BVU's Tech Trek Camp Receives Grant from DuPont Pioneer

STORM LAKE, IA (06/20/2018) (readMedia)-- Buena Vista University (BVU) has received a $2,500 grant from DuPont Pioneer to help support the University's upcoming Tech Trek STEM camp. The grant is part of the DuPont Pioneer sponsorship program.

This year, more than 30 seventh grade girls will take part in BVU's Tech Trek program – an engaging one-week summer camp featuring hands-on science and technology classes, fun and educational field trips, opportunities to meet inspiring women role models, and a unique college campus experience at BVU. Tech Trek is a program of the American Association of University Women designed to help encourage girls to investigate careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

"DuPont Pioneer has been a tremendous supporter of BVU and past science initiatives, which makes the reception of the $2,500 from the DuPont Pioneer Giving Program to help fund the 2018 BVU Tech Trek STEM summer program particularly significant," said Dr. Melinda Coogan, who is the camp director and a professor of biology at BVU.

The funds from the grant will be used to help support the camp's activities, which include several classes throughout the week.

"This generous grant will help fund our alternative energy and the DNA extraction workshops," added Coogan. "Both of these activities include invitations of guest presenters from around Iowa who will work directly with the rising eighth graders and guide them through hands-on experiences that expound these incredibly complex topics."

AAUW will hold over 20 Tech Trek camps across the country this year alone. The students, who will be entering eighth grade in the fall, must be nominated by their science or math teachers, and complete an application process.

For more information about the camp, visit www.bvu.edu/techtrek.

About Buena Vista University

Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. With an average scholarship of more than 50 percent off of tuition, BVU is an affordable option for all students. Visit www.bvu.edu.

About DuPont Pioneer

Pioneer makes contributions to community-based organizations on behalf of the business and employees. Consideration for outreach grants is given to communities where Pioneer sales representatives, DuPont Pioneer employees and customers live and work and that support quality-of-life initiatives to create an improved, sustainable lifestyle for people worldwide.

###