Galbreath presents to AAUW chapter about Tech Trek experience

The members of the Ritzville Chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW) enjoyed an energetic and informational presentation from Taylor Galbreath on Sept. 12.

The local AAUW chapter sponsored Galbreath’s trip to Tech Trek, a camp that is focused on teaching young girls about career opportunities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Galbreath attended Tech Trek in August, where she focused on learning about cybersecurity. Those attending the camp had a chance to focus on one of four categories: cybersecurity, the human body, robotics and electricity.

The coursework included classroom-based learning, as well as hands on activities. One project included learning about binary code and to expand their knowledge on the topic, they created bracelets, Galbreath explained.

The experience also allowed Galbreath to learn more about the cybersecurity field, including learning that not all hackers are bad. She said there are hackers who assist the government and help with national security in an effort to stop criminal activity.

The remainder of the camp included information about the dark web and deep web, how to protect your identity online, how to clean your search history and how to make creative passwords.

One of the activities the cybersecurity students participated in was an escape room, Galbreath explained.

For the activity, students took apart devices like laptops, keyboards and hard drives in order to learn about and see the different components involved with the technological items.

During the week of camp at Eastern Washington University, those participating in Tech Trek also had the chance to attend a field trip to Washington State University’s Health Sciences or the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge.

Galbreath traveled to the WSU health center, where she learned about a variety of careers in the health science field. She stated originally she thought she wanted to be a nurse, but now she is considering roles like a physical therapist.

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I got to see how everyone can make a difference and change people’s lives,” Galbreath said.

For Galbreath, the most important component of Tech Trek was learning about new areas of the science field, and expanding her views on potential careers for her future. She joked she also learned that she will have to really commit to college if she wants to pursue a career in science.

Galbreath stated she wished she could attend the camp every year, but understands it is only for young women moving into the seventh grade.

In order to help boost awareness and interest in Tech Trek, Galbreath will be making a presentation to her peers about her experience in hopes of multiple Lind or Ritzville students attending the camp next year, which the local AAUW chapter plans to sponsor.