Celebrating a Decade of Empowering Girls: Stockton and AAUW’s Inspiring Journey

Galloway, N.J. – Qori Ramos has a unique birthday memory this year. Instead of cake and candles, she spent it in a university lab learning about circuit boards.

Ramos is part of a special group of over 40 girls from across New Jersey attending Tech Trek at Stockton University. This program, in partnership with the American Association of University Women, aims to inspire girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

During the camp, they explored the basics of circuitry and soldering. Professor Joseph Trout led these workshops, impressing students like Ramos. “I’ve always loved robotics and engineering. Here, I’m using real equipment and learning from top professors,” she shared.

This year’s itinerary was packed. Girls learned about quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. They also toured the beautiful campus, visited Sustainability Farm, and participated in leadership workshops.

Mithra Ramji, from Edison, found the STEM Lingo platform particularly exciting. “I love working with it. It really helped me understand how to code and work with wires.”

When not in labs, the girls engaged in fun activities, like crafting vision boards and networking with professionals. For Liezelle Aldoz, the highlight was a food chemistry workshop where participants tasted different chocolates. “It was inspiring to see so many girls interested in STEM,” she said.

Ramos and Ramji felt a strong sense of community at the camp. “It’s amazing to meet girls with similar dreams and see how everyone supports each other,” Ramos remarked. Ramji echoed these feelings, mentioning the welcoming environment.

Thalia Arce, a junior Environmental Science major, has volunteered at Tech Trek for three years. She recalls her own camp experience, saying it built her confidence in STEM. “It’s rewarding to inspire the next generation of girls,” she stated.

Programs like Tech Trek can shift the narrative for girls in these fields. According to the AAUW, girls often feel isolated in STEM classes. Bringing them together not only builds friendships but also a support system.

This encourages them to pursue STEM careers, challenging the statistics. A 2022 report found that women hold only 28% of jobs in science and engineering fields. Programs like Tech Trek are vital in addressing this gap and nurturing future innovators.

As Ramos said, “We’re all here to help each other grow and learn.”

For more about Tech Trek and its impact, explore AAUW New Jersey and their initiatives.

– Story by Loukaia Taylor
– Photos by Susan Allen

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