in Tech Trek STEM, Tech Trek Alumnae, Gov Trek, and NCWSSL (college) programs.

“We are thrilled at the response and support of our first Purse Auction fundraising event,” stated Gina Rotolo, co-event chair and co-vice president of fundraising for AAUW. “We will be able to send all 25 Coachella Valley junior high school girls to STEM Summer Camp this year thanks to local grants, member contributions, local businesses who donated items for our events this season, and the generous support of all the patrons who attend our event.”

“We intend to reach our $50,000 fundraising goal before we break for the summer and are hopeful to be able to have additional funds leftover so we are able to build upon the success of this year’s events as we look to create even more educational opportunities for local women and girls in the 2024-2025 season,” said Amy Dailey, co-chair of the event and co-vice president of fundraising for AAUW.

AAUW would like to thank the following organizations for their support of the Purse Auction: El Paseo Jewelers, Acrisure Arena, Coachella Valley Firebirds, JW Marriott, Kiki’s La Quinta, Lulu California Bistro, La Petite Salon Deux, Palm Springs Air Museum, Art By Design, Avondale Golf Course, Clarks Nutrition & Natural Foods, Desert Island Country Club, Ben & Jerry’s, The Wax Plant Custom Gifts, Fit in 42 Personal Training, RD RNNR, Kalology Medi-Spa at The Hyatt Indian Wells, SkinnyGlow, and Dave & Busters.

2023 Tech Trek Camp Attended by Coachella Valley Girls

18 students from Coachella valley middle schools were sponsored to attend the AAUW California Tech Trek program for a week on a college campus. These amazing students were nominated by their Math, Science or Technology teachers, completed an application, wrote an essay and then were interviewed by AAUW members. This summer, they completed a week-long intensive experience with STEM education and workshops, heard from inspiring women in STEM careers and interacted with other women and girls with a passion for STEM.  7 attended at the Whittier College campus, 7 at UC San Diego, and 4 virtual camp.

Pictured from L-R: AAUW Palm Springs grant writer Carol Marcuse, Anderson Children’s Foundation representative Brianna Ulhorn and AAUW Palm Springs co-vice president of fundraising Gina Rotolo.

September 7, 2023  – AAUW Palm Springs received an $11,000 grant from Anderson Children’s Foundation to help send local middle school Tech Trek Girls to 2024 STEM Summer Camp programs. The STEM Summer Camp programs provide an incredible week of immersive learning for junior high school girls with focus in robotics, DNA, technology building programs and many more activities that foster a desire for further education within science, technology, and mathematics fields.

2023 Tech Trek STEM Camp – UC San Diego, Whittier College, UC Santa Barbara

CREATES INSPIRATION, EXCITEMENT AND CONFIDENCE  FOR YOUNG WOMEN ABOUT TO ENTER EIGHTH GRADE

Tech Trek is a weeklong academic  residential camp featuring hands-on   activities in science, technology, engineering   and math (STEM). Instructors include  credentialed middle and high school  teachers and professional women in STEM  related careers. Camps are located on a  university or college campus where campers are immersed in the full campus experience. A  hands-on Virtual Tech Trek week is offered for those students who cannot leave home.

How Tech Trekkers are chosen

Every girl attending a Tech Trek STEM Camp is on a  sponsorship and is recommended for the program by her  middle school science or math teacher. Local AAUW branch  coordinators give schools and teachers guidelines for  nominating campers. Recommended girls and their parents   are contacted and girls complete an application and essay.  Local AAUW members interview prospective campers and  then select the number of campers based on the amount of  sponsorship money raised – $1,100 per girl. Parents are  asked to contribute $50 of that.

2023 Tech Trek Campers – Coachella Valley

Faculty and staff

Excellent, experienced teachers have qualifications  including superior knowledge of their subjects and a  high degree of interest in working with middle school  girls. AAUW adult volunteers act as Dorm Moms. Each  camper is assigned to a small “family” group with the  same Dorm Mom for the entire week. Volunteer high  school and college girls (former campers) assist teachers  and other staff. A Registered Nurse is also on the Camp  staff.

Workshops and Field Trips

Field trips & workshops encourage maximum  interaction and learning. An important part of  the camp is the university campus experience.  Campers have the opportunity to live the life of  a college student for the week. They will live in  the dorm, have a roommate (a fellow camper)  they’ve never met, share communal bathrooms,  eat in the dining commons, and explore the  campus area under the careful supervision of camp staff. They also interact with women who  serve as role models, introducing them to a wide range of STEM academic & career possibilities.  

AAUW – National Tech Trek Statistics

https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/tech-trek/

Palm Springs Branch TT Co-Coordinator:

Janet Hartzler Braslow, M.D.

Tech Trek STEM Campers in our area are funded by  donations from AAUW Palm Springs members and  individuals in the Coachella Valley who support STEM  educational opportunities for girls. 

Donations are tax deductible : For Palm Springs area Camper tuition, send checks to: Phyllis Dunn TT Treasurer

PO Box 11423,

Palm Desert, 92255-1423.

Make checks payable to: “ AAUW CA SPF ”. On the Notation line write: “ Palm Springs Camper SPF”

AAUW advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. 

T he AAUW National Tech Trek Program seeks to create a learning environment that  fosters and promotes a culture of respect across identities. We welcome and value  intersections of identity, including gender expression and identity, race, economic status,  sex, sexuality, ethnicity, national origin, first language, religion, and ability. Please note:  Placement of transgender youth is handled on a case-by-case basis, with the welfare  and best interests of the child a top priority. That said, if the child is recognized by the  family and school/community as a girl and lives culturally as a girl, then AAUW is an  organization that can serve her in a setting that is both emotionally and physically safe,  as we do for all our girls.

This is a great way to get involved with your AAUW Palm Springs Chapter!

Latest Tech Trek Update, March 1, 2022, by Janet Braslow

We have received final word about the number of camper slots that we have for 2022. Great news- we will be able to send 9 campers to Tech Trek camps divided between Whittier and UCSB.

Tech Trek is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) camp designed to develop interest, excitement and confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. Activities are held on the university campus where campers have the chance to live the life of a college student. They will experience community living – eating in the dining commons, sharing a dorm room with a roommate they’ve never met – all under careful staff supervision.

At each camp, girls receive an in-depth, week-long course focused on STEM core classes that they attend daily. Rotating labs are designed to explore individual specialties more deeply. Girls also take shorter math and science-related and off-campus field trips that encourage maximum learning.

Help us choose Trekkers!

Every girl attending a Tech Trek STEM Camp is on a full sponsorship, and is first recommended for the program by her middle school science or math teacher. Recommended girls and their parents are contacted and girls are asked to write a short essay.

Local AAUW members interview prospective campers. From there they select the number of campers, based on the amount of sponsorship money raised.

AAUW Palm Springs sponsors Tech Trek at UC Irvine

Join the young women on their experience!

AAUW member-volunteers serve as dorm moms, camp nurses and classroom aides. High school and college girls (former campers) provide assistance to teachers and other staff.

TT Dorm Mom/Counselor Job Description

2016 Tech Trek Campers – Palm Springs area

Tech Trek STEM Camps are funded by donations from AAUW members, the community, grants from entities such as Verizon & Symantec.

Donate to the AAUW Funds: Click here for Funds Info

Donate in memoriam: Liliane Shuman Elizabeth Nash Lucille Fostveldt

Interested in supporting our young women but have questions about the program? Please feel free to email us at [email protected] .

Tech Trek 2019

University Women: Empowering Women, One Girl at a Time Dr. Mona Khanna, Special to The Desert Sun

Lucky Coachella Valley eighth grade girls can thank the Palm Springs chapter of the American Association of University Women for helping to launch their careers in science through a unique camp opportunity. That’s because when these local women set their sights on something, they are unstoppable.

Unstoppable also characterizes the careers of these AAUW members. Take Sharrell Blakely. She started her career as a clinical social worker and became a leading California voice in child welfare reform, creating the Office of Child Abuse Prevention and the Pregnant and Parenting Women’s Alternative Sentencing Program. Working under five governors, she also advanced child policies through the Family and Children’s Policy Bureau and Adoptions Bureau for the state. Her accomplishments, she said, were only the means to an end — the protection and advancement of children and their families. She is an avid AAUW member who prefers, instead, to talk about the organization’s achievements.

