Stellar STEM students

For girls who love science, technology, engineering and math, Tech Trek is a valuable experience to encourage and celebrate that STEM love.

Four local young ladies were thrilled when they learned earlier this year that they had been selected to participate in the American Association of University Women's one-week Tech Trek summer camp at Eastern Washington University.

“At first I was really shocked, like, 'Is this actually real?'" Lakes Middle School eighth-grader Megan Daggett said. "Then I was like, 'Oh my gosh this is actually real! I made it in!'"

Megan and three other then-seventh-graders at Lakes were selected by their teachers to participate in Tech Trek, which provides hands-on problem solving and encounters with women in the STEM fields to help campers envision what their own futures could hold.

"I just feel that it's a great opportunity," Tech Trek camper and Coeur d'Alene eSchool student Hallett Wilde said. "I was really surprised when I got in. You have to write a paper, so it’s this big thing. It's a huge opportunity and I was really surprised when I got it."

The campers are nominated by teachers who see them as motivated learners who interact well with peers, adapt to new situations, follow directions well and take responsibility for their actions. The nominations go to the Tech Trek selection committee, which sends applications to candidates, sets up interviews with students and selects the winners.

"Every year I am asked to nominate amazing seventh grade girls who will be empowered by Tech Trek to see their possible futures in STEM," Lakes life science teacher Annette Brennan said. "I feel honored to have the opportunity to nominate these inquisitive and hardworking young ladies. They will no doubt find ways to improve the world around us in fields generally dominated by men. Tech Trek is the perfect stepping stone to help them see the limitless career possibilities in the STEM field."

Because of the pandemic and school closures, the 2020 campers will be attending next summer.

Hallett said she's looking forward to learning new things, meeting new people and exploring science activities.

"I really like math and science, but I want to become a surgeon when I grow up, so biology is kind of my favorite thing,” she said.

Mattea Branscome, who has since moved to Clarkston, plans to participate next summer.

"I love lots of science," she said. "I am most interested in medical science and stuff like that, I think it's really interesting. I’m hoping to become a nurse."

Madison Fraser said she's looking forward to it because she's always had fun with science and math.

"I hope to be a veterinarian some day, so I can combine my passion for science with my love for animals," she said. "I'm thankful for being selected and I'm looking forward to meeting other girls who hare my interest in STEM."

The Coeur d'Alene Chapter of AAUW has sponsored girls at Tech Trek for four years. To date, 12 local girls have been selected to participate. Each sponsorship is $950; the local and state AAUW cover the majority of the fees so campers are only responsible for paying $50.

"Tech Trek is designed to reach girls at the optimum age to start considering options in science and math fields," said Betsy McTear, an AAUW member who serves on the selections committee. "It's also the age when many girls are struggling with determining who they are and framing goals."

The Tech Trek selection committee will be sending out nomination information to area middle schools in November/December.

Info: www.aauw.org/resources/programs/tech-trek