Ready for uplifting news about young women having an impact in Solano County? Then join the free public Zoom program hosted by The Benicia-Vallejo branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) – “Tech Trek STEM Camp – Making a Difference.”
Participants may sign in starting at 6:45 pm; the program starts at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, 2020.
Individuals may join the Zoom meeting by using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4435328434
The Meeting ID is 443 532 8434. The Passcode is AAUW. CALL JAN 707 342-0620 IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE GETTING ONTO ZOOM!
Tech Trek is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) camp designed to develop interest, excitement, and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. It features hands-on activities in STEM-related fields. The participants get to hear first-hand from women in STEM professions about the successes and obstacles to their chosen career. The students learn how to prepare through high school to attend community colleges and universities to pursue their dreams in a given field.
The meeting will feature three alumna participants who were selected during their 7th grade summer to attend the Tech Trek week-long residential camp at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park. These include Gillian Mead, a 2019 scholarship winner from Benicia Middle School; Allayh Miller from Hogan Middle School who won in 2018; and Caitlin Begbie, from Benicia Middle School who won in 2017 and also served as a junior counselor in the next year. The parents and nominating teachers for each of the students will add their perspective to the presentation.
The 2021 Tech Trek camp will be held virtually. A dynamic design allowing girls to meet 100 other girls from across the Bay Area will be created. The competition process will begin in January, 2021 and is open to 7th Grade girls in all of Benicia and Vallejo’s public schools. Girls interested in competing for the scholarship should contact their math or science teacher who can then contact Benicia-Vallejo AUW branch to follow the nomination process.
Benicia-Vallejo AAUW has sponsored campers since the first Tech Trek camp was held at Stanford University in 1998, with initial funding from the AAUW Educational Foundation. Since that time, Benicia-Vallejo AAUW has awarded scholarships to more than 100 Vallejo and more than 50 Benicia middle school girls. Research since 1998 validates that the camp influences girls’ further studies in math and science for high school, college and career selection.
