This year, STEM is coming to Buena Vista University. The institution is going to host the Tech Trek camp in Iowa on July 9 to 15. The aim is to get young women to get interested in STEM. Tech Trek boasts of featuring science and technology lectures, trips and talks from inspiring women who are role models of STEM. The American Association of University Women leads the program.
Melinda Coogan, an associate professor of Biology at Buena Vista University, says STEM is underrepresented by women, especially in Iowa, as reported by The Daily Iowegian. Tech Trek aims to encourage the young women and future leaders of America to pursue education and career opportunities in STEM. For senior and younger high school students jumping off to college, this can be a great jump off point.
There is a growing demand for STEM jobs in the market and it is dominantly occupied by males. The country is looking for people to fill these roles. According to AAUW, Tech Trek's activities work. The week-long event has helped boost the national average in math and science courses. It also aligns young women with their passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and exercises their skills in solving problems through real life examples.
With the help of Tech Trek and the American Association of University Women, young women are geared up to enroll in STEM courses and readily enter the work force. The investment lies in STEM education and that includes everything from aerospace engineering to astrophysics. There are also two year community college courses available in the country that also promote STEM.
AAUW members works with local teachers, parents, schools and STEM professionals to personalize the program. As this year's Tech Trek is coming to Iowa, Buena Vista University is taking the lead in getting participants' hands dirty by building rockets or extracting DNA, like in previous years.
Watch the TEDx Talk below where Caroline Cline talks about STEM:
