Tech Trek Science and Math Camp for Girls

Tech Trek is a week-long science and math camp designed to develop interest, excitement, and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. It features hands-on activities in math, science, and related fields.  Since the first camp at Stanford in 1998, AAUW-OML has sent 134 Lamorinda middle school girls to Tech Trek camp.

Tech Trek Camp in 2024 at Santa Clara University, July 7-13

Seven Lamorinda seventh grade girls were selected to attend camp:
. Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School:  Sadie Ginestro and Athena
Simbajon
. Stanley Middle School: Olivia Sanders, Priya Holl and Quinn Sousa
. Orinda Intermediate School – Merritt Thompson and Madelyn Azalde

“Morning core classes full of hands-on activities at Tech Trek camp at Santa Clara University were Engineering, Forensics, Climate Science and Botany.  Afternoon and evening workshops included building robots, soldering to make a flashlight and measuring vitamin C content in chemistry lab.  Everyone went on a field trip to the Alviso marshlands and salt flats and the Valley Wastewater Recycling Plant where they showed the process to make household effluent water clean enough to drink.”

All girls attend Tech Trek camp on scholarships provided by AAUW branches, working with participating middle schools in their area. Seventh grade science and/or math teachers at these schools recommend prospective candidates who then go through an extensive qualification process that includes an application, a written essay and a personal interview. Camp curriculum is targeted specifically at girls entering 8th grade.

The AAUW Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch selects seventh grade girls who attend the three public intermediate schools – Orinda Intermediate School in Orinda, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School in Moraga, and Stanley Middle School in Lafayette.  Girls who are invited to apply for the scholarships must be nominated by their teachers.  Parents or girls may not nominate themselves or pay for the camp.

Each teacher is asked to nominate two or three girls from their math, science, electronics, robotics or computer classes, based on the following nomination criteria:

Interest in Math and Science

  • Be passionate about math or science and be motivated to learn
  • Have active listening skills
  • Should have at least a B grade, but does not need to be the top student
  • Be likely to benefit from this experience
  • May have limited access to programs such as these

Academic Habits

  • Show an interest in learning new things
  • Follow directions
  • Participate in class discussions and is eager to learn
  • Work well in group situations
  • Show patience and persistence in task completion

Character

  • Show respect for, and cooperate with, teachers and other students
  • Exhibit self-control with exemplary behavior
  • Demonstrate responsibility and honesty
  • Have confidence and willingness to try a challenging task

Girls who are nominated by their teachers are invited to submit an application and written essay for consideration by a team of AAUW-OML Branch members who conduct personal interviews with all applicants.  All nominated girls who apply are eligible regardless of their disability, ethnicity, gender identity, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

Words of Praise from Our Tech Trekkers:

“This has been one of my favorite experiences.  The labs, classes, dorm group, the lectures and the people have taught me so much.  I have never learned so much in one week.  I was so inspired by all the amazing women.  Tech Trek has opened my eyes and sparked so many interests.  Thank you for giving me this wonderful, once in a lifetime opportunity.”

“My core class has been AMAZING.  I didn’t know how much I would enjoy forensics but the teacher is great, the group is great and the murder mystery has been a blast…All in all, Tech Trek has been amazing and I am very grateful for all the money that you raised that allowed everyone to participate in Tech Trek.”

“I want to thank you for allowing me to have the wonderful experience of being in Tech Trek.  I have learned a lot about many different interesting topics and have many interesting people who are amazed about all this as I am.” 

“I had an outstanding time over this week.  My favorite workshop we did was flashlights.  In this class we got to solder wires to make a small flashlight!  One other class I really enjoyed was robotics.  During the school year I chose coding and robotics as my elective but this robotics class was SO much better!!!  We got to explore a lot more, and we got challenged much more.  I hope this camp will keep giving girls like me an amazing experience!” 

“The biggest thing I will take away is how it has changed my viewpoint.  I used to think “I can learn to do that later.”  to how “I can learn to do that now.”  I have done and worked on things that before Tech Trek I wouldn’t have thought I could do.  So thank you not only having an action-packed week, not only learn and expand my knowledge, but also change my viewpoint.”

“Thank you for choosing and sponsoring me to go to this STEM camp!  It’s really fun and I’ve made new friends in my dorm group!  Tech Trek isn’t like any other STEM camp that I’ve been in, which gives me a chance to step out of my comfort zone (and away from my electronics).  I’ve had many opportunities to learn new things, all of which I’ve taken advantage of. “

“I had such an awesome week because of you.  My two favorite parts were the field trip and meeting so many new friends.  On our field trip we visited Alviso county park and the Valley Water Purification Center.  I learned so much about the water purification process and the wildlife in marshes and wetlands.  I had an amazing experience at Tech Trek and I can’t thank you enough for enabling me to experience it.”

Looking for STEM activities, information about women in STEM and places to visit virtually?  Here are some great resources on engineering, biology, math, space, computer science, and more for you to explore. We do not endorse any of these programs, but are providing the list as a resource for all out Tech Trek candidates, past and present. 

STEM RESOURCES

Go to THIS WEBSITE for more information:

The Tech Trek Mission

Studies have shown that 68% of both boys and girls in fourth grade are naturally interested in science. But by eighth grade, this interest has dropped dramatically, especially for the girls.

That is why we feel it is important to support girls interested in science during the middle school years and to expose them to the careers available to women in science today. Many former Tech Trekkers, now in college or working, have told us that Tech Trek was one of the most influential personal or academic experiences of their middle school years. AAUW-CA research has shown that many Tech Trekkers have continued their studies in science and medicine in college, and the early campers are now pursuing their career goals in the STEM fields.

Please Donate to Support Scholarships to Tech Trek Camp

You can donate by:

  • Sending a check with your donation to the Branch treasurer.  Donations should be made out to the AAUW OML Community Outreach Fund. Please write “Tech Trek” on the memo line of the check.    Send your check to:  Marielle Boortz, AAUW OML Treasurer, PO Box 6705 Moraga CA 94556
  • Making your donation on-line with your credit card using the  DONATE link at top right of this page. (Enter TECH TREK on memo line)

Donations made to Tech Trek as part of the AAUW OML Community Outreach Fund are tax-deductible.  The Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, EIN 38-3837745.

Thank you for supporting these outstanding young women and fostering their knowledge and confidence to pursue their interest in STEM!

Tax Information for Donations

Questions?