Its signature program, Tech Trek, provides “a life-altering experience that significantly impacts girls’ educational path in high school and leads to college admissions.”

Tech Trek at Stockton University July 21-27, 2024

For more information, email [email protected] Check out our video: New Jersey Tech Trek: Get Involved!  “I had always been worried about going into a male-dominated field,” said one camper. “Tech Trek has made me feel more confident about my abilities in STEM and has made me want to follow my dreams of becoming a medical engineer.” At Tech Trek, girls are immersed in a world that empowers and encourages them to think about themselves as future scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer specialists.

This one-week, residential, hands-on STEM camp for rising eighth-grade girls got its start more than 20 years ago, when AAUW of California member Marie Wolbach applied for an AAUW Community Action Grant to open a science camp for girls on the Stanford University campus. Wolbach and AAUW of California have since expanded the program to 10 camps in California alone.

After seeing how effective the program is — alumnae are more likely than their peers to take advanced science and math classes and eventually to go to college — AAUW decided to take the program nationwide. In 2013, Tech Trek was expanded to four states, Ohio, Oklahoma, Florida and Washington, and is already changing the lives of the girls who attended.

In 2015, New Jersey joined the expansion at Stockton University and expanded to host 60 girls from 2016-2019!   Watch the 2015 Stockton Tech Trek Camp video and click the Photos link above to see archives from our 2016-2019 camps. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the 2020 camp was offered online in 2021, we held abbreviated alumni STEMinist Camps in 2022 , and returned with a new cohort of campers in 2023 .

Campers take part in activities like programming robots, extracting their own DNA, formulating lip gloss in a chemistry lab, visiting the FAA Technical Center or e-Sports Lab or coastal waters or Pinelands Preserve, and much more! Tech Trek has been shown to significantly increase girls’ self-confidence and their interest in and excitement about the STEM fields, which is why AAUW New Jersey continues to host Tech Trek at Stockton University each year.

The program puts AAUW’s groundbreaking Why So Few?  and Solving the Equation research reports into action in a female-led, inclusive, residential university setting. Tech Trek’s formula follows the reports’ recommendations, introducing girls to role models and career choices and giving campers the opportunity to reside on a college campus. Find out how you can support a camp today: volunteer, nominate a camper, or sponsor the camp with a tax deductible gift (use any of the links on the right to donate).

#TechTrekNJ

Donate to support girls in STEM , learn more about our upcoming Tech Trek camp ,  view our camp model , and discover AAUW’s mission and vision !

Is Tech Trek right for my daughter?

Tech Trek is an exciting and engaging one-week summer camp for girls featuring hands-on science and technology classes, a fun and educational field trip, opportunities to meet inspiring women role models, and a unique college campus experience. To attend, families need only pay a $50 registration fee.

Your daughter is a good fit for Tech Trek if she is currently in the 7 th grade and interested in math and science with the potential to excel. Tech Trek is looking for girls who have not had the opportunity for experiences like Tech Trek before, but are excited by the opportunity to try something new, learn new things, and challenge herself. The ideal Tech Trek camper cooperates with teachers, shows respect for other students, regularly participates in class discussions, and makes positive choices for herself in and out of class. To apply, girls must be nominated by their science or math teacher.

• “My camp experience made myself a lot more confident about pursuing a STEM career, and it made me realize that there are a lot of other girls out there who are interested in STEM careers too. It made me more confident that I could get a career in STEM.”
• “My experience at Tech Trek was really fun. I got to connect with girls my age with similar interest at me and learn about different sciences and math I get a career in. I’ve learned about a lot of different things and careers like oceanology and astronomy, which I now have an interest in thanks to the people who came and talked to us about it.”

Tech Trek Really Works!

