Palm Coast, FL – American Association of University Women (AAUW) Flagler announces this year’s recipients for its Tech Trek Scholarship. Two students from Indian Trails Middle School (ITMS): Lillian Ames and Jasmine Vitkauskas, along with five Buddy Taylor Middle School students: Mallory Blackburn, Lorelei Rose Killmer, Ava Jean Muldoon, Megan Rhee, and Arianna Slaughter will attend Tech Trek 2021 Camp.
Typically, Tech Trek, a STEM model camp designed to introduce middle school-aged girls to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, is an exciting week-long residential summer camp for girls between their seventh and eighth grade year and who focus on STEM. This year’s recipients will be among the first in Florida to experience Tech Trek virtually. In a year without COVID-19, middle-school girls from around the state would have traveled to two Florida university campuses to build model bridges, robotic vehicles, develop computer applications, and interact with women in STEM role models. Last year, Tech Trek had to be cancelled; this year, it is fitting science and technology provide the path forward for a virtual event designed to parallel in-person camps.
According to AAUW Florida Tech Trek Director, Sue Slone, five core courses, along with workshops and the Professional Women’s Panel Discussions will be open to all attendees, including Tech Trek winners from last year. Two of four Flagler recipients from 2020, Jasper Joy Donoso (Imagine School) and Lily Mota (ITMS), will be in attendance. Core courses will include “Wearable tech” sponsored by Qualcomm while computer skills, hurricane analysis, space, exercise, organizational skills, chemistry, DNA, and the brain will be explored during workshops.
Sue Slone states Tech Trek 2021 “has been an interesting adventure”. Combining virtual with hands-on experiences is a challenge which requires a skilled logistics strategy so that materials and supplies are delivered to each girl before camp begins. AAUW Flagler Tech Trek Committee Chair, Susan Baird, echoes the challenges of this year’s selection process, and notes in-person interviews with each girl were missed.
Tech Trek 2021, sponsored by American Association of University Women (AAUW), at the national and Florida state levels, will be held from July 19-23. This year, AAUW Florida Tech Trek identified 104 girls for this year’s virtual camp. Of those, 44 are from the Tech Trek Class of 2020 and 60 represent Tech Trek 2021. The nomination and award are a testament to the hard work and interest in STEM exhibited by these young women. Since 2013, thirty-nine Flagler middle school girls have attended AAUW Florida Tech Trek.
With the exception of a $25 registration fee, all costs are fully funded by AAUW Florida Supporting Foundation, Inc. Donations for Tech Trek are appreciated and can be mailed to AAUW Flagler at P O Box 354873, Palm Coast, Florida 32135-4873. Please make checks payable to AAUW Flagler and note “Tech Trek” in the memo section. You may also donate through our secure, online payment portal through our website: https://flaglercounty-fl.aauw.net/
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The mission of American Association of University Women (AAUW) Flagler strives to advance the education of women and girls in Flagler County and elsewhere.
Martha Butler and Patti Paukovich, Co-Presidents
