Tech Trek to be Held at Buena Vista University

Related Media

Participants at the 2016 Tech Trek camp.

STORM LAKE, IA (02/10/2017) (readMedia)-- Buena Vista University (BVU) has been selected to host the only Tech Trek camp in Iowa this summer on July 9-15. Tech Trek is an engaging one-week summer camp for seventh grade girls featuring hands-on science and technology classes, a fun and educational field trip, opportunities to meet inspiring women role models, and a unique college campus experience. It is a program of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to help encourage girls to pursue careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

"Hosting AAUW's Tech Trek camp is an amazing opportunity, not only to welcome young girls in Iowa to our beautiful campus, but to encourage their pursuit of education and career opportunities in areas that have been traditionally underrepresented by women," said Dr. Melinda Coogan, associate professor of biology at BVU and camp director for the Storm Lake Tech Trek.

Studies have shown that girls initially interested in STEM fields tend not to pursue them after early adolescence. Yet there is a growing demand for jobs in those male-dominated fields, and the United States has a shortfall of qualified graduates to fill them.

This year, AAUW will hold over 20 Tech Trek camps across the country. Attendees pay only a minimal fee, with other costs covered by donations from AAUW's supporters and the community, as well as sponsorships from corporations and industry stakeholders.

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, contact Camp Director Melinda Coogan at 712-749-2293 or e-mail: coogan@bvu.edu.

About Buena Vista University

Celebrating 125 years of service.

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. BVU is an affordable option for all students and, combined with its academic programs, has led U.S. News & World Report to rank BVU as the third best value school among Midwest Regional Colleges. Visit www.bvu.edu.

###