Three local students selected for Tech Trek program this summer

Three Lind-Ritzville Middle School students, Rachel Nygren, Haley Kulm, and Diamond Spain have been selected to attend Tech Trek, a week-long science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) camp to be held July 26- August 1 at Eastern Washington University.

Tech Trek is an AAUW sponsored learning experience for girls who are entering eighth grade. Nygren, Kulm, and Spain applied for the camp and were selected by their teachers. The Ritzville Branch of AAUW and Washington State AAUW sponsor both.

Nygren, Kulm, Spain will reside at EWU where they will have daily core classes in math or science. Hands on learning activities such as building and testing roller coaster and bridge models, creating a robotic hand and making soap are enriched by the opportunities for the girls to also interact daily with women STEM professionals.

A daylong field trip will provide the girls with a chance to learn about a STEM profession in person and witness a STEM environment.

During the Professional Women’s Night women STEM professionals from the community speak, providing key insights into the successes and challenges

of working in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Many of the girls then begin to think of themselves as future scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer specialists.

The camp is designed to develop girls’ interest, excitement, and self-confidence in STEM fields. Tech Trek started in 1998 with one site in California and in 17 years has continued to grow, to Ohio, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas and Washington. Ritzville has sponsored girls to the camp offered at PLU, and this year two camps are offered in Washington with an expected 120 girls attending.