Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A group of eight girls from the Whitman County area went to a new kind of summer camp in July.
Held at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, the first Tech Trek camp for Eastern Washington took place July 12 –18, aiming to encourage girls’ interest in STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and math.
The camp was put on by Washington chapters of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), an organization formed in 1891.
To choose campers for the inaugural E.W.U. week, the Palouse-Garfield branch of AAUW interviewed and gave a scholarship to pay for one girl. The state organization, in turn, in the months leading up to the camp, provided more money, adding to the scholarships for the E.W.U. camp.
Ultimately, eight area girls were chosen and each attended on scholarship, the $900 individual cost covered.
Each of the girls who went to camp at Eastern were recommended by a science or math teacher, completed an application, wrote an essay and were interviewed.
At camp, the eight girls – among 50 total – participated in such activities as forensic practices, studying genetic coding, designing and commanding small robots, designing bridges and practicing cybersecurity.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Lexi Brandt, 13, of Palouse. “I learned a lot.”
Her favorite activities were a core class on matters of climate change, a lab on how to make lip gloss and making ice cream using dry ice.
“It was pretty cool,” she said.
At night, the campers stayed in pairs in dormitory rooms.
“They’re really, really small,” said Brandt.
Taylor Camp, 13, of Oakesdale chose robotics as her core class, part of a week that included time in classrooms, laboratories and a field trip to Liberty Lake Park.
“I would do it again, if I could,” she said of the camp.
In school, her favorite class is science.
“I want to go to college and work with robotics,” Camp said.
Girls who attended from the Whitman County area included Brantner, Camp, Lauren Welch (Garfield), Julie Baljo (Oakesdale), Madison Dingman (Oakesdale), Maya Anderson (Clarkston), Ruth Ogden (Clarkston) and Lauren Stubbs (LaCrosse).
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for local girls who may not get a chance to bond with women excited about science and math,” said Yvonne Berliner, Coordinator, AAUW Palouse-Garfield branch.
A 2010 research report by the AAUW showed findings that girls who have interest in STEM subjects often get turned off in the junior high school years, due to social barriers – including stereotypes, gender bias, and later, the climate of science and engineering departments in colleges and universities.
“Usually by eighth grade, the environment has knocked it out of them,” Berliner said.
The AAUW began the Tech Trek camps to help foster the next generation of female STEM professionals by encouraging girls through fun and challenging activities to develop their interest in STEM while introducing girls to female role models in the field.
“The camp may have a multiplier effect once they go back to school, because it could also stimulate the teachers, as the girls talk about their experience,” said Berliner.
The AAUW Palouse-Garfield Branch has previously given a monetary prize for the best female high school graduate in STEM subjects, paid for by fundraising such as silent auctions and the sale of gift boxes of commodities – barley, chickpeas, wheat, lentils – which they sell at fairs.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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