We surveyed girls who attended Tech Trek in California several years after they attended Tech Trek. The results speak for themselves :

• 82% of girls chose to take more science classes in high school because of Tech Trek
• 91% of girls reported that Tech Trek boosted their self-confidence in their ability to be successful in science classes
• 77% of girls say that Tech Trek increased their interest in technology
• 87% of girls say that Tech Trek introduced them to new STEM careers
• 96% of Tech Trek alumnae go to college

Learn more about AAUW’s Tech Trek camps: Tech Trek in AL – AAUW Huntsville (AL) Branch At University of Alabama in Huntsville Tech Trek in CA – AAUW of California At University of California, Davis Tech Trek in CA – AAUW of California At California State University, Fresno Tech Trek in CA – AAUW of California At University of California, Irvine Tech Trek in CA – AAUW of California At University of California, San Diego Tech Trek in CA – AAUW of California At University of California, Santa Barbara Tech Trek in CA – AAUW of California At Sonoma State University Tech Trek in CA – AAUW of California At Stanford University Tech Trek in CA – AAUW of California At Whittier College Tech Trek in FL – AAUW of Florida At Palm Beach State College Tech Trek in IA – AAUW Storm Lake (IA) Branch At Buena Vista University Tech Trek in NJ – AAUW Atlantic County (NJ) Branch At Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Tech Trek in NM – AAUW of New Mexico At New Mexico Tech Tech Trek in OH – AAUW Bowling Green (OH) Branch At Bowling Green State University Tech Trek in OR – AAUW Tillamook (OR) Branch At Tillamook Bay Community College Tech Trek in WA – AAUW Washington At Pacific Lutheran University and Eastern Washington University

About Our Camp

What is a Tech Trek Camp?

From building model bridges, designing computer applications, programming robotic cars, being a marine biologist for a day and exploring wind power, what do these girls have in common? They all are experiencing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)! You too can participate in STEM. In 2019 AAUW  Florida held its seventh “Tech Trek”, a week-long STEM residential experience for girls going into the 8th grade at Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter and another at Stetson  University  in Deland. The 2020 camps were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  There were two virtual camps in 2021, one for the girls who had been selected for the 2020 camps and one for the girls selected to attend the 2021 camp. Each will have an enrollment of 48 girls. In 2022 there was one virtual camp and in 2023 there were two in person camps; one at Stetson and the other at Florida Atlantic Jupiter campus. Young ladies again were nominated to attend by science and math teachers. The girls completed applications that included answering questions and writing an essay. Later they were interviewed by nearby AAUW members.

Florida Tech Trek History

Tech Trek is a model STEM camp that AAUW has used in California beginning in 2000  with a camp at Stanford University. Since then Tech Trek camps have expanded to ten college campuses in California and have served more than 10,000 girls. The first Florida Tech Trek was held in the summer of 2013 on the University of Central Florida campus, where 40  girls participated  in STEM activities. The second and third camps were held  on the Eckerd College campus in St. Petersburg. Sixty girls attended the fourth camp in Boca Raton on the campus of Palm Beach State College, Sixty-two girls attended the 5th camp, and sixty-four girls attended the 6th camp also at Palm Beach State College.

In the 7th year there two camps attended by 48 girls at Stetson University and another 48 girls at Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter. The next year, 2020 the camps were cancelled due to the pandemic. In 2021 there were two virtual camps, each attended by 47 girls. In 2022 there was one virtual camp  because the status of Covid-19 was uncertain at the time we had to decide if it was safe for the girls to reside in dorms on a college campus. In 2023 we had two very successful on site camps with 48 girls at each camp. The planning is underway for two camps in 2024.

Girls who attended the camps were exposed to diverse career paths in the STEM fields and discovered how STEM impacted their daily lives. They participated in hands-on-activities that increased their learning and met female STEM role models of all ages. They met, became friends with, and worked with girls from other schools with similar interests. On some projects they worked in pairs to solve a problem, create something new or build an item  such as a robot or a bridge.

. How to Support Tech Trek

The financial support of corporate sponsors, AAUW branches and generous individuals are needed each year to make a girl’s dream dream of attending a Tech Trek camp a reality!  The only cost to the girls selected to attend a camp is a $50 registration fee. Camp would not be possible without volunteers to assist teachers, serve as camp staff, assist with hands-on workshops, field trips, special events, and reach out to Florida communities to enlist the help of corporations and female STEM role models. Tech Trek Florida is a project of the AAUW Florida Supporting Foundation, Inc. Please make checks payable to the AAUW Florida Supporting Foundation, Inc. with Tech Trek noted in the memo line.  Mail to Tech Trek, AAUW Florida Supporting Foundation , PO Box 126, Palm City, FL 33991. Contributions to the camps are income  tax-deductible.  If you are interested in making an in-kind contribution please contact the Tech Trek Camp Coordinator at [email protected] to be sure it is something the camps needs or can use.

