The American Association of University Women (AAUW) runs hands-on science and math camps each summer called Tech Trek with the goal of encouraging, motivating, and inspiring girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Symantec has supported Tech Trek through a grant to develop cyber security curriculum as well as through employee volunteers who review applications and mentor Tech Trekkers. Since its inception in 1998, Tech Trek has been adopted as a national program and over 9,000 girls have attended one of the camps! Last year we featured the story of Gabrielle, a Tech Trekker who attended the Bowling Green summer camp and this year we are featuring Grace, a Tech Trekker who attended at Stanford University.
Tech Trek Campers are exposed to computer science in a myriad of ways, from robotics, cyber security, coding and more!
I think there must be times in everyone’s life when something or someone inspires you, however, it’s not until you look back on it that you realize what a difference it made.
For me, that inspiration was Tech Trek. As a junior high student, I have always been aware of technology and computer science – these days it is almost impossible not to be! I was curious about it, but never envisioned myself as a computer science or technology professional in the future. Why you might ask? While everyone I know is familiar with technology – many have computers at home, mobile phones to keep in touch with family, and sometimes more – we hadn’t talked about it a lot in school. Additionally, there are so many different types of computer science, it always felt pretty overwhelming.
That all began to change one day about a year ago. In my seventh grade science class I was told about a science and math camp for girls. My teacher encouraged us all to look into it. My first thought was “no way!”, but I went home and showed my parents the flyer. They were really excited because they knew I had an interest in this area. (Sometimes I guess parents do know best) The more we talked about it, the cooler it sounded, the more I could envision myself going, and the more excited I became.
Ok, I thought, I’ll just try it out. I thought it would be fun, but to be honest, I was not super invested in the idea. As I went through the application process I became more and more excited. I was called back for interview and then…..then the real letter came saying I had been accepted!
I was happy, nervous, and curious what I’d think of the experience. I spoke with someone from Tech Trek on the phone who helped me sign up for the classes I wanted. What to choose? I didn’t know a lot about coding, however, cyber security sounded really interesting on the phone so I opted for this.
When I found I had gotten into the cyber security class I couldn’t have been happier! The class was great for me – it was interesting and practical. I had gone in without any knowledge of coding and came out with a real understanding of how to code and numerous other technology subjects. We talked about the types of cyber-attacks that happen online, the strategies of cyber criminals, what is possible for them to achieve, and how to recognize a good and bad source. We also learned about computers, old and new, and the basics of binary coding. And my favorite part of the entire class…taking apart a computer to see the actual physical software. I had never done this before and it was pretty amazing to see how it really works!
Lastly, I really found interesting our discussions about the dark web –hard-to-access sites that can be used for illegal activity. Unknown to me (and I bet many of us!), Google is not the entire internet and there are other places scams can originate from. I had never really thought about this before and it really has opened my eyes to how myself, my friends and my family can be much safer online.
Tech Trek definitely gave me a boost of confidence. I came in very unsure of it all – would I enjoy it, would I understand it, would I be able to complete the work?
Honestly, I didn’t think I would do that well, but I picked it up really quickly! Prior to Tech Trek, coding and computer science seemed out of my reach, but now after a week of working in coding, taking apart computers, it now seems a lot more do able. Additionally, the experience has opened my eyes and interest to many areas of technology. I now want to research different areas and learn more about different jobs in tech.
For any girl interested in science, technology or math, I would say don’t let misconceptions of what you can or can’t do get in the way. Computer science and technology is everyone’s future. It applies to us all and it’s important in all of our lives. If you are interested in STEM, then nothing is stopping you! Just start to learn a little bit, and I bet you’ll want to learn more.
Tech Trek was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it has opened up my eyes to a whole new idea of what my future career can be. It’s also given me broader confidence and taught me that as long as you make yourself familiar with something, learn more about it, anything is possible.
I will always remember my Tech Trek experience and it really has – and will continue to - impact my life. I am so thankful to everyone who made this happen and feel so much excitement for other girls who have the chance to participate!
As Rosie the Revere said, “Life might have its failures, but this was not it. The only true failure can come if you quit.”
