This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Girls Trek Toward Careers in Science

Tech Trek helps girls realize their potential for scientific careers.

According to a National Science Foundation statistic, more women than men graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. But, despite a gradual increase in the number of degrees awarded to women in mathematics, science and engineering, men still greatly outnumber them in these fields.

That statistic is what Tech Trek, a science and math camp for girls, seeks to address.  The camp, a project of the American Association of University Women in California began in 1998 and serves girls all over the state, including Benicia. 

“It started with a woman named Marie Wolbach who read a survey that suggested girls in the seventh grade stopped doing as well in science as boys in the seventh grade,” said Joan Eignor of the Benicia-Vallejo AAUW. “(Wolbach) created this idea of a residential one-week science and math program on a college campus to introduce girls, in an all-girl environment, to math and science…there are now seven campuses that the program is held at throughout the state," Eignor said.

Maddy Williams was selected to attend the camp in 2008, the program's 10th year.  “I thought it was great!  I learned so much,” said Maddy, now a sophomore at .  Not an archetypal geek, she has been a cheerleader since ninth grade and admits that “it's hard to be cool and smart at the same time.”  But she seems to have struck a balance.  Maddy plans to continue cheering in high school and possibly even into college. She also plans to take two science classes in her junior year and is considering a career in nursing or criminology.

Anna Valdez is another Tech Trekker from Benicia. She didn’t think of herself as the kind of student who was into science before she attended the program.

  “I thought science was kind of weird and nerdy and that’s what nerds did,” the BHS sophomore said. “But after I went, I felt that it was actually kind of fun and that there were a lot of girls my age that liked it too.”  Anna said the camp changed her perspective. “Now I really like science,” she said.  “I’m trying to take more classes in science because I think it will really help me.”

The selection process for the camp starts with middle-school math and science teachers who identify candidates. The girls complete an application, an essay and a face to face interview. Campers are selected based on merit and who will benefit most from the experience. Nineteen Benicia girls have attended the camp since 1998. Those attending this year’s camp will attend at Sonoma State University.

All girls who attend Tech Trek have a full scholarship through funds raised regionally. This year, the Benicia-Vallejo AAUW will hold a concert to raise funds.  , a Motown tribute band, will perform Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo.  Tickets are available at for $25.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Benicia