Welcome to Tech Trek NM!

Tech Trek New Mexico is a week long camp held on the campus of New Mexico Tech in Socorro, NM for girls who are passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

A note from a parent:

Dear leaders of techtrek nm,, my husband, david and i would like to express our sincerest gratitude to your organization. because of techtrek our daughter, maya, has decided to attend new mexico institute of mining and technology in socorro,  new mexico. the week-long techtrek camp she attended really inspired her to pursue her desire to become an engineer.  she plans on majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in aerospace engineering or computer science. ,   we’re also grateful that our younger daughter, isa who is now a high school freshman, also had the opportunity to attend techtrek. we are looking forward to seeing what she decides to do.  being surrounded for a week by successful women is inspiring and helps young women gain confidence and for this,  we thank you. .

A Word from an Alumnae

This comment came from one of our Alumnae who also worked as a Camp Counselor. McKenna is now attending Colorado State University studying electrical engineering. 

“tech trek had a significant influence on my decision to major in electrical engineering.  i have many family members in stem,  but all of them are men. so i never really got to see good examples of women in stem. when i was a camper  in 2018, tech trek showed me that i was not only capable of being in stem,  but it could also be fun from then on, i was strongly considering being an engineer, which led to where i am today. when i was a junior counselor in 2022, i was able to see the other side of that. i got to see girls having the same revelations that i had many years before. i got to spend time among brilliant young women who represent what our stem field will hopefully look like in years to come.”.

Video from Tech Trek New Mexico 2023

Watch this video from a 2023 Core Class World in Motion

Tech Trek was featured on 60 Minutes! Watch the 60 Minutes Clip here!

Click Here for a PDF of our 2024 Student Flyer

What is Tech Trek?

Networking during the Professional Women’s Night.

“I had always been worried about going into a male-dominated field,” said one camper in Washington. “Tech Trek has made me feel more confident about my abilities in STEM and has made me want to follow my dreams of becoming a medical engineer.”

At Tech Trek, girls are immersed in a world that empowers and encourages them to think about themselves as future scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer specialists.

This one-week STEM camp for rising eighth-grade girls got its start 25 years ago, when AAUW of California member Marie Wolbach applied for an AAUW Community Action Grant to open a science camp for girls on the Stanford University campus. Wolbach and AAUW of California have since expanded the program to 10 camps in California alone . And also launched its collection of fake Rolex , which can be found on this site . What really helped them!

After seeing how effective the program is — alumnae are more likely than their peers to take advanced science and math classes and eventually to go to college — AAUW decided to take the program nationwide. In 2013, Tech Trek was expanded to four states, Ohio, Oklahoma, Florida and Washington, and is already changing the lives of the girls who attended. New Mexico hosted Tech Trek for the first time in 2014. Alabama, New Jersey and Oregon also hold Tech Trek camps.

Campers took part in activities like building and programming robots, extracting their own DNA, learning how computer simulations are used to predict weather patterns, and much more! Tech Trek has been shown to significantly increase girls’ self-confidence and their interest in and excitement about the STEM fields, which is why AAUW is expanding Tech Trek to more and more states each year.

The program puts AAUW’s groundbreaking Why So Few? research report into action. Tech Trek’s formula follows the report’s recommendations, introducing girls to role models and career choices and giving campers the opportunity to reside on a college campus. Find out how you can support a camp today!

About Our Camp

2021 camp schedule, pacific lutheran university, tacoma, july 11-17, 2021 (dunbar) pacific lutheran university, tacoma, july 18-24, 2021 (mcclintock) eastern washington university, cheney, july 25-31, 2021.

