Call for nominations for UAH’s 2016 Tech Trek

With Tech Trek returning to the campus of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) this summer, middle school teachers from across the state of Alabama are encouraged to submit their nomination for campers by Feb. 8, 2016.

First launched in 1998 at Stanford University, Tech Trek is a weeklong residential science and math summer camp for rising eighth grade girls designed to develop interest, excitement, and self-confidence through hands-on activities that explore the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

UAH's Tech Trek is hosted in partnership with the Huntsville branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Through the camp, girls are immersed in a world that empowers and encourages them to think about themselves as future scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer specialists.

"In our first year of Tech Trek, we served 48 girls from 20 schools in 6 counties. In the second year, we served 64 girls from 41 schools and 14 counties," says Dr. Rhonda Gaede, camp director and associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at UAH. "In this third year, we hope to continue to grow statewide participation in the program, and we are looking to teachers across Alabama to help us reach those girls who would benefit most from such a profound and immersive STEM experience."

She adds that several changes will also be made to enhance this year's camp based on feedback from previous years. "In the past we have included mentoring from practitioners at professional women's night and from college students serving as counselors, but this year we're planning to include mentoring from former campers in the form of a workshop," she says. "We're also excited that several of our veteran counselors are moving into planning committee roles this year, as their boots-on-the-ground input will allow us to continue to improve our camp."

Nomination forms and selection criteria are available online, and should be submitted no later than Feb. 8 to Dr. Laurie Joiner, Student and Families Coordinator, at techtrekfamilies@uah.edu.

Once nominated, candidates will be required to complete an application, an essay, and a personal interview. A total of 64 girls will then be chosen from those nominated to attend the residential camp (at a total cost of $50) from June 12-18 on the UAH campus.