Thanks
to all the AAUW NJ members
who've volunteered to interview girls nominated for Tech Trek camp.
T
hanks to you, this year's camp invited nominations from all 21 counties, since at least two volunteers were found to interview candidates in each county!
A special thanks
to the AAUW members who volunteered to drive to neighboring counties,
to ensure this opportunity was provided to those girls.
Teachers were allowed to nominate
one
prospective camper per school.
Now that the "Student Selection Committee Volunteers" are deep into the process of selecting campers from a branch near you,
we need your support.
Y
ou can help young women in our state continue to narrow the wage gap by pursuing STEM fields.
Background about the camp:
New Jersey is the
only
state in the northeast to offer an AAUW Summer STEM Tech Trek program! Now entering its third year, the camp expanded from its original Atlantic and Cape May counties in 2015 to include girls from 11 counties in 2016 and invited all 21 counties this year.
Tech Trek camp immerses 60 7
th
grade girls in a week-long, residential, hands-on series of classes and workshops in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields, led by women and college students who are currently working and studying in these fields.
Volunteers from branches around the state will serve as day counselors and overnight dorm "moms" July 16-22 at Stockton University.
On Thursday, July 20 from 6-9:30pm, many members and friends with careers in STEM fields will enjoy dinner and "speed networking" with the girls. Visit
http://techtrek-nj.aauw.net/
to learn more about camp.
AAUW grants $5000 towards the approximate $100,000 total cost of camp. Campers pay just $50 each (those in need may ask to waive that fee, too) and AAUW has secured some STEM industry grants from Symantec and Lockheed Martin that also help fund supplies, teacher stipends, camper and volunteer meals.
How You Can Help -
T
here are so many ways to help!
All of the remaining financial support comes from branches
who designate their annual AAUW gift to Tech Trek NJ,
in
dividual donors,
and from our camp's host location, Stockton University.
Select: Tech Trek New Jersey - Galloway (Stockton University)
Download a
brochure
and pass it along to a friend, colleague, employer, or local business.
If you work for or know anyone else at a corporation that gives grants, please send that contact to
AAUWSTEMCAMP@stockton.edu
and camp organizers will write a grant or schedule a visit with that prospective donor.
Request your own branch kit of printed brochures and fundraising letters, complete with self-addressed, postage-paid reply envelopes, via email to
AAUWSTEMCAMP@stockton.edu. (Specify how many you would like.)
All gifts received in the envelopes will be acknowledged and processed by AAUW as tax deductible contributions.
Branches have also held fundraisers
specifically dedicated to supporting Tech Trek, including a quilt raffle, a wine and cheese tasting, a branch dinner, and a branch meeting brunch that both featured a camper and her parents, and a joint Commission on Women - AAUW branch breakfast featuring a panel of STEM women sharing their stories.
Select: Tech Trek New Jersey - Galloway (Stockton University)
Finally, as we select girls from all counties who applied,
we will also be seeking in-kind donations of individually-wrapped snacks, juice boxes, and any other materials you would like to send for 60 campers. Email
AAUWSTEMCAMP@stockton.edu
to request a solicitation letter with a tax-exempt letter packet that you can take along to local stores. Special thanks go to Marion Ingram, AAUW NJ Southern District Coordinator, who will be coordinating all in-kind snack donations with our sister branches throughout the state.
Ann Marchesani
Director, Tech Trek
(609) 280-2987
Claudine Keenan
Dean of Education,
Stockton University
(609) 626-3593
Mariel Kolker
STEM Coordinator, AAUW of New Jersey
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