Two LRMS students set to attend Tech Trek

Two Lind-Ritzville Middle School students, Essance Holland and Grace Saint John, have been selected to attend Tech Trek, a weeklong science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) camp on July 31 to Aug. 6 at Eastern Washington University.

Tech Trek is an AAUW sponsored learning experience for girls who are entering eighth grade.

Holland and Saint John applied for the camp and were selected by their teachers. The Ritzville Branch of AAUW and Washington State AAUW sponsor both students.

Holland and Saint will reside at EWU where they will have daily core classes in math or science. Hands on learning activities such as building rockets and extracting DNA 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.

Women STEM professionals from the community share 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 18 years has continued to grow, now offered at 21 different campuses covering 10 states. Ritzville has sponsored girls to the camp offered at PLU.

With the addition in 2015 of the camp at EWU, two camps are offered in Washington with an expected 120 girls attending. To learn more, see http://www.aauw-wa.aauw.net

Funds from the local branch’s efforts to support Tech Trek are generated through community support for the Ritzville Holiday Bazaar and the used books and bake sales offered by the Ritzville Branch.