Tech Trek - Science Camp for Girls
New Research Reveals Tech Trek Success Stories
Go to www.aauw-ca.org

About Tech Trek:  Tech Trek is a summer residential camp for local girls entering 8th grade.  It started in 1998 with an Educational Foundation Community Action Grant for one California college campus (Stanford) and now the program has expanded to camps on five campuses.  Qualified female, middle school science and math teachers are hired to teach the "campers" hands-on classes.  Courses include: robotics, women in math, marine biology, microbiology, solar energy, and DNA extraction.  In addition, the "campers" attend presentations by experts on these subjects and go on related field trips to labs.

On June 14, 2009: An Ice Cream social was held at the Daisy Hill mobil home park.  The purpose was for the girls chosen by the 5 SLO County AAUW Branches to attend Tech Trek and their families to all meet one another in preparation for the shared Tech Trek adventure. One half of the girls are going to attend tech trek science camp at UCSB for marine science and one half will go to Fresno State for physical science.  

The girls all had an easy time talking to one another.  Their excitement and enthusiasm were apparent with the level of laughter that was heard.  Also attending were two students who were tech trekers last year.  They and their parents came to share their experiences carried an enthusiasm that was easily transferred to this years attendees and their parents.  The discussion among the parents went very well.  There were two sets of parents who talked about their girls experiences and what their initial fears had been as protective parents sending their daughters to spend a week at tech trek on a college campus.  They were able to answer questions and convey their enthusiasm for the program....People ate alot of ice cream, laughed alot and had a great time.

In 2009, seven tech trek "campers" were selected by the Atascadero branch.

Funding This 2009 Mission:

Quota International (Atascadero Branch):  Donated the total tuition of $800 for one camper.  See photo at right.

Medical Professionals Ron Barbieri, DDS; John Edgerton, DDS; Todd Lomelino, MD; and Elena Martinho, MD, donated to the tech trek camper campaign. 

AAAU-Atascadero Branch Members:  Many individual members individually donated to Tech Trek.

Successful Tech Trek Rummage Sale: On February 28, 2009, branch members arrived early to sort and arrange rummage items collected this past year to help fund six entire scholarships for Tech Trek summer camp.  Ladies, we thank you for a job well done.

  
Above Left: AAUW Co-Presidents appreciate the donated bikes and a beautiful uni-cycle.  About Right:  Chairwoman and an AAUW branch member admire a beautiful jacket donated for the sale. 

       
Many AAUW members assisted in arranging the excellent buys and helping the customers.  Members donated the use of display tables and extra chairs.  Some members made coffee, muffins, and cookies, etc., for sale.  It was a very successful day, and our hats are off to the fund raiser team and all the branch members who assisted.


Other Ways You Can Donate:
 
 


This year, when you shop on-line. branch members and friends can easily donate to Tech Trek via the website "igive.com."  

First, go to www.igive.com to register.  You do not need to give credit card information, just an email address.  At "igive's" Home Page, select....
State:
California
Cause:
All
Search
AAUW
Click on: AAUW Atascadero (Tech Trek)

Second, when you want to buy something on-line, check to see if the store is listed with "igive.com." Enjoy shopping. Then, the "listed" store will donate a percentage of your purchase directly to Tech Trek.  It's easy!

This year, when you shop, shop on-line.

Here are some "thank you" quotes from 2008 Tech Trek campers:

"Tech Trek helped me to realize that there are many opportunities in math and science fields for women and that I, like the professional women we met, can accomplish many things."

"Tech Trek was my first introduction into the world of science outside the classroom.  It was especially important to me because, as a child of an underprivileged family, I have had very few opportunities to learn in such a hands-on fashion."

"Tech Trek was an amazing experience that I will cherish forever.  It gave me a little nudge to seriously consider science as a career path."


In 2007: 
Our branch sent 5 girls to "Tech Trek" at UCSB.

For More Information:
  Go to http://www.aauw-ca.org/  


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