Tech Trek growth in Washington has been phenomenal! since 2013, Twenty-two of AAUW-WA’s 34 branches selected 188 campers to attend in 2019.  Combined with numbers from 2013 through 2018, a total of almost 1,000 girls in Washington have been served by this program in it’s fist seven years of existence. Over $1,000,000 has been raised within AAUW Washington to support this program.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 camps were canceled nationwide. AAUW Washington will have three weeks of camps at two sites in 2021 — two weeks at Pacific Lutheran University and one week Eastern Washington University.

Branches will be contacting local 7th grade STEM teachers this fall, seeking recommendations for potential campers.

All campers must have a recommendation from a STEM teacher (preferably both math and science), complete the Tech Trek application form (including writing an essay) and be interviewed by local AAUW branch members.  Families are expected to provide transportation for their daughter to/from camp and are asked to pay a $50 family fee. The remaining cost — estimated at $1,000 per camper for 202 — is covered by AAUW-WA fundraising efforts at both the branch and state level.  For more information, contact your local AAUW branch or AAUW WA Tech Trek at [email protected] .

AAUW Washington currently has 34 active branches with approximately 1700 members. In 2013, 15 branches selected 50 campers to attend.  In 2019, 22 branches participated in Tech Trek by nominating, funding and selecting 188 campers to attend.  AAUW WA Online branch became involved in soliciting nominations, reviewing applications and interviewing camper candidates from areas of the state where there is no local AAUW branch in 2015 when Tech Trek WA added the camp at EWU. AAUW Idaho and AAUW Coeur d’Alene Branch joined the Tech Trek WA family in 2017, selecting and funding two campers from the Coeur d’Alene area (25 miles from Spokane, WA).  We look forward to having these same 22 branches, plus additional Washington branches support campers for 2021.

Programs that specifically foster girls’ interest to consider the STEM fields as potential careers are few and far between in Washington state.  Since 2001. AAUW Washington has had a statewide initiative for Recognition of STEM Scholars.  Since the early 1980s, individual branches have held Expanding Your Horizons conferences in their local communities; in 2011-12, approximately 1,000 of the 3,200 total students attending EYH programs in the state attended AAUW sponsored conferences.

Tech Trek is unique among Washington’s STEM summer programs in that it provides full financial support to campers, is a residential camp held on a college/university campus and is one of the few programs designed specifically for girls going into the 8 th grade.

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Home » Home » Florida Tech Offering STEM Camps Tailored for Rising 5-8 Graders

Florida Tech Offering STEM Camps Tailored for Rising 5-8 Graders

By Space Coast Daily  //  April 10, 2024

Weeklong Camps from June-August Tailored for Rising 5-8 Graders

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech’s summer camps are officially open for registration. Students with curious minds are invited to participate in these STEM-focused programs on campus.

STEMPower Summer Camps, hosted by Florida Tech’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design (CAMID), are tailored for rising fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students.

The five-day camp, with sessions in June, July, and August, will immerse students in science, technology, engineering, and math with exciting, hands-on challenges, including coding robots to complete challenges, designing video games, manufacturing basic electronic circuits, and learning about cybersecurity.

“I’m thrilled about this year’s programming because we’re introducing several exciting new activities. One of the highlights is the addition of DJI Robomaster robots, which will serve as information rovers, bringing a dynamic element to our sessions,” said Jared Campbell, STEM outreach manager at Florida Tech’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design.

“Additionally, we’ll be diving back into the world of electronic circuit manufacturing with engaging new projects, exploring fresh cybersecurity lessons, and much more.”

The camp was developed to help young learners build strong STEM foundations. Throughout each session, they will learn from award-winning instructors who know how to make complex material both understandable and fun.

“With these enhancements, I’m confident that this year’s program will be even more captivating and enriching than last year, offering participants an unforgettable learning experience,” Campbell said.

Starting the week of June 10 and concluding the week of Aug. 5, there will be three STEMPower sessions for fifth and sixth graders and four for seventh and eighth graders. Each day will run from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Click here to find the full schedule>>>

Camps at Florida Tech can fill up fast. A credit card is required to register and camp fees are non-refundable.

Florida Tech is also hosting the GenCyber Summer Camp from June 10-14.

