Tech Trek campers announced

The mission of American Association of University Women (AAUW) is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy.

One of the ways in which the Tehachapi Mountain Branch does this is by sponsoring local girls to attend "Tech Trek," a residential science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) camp. The camps are designed to develop interest, excitement and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. They are run entirely by AAUW members, and feature hands-on activities in math, science and related fields. All sleeping, eating, instructional and recreational facilities are located on a university campus where camps are held.

Our selection process begins in the spring, with Jacobsen Middle School teachers nominating several outstanding seventh grade girls for consideration. The girls are then required to submit an application, as well as an essay on a designated subject. This year's topic involved how the girls would use math and/or science to make the world a better place. A face-to-face interview with an AAUW committee was also conducted, and the campers were then selected based on the above criteria. The two girls chosen by Tehachapi Mountain Branch to attend Tech Trek this summer at UC Santa Barbara are Adi Sanchez-Welker and Quinn Scott.

Adi excels in science and math classes at JMS, and is interested in learning more about STEM opportunities and her future. Outside school, she participates in gymnastics. Adi loves animals and has a current career aspiration of becoming a veterinarian, although she's open to other possibilities. Tech Trek should be an enlightening and enjoyable experience for this outgoing young woman.

Quinn welcomes the opportunity Tech Trek offers to experience college dorm life, make new friends, and possibly learn to code her own app. English, art, math and science are her favorite school subjects, but she is especially interested in the life sciences and psychology. In her free time, she enjoys activities like sports and riding her bike, along with playing online games. Quinn is a creative and deep thinker. Tech Trek camp will expose her to the exciting possibilities of the STEM world.

The girls were introduced at the AAUW scholarship banquet, along with their families and guests. They were presented with certificates and shower caddies which contained goodies for camp, as well as personal notes of encouragement from branch members. The Tech Trek team would like to thank our corporate sponsor, BHE Renewables, as well as local AAUW members who made the camperships possible. We would also like to thank Darcy Hubbard and the other JMS science teachers for their continuing efforts in nominating worthy candidates.

Membership in AAUW is open to both men and women, with a two-year or higher college degree. For more information, please contact Joanne Beckett at (661) 972-6508.