Tech Trek
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Tech Trek is a week-long academic residential camp featuring hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for girls entering 8th grade. Instructors include teachers and professional women in STEM related careers. The camps are located on university and college campuses where campers are immersed in the full campus experience. 7th grade girls are nominated by their teachers and then go through a rigorous selections process which includes application essays and finally interviews by our Branch Selection Committee. AAUW Healdsburg Branch is proud to be able to send local girls to this camp.
Due to the pandemic, Tech Trek nationwide was canceled in 2020. However, our AAUW Branch rallied to fill this void. We collaborated with Terrific Science to create and host our own Terrific Science Virtual Camp for the 2020 girls. In 2021, the national Tech Trek program resumed as a virtual camp.
In 2022, 8 girls attended Tech Trek Camp at Sonoma State University. One of the camp requirements is that at the end of the week, the girls write a letter to the Branch that sponsored them. Click HERE to read their enthusiastic responses to having been chosen to attend this amazing STEM experience
For more information about our Tech Trek program, contact Nancy Haiston.
For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact Mary Barsony.
Tech Trek Alumni Group (TTAG)
The Tech Trek Alumni Group, TTAG, a new AAUW Healdsburg program, will focus on encouraging Tech Trek Alumni to stay connected to STEM talented, like-minded girls from middle school thru high school. TTAG will build upon the excellent work that GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math and Science) had accomplished over the years as one of our core STEM programs. AAUW mentors will guide and set up TTAG participants for success by helping them plan and host their own fun programs and community events related to STEM.
Past GEMS activities have included Professional Women’s Career Panels focused on careers in STEM, and field trips to Keysight Technologies, Medtronic, Canine Companions, Pixar, Bodega Marine Laboratory, and local hospitals.
For more information about TTAG opportunities, contact Karla Rosen, TTAG Chair.
Expanding Your Horizons
A national organization, EYH has just recently merged with TechBridge Girls. For the past three decades the EYH chapter in Sonoma County hosts an annual event: a one-day, hands-on workshop conference exposing 7thth and 8thh grade girls to careers requiring a math and science background. Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Healdsburg AAUW all support the conference with donations and volunteers.
For more information about EYH opportunities, contact Nancy Haiston, EYH Chair.