From July 14 to 19, Tech Trek, a residential summer camp free to 74 California girls, including six locals, took place at UC Santa Cruz, thanks to the American Association of University Women branches that provide sponsorships.
Adding drops
The Goal: To encourage 8th-grade girls to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The Reason: Only about 27% of professionals working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are women.
The girls spent time in the biology lab, growing cultures overnight and looking at them under the microscope. They were encouraged to invent something to help differently-abled people. They built three-dimensional cityscapes in math class and built motors, cars and flashlights in engineering class.
Camp director Dr. Mimi Isaac said,“One of the most important things that Tech Trek has done over the last 25+ years is exactly what researchers tell us is critical to getting more gender parity in STEM fields: Building that sense of STEM identity and belonging among a community of like-minded girls and women. Put simply, we become their STEM “tribe,” the place they can explore their geekier side without fear of rejection or worrying about whether they will fulfill the stereotype that women are worse at math. It is really just about building community.”
Highlights:
Looking through the microsocope
Electrical Circuits: Dr. Mary Bonk Isaac guiding students in creating light-up greeting cards and 3D paper sculptures using copper tape and LED lights.
Microbiology Exploration: UC Santa Cruz’s Women in Science and Engineering program introducing students to bacterial culturing, microscopy, and staining techniques.
Molecular and Environmental Biology: Students exploring the scientific method through experiments, from studying bacteria to examining butterfly gardens and redwood forests.
Structural Engineering: Professor Rhoxanne Morris from Cabrillo College teaching students to create strong structures, culminating in the “Build It Night.”
The girls were divided into 9 dorm groups and had all week to roll newspapers for this project.
They came to the event with the rolled papers and were given masking tape and scissors with one hour to build. The counselors judged the projects and every group received an award, Best Engineering, Most Unusual, etc.
Preparing culture dishes
It wasn’t a contest about how high you could build. It was to be creative — which they were.
One team built a UCSC mascot, the banana slug. Another built The White House with a miniature President Biden at the podium. Others built a castle tower, a couture dress, a working putt-putt windmill, and a scooter (inspired by the camp director who rode a scooter for most of the week).
“Women are missing out on high-paying, satisfying careers when they don’t consider a STEM profession,” says Doreen O’Donovan, president of the Santa Cruz Branch of AAUW and camp staff. “Middle school is a crucial age when students are still forming ideas about their futures. We’re not just teaching skills — we’re opening doors, challenging stereotypes, and nurturing the confidence these girls need to pursue STEM careers.”
TOP PHOTO: Eighth graders with the banana slug model they built at Tech Trek summer camp.