This camp, held at the university’s Gordon L. Nelson Health Sciences building, will admit 40 currently enrolled high school students living in Brevard County. Students must apply to be considered for a spot.

The camp is designed to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by providing over 60 hours of cybersecurity instruction, activities, and exciting challenges.

All GenCyber Summer Camp expenses are covered by a grant from the National Security Agency GenCyber program.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

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Check out Moscow’s NEW electric river trams (PHOTOS)

Water transportation has become another sector for the eco-friendly improvements the Moscow government is implementing. And it means business. On July 15, 2021, on the dock of Moscow’s ‘Zaryadye’ park, mayor Sergey Sobyanin was shown the first model of the upcoming river cruise boat.

The model of the electrical boat with panoramic windows measures 22 meters in length. The river tram - as Muscovites call them - has a passenger capacity of 42, including two disabled seats. The trams will also get cutting edge info panels, USB docking stations, Wi-Fi, spaces for scooters and bicycles, as well as chairs and desks for working on the go. The boats will be available all year round, according to ‘Mosgortrans’, the regional transport agency. 

Passengers will be able to pay with their ‘Troika’ public transport card, credit cards or bank cards. 

The main clientele targeted are people living in Moscow’s river districts - the upcoming trams will shorten their travel time in comparison to buses and other transportation by five times, Mosgortrans stated. 

As the river trams are being rolled out, Moscow docks will also see mini-stations, some of which will also be outfitted with charging docks for speed-charging the boats.  

Moscow is set to announce the start of the tender for construction and supply in September 2021. The first trams are scheduled to launch in June 2022 on two routes - from Kievskaya Station, through Moscow City, into Fili; and from ZIL to Pechatniki. 

“Two full-scale routes will be created in 2022-2023, serviced by 20 river trams and a number of river stations. We’ll continue to develop them further if they prove to be popular with the citizens,” the Moscow mayor said .

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Amazing Architecture

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• iCity: the new Moscow high-tech complex of two skyscrapers d...

iCity: the new Moscow high-tech complex of two skyscrapers designed by CPU PRIDE and Helmut Jahn architects

Architect's statement: "iCity" is an important project for CPU PRIDE , in which we act as the general designer. The team of CPU PRIDE worked on the project for the developer MR Group together with one of the most famous architects, the author of the architectural concept "iCity" - Helmut Jan.

iCity is an architectural composition of 2 strict and minimalistic «Space and Time" towers of 34 and 61 floors. At the base  the towers are united by an 8-story stylobate with a trafficable green roof  and an atrium space inside.

Despite the limited site, the team managed to turn the location in the most constrained conditions of the traffic interchange, with many planning restrictions, into an advantage of the accessibility of various modes of transport. It is worth noting that "iCity" is designed taking into account global trends in energy efficiency, including the building divided into several blocks that can operate autonomously.

Working on iCity we developed our own approaches and methodologies for BIM modeling, compiled roadmaps for design and developed BIM standards for this project. We would like to note that the work on development of new approaches and methods for BIM modeling also had a training and educational function for the PRIDE  team.

Building services density is one of the main features of iCity. It prompted us to use new approaches to find and eliminate collisions. These approaches actively used the programming tools "Dynamo" and "Python" under PyRevit. Quite a few scripts and plugins were written to automate routine tasks.  For example: "cutting shafts and holes for utility networks," "autocomplete parameters for the BIM standard of the customer", "model checker, for model validation" and much more.

All this helped to control a huge amount of information coming in and out of related departments, find and correct errors faster, and, as a result, provide the customer with the most detailed model for holding a tender.

The project also involves: MB-Project, Metropolis, Gillespies, Priedemann, Clancy Engineering, Werner Sobek, Jappsen, L-Plan, Arteza.

Creative Production Union PRIDE handles a full line-up of services: from creating concepts to leveraging urban potential; creation of design development and construction documentation of buildings and supervision of the construction phase.

Today, the company employs more than 120  highly qualified specialists, including 70 architects. We not only provide architectural design, but also master plan development, structural and engineering projects, as well as on-site supervision and cost estimation.

By Naser Nader Ibrahim

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• Myznikova Elena
• Public and Business Center
• Jahn Architecture
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