Tech Like a Girl Immerses Girls in STEM Subjects - April 5, 2017
Stuart, Florida (April 5, 2017) - Stuart AAUW’s (American Association of University Women) first local STEM project, Tech Like a Girl was made possible by a collaboration with LASER-TEC, a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Center headquartered at Indian River State College.
First, thanks to Natalia Chekhovskaya, program manager of LASER-TEC, for finding us and presenting the program concept to us. The LASER-TEC outreach program introduces young people, particularly girls, to the fields of robotics and photonics. Dr. Chrys Panayiotou, director of LASER-TEC and department chair of the IRSC Electronics Engineering Technology program, developed the curriculum which was to have the girls build a model security system based on the museum model installed to secure very valuable treasures. We also thank Lauren Hays, center coordinator, for her invaluable help.
The Stuart AAUW located the participants from various educational programs and organizations throughout Martin County and as far north as Vero Beach. The participants were all middle school girls. AAUW provided transportation for the Stuart girls from the Chastain Campus to the Ft. Pierce campus where the labs are located, functioning as chaperones and facilitators. The program extended over four Saturdays beginning in late January and concluding in March.
We extend special thanks to our corporate donors Florida Power and Light and Publix Supermarkets Charities for believing in this project. And many, many thanks to our members for their generous support. Team members from Stuart AAUW who deserve kudos are Dianne Pierce, Connie Davis, Cathy McCartney, Kathy Falconer and Sheila Leach.
To see the girls in action, visit AAUW Stuart Florida Branch on Facebook. To learn more about AAUW, visit http://stuart-fl.aauw.net/. To learn more about LASER-TEC, visit their website http://www.laser-tec.org/
First, thanks to Natalia Chekhovskaya, program manager of LASER-TEC, for finding us and presenting the program concept to us. The LASER-TEC outreach program introduces young people, particularly girls, to the fields of robotics and photonics. Dr. Chrys Panayiotou, director of LASER-TEC and department chair of the IRSC Electronics Engineering Technology program, developed the curriculum which was to have the girls build a model security system based on the museum model installed to secure very valuable treasures. We also thank Lauren Hays, center coordinator, for her invaluable help.
The Stuart AAUW located the participants from various educational programs and organizations throughout Martin County and as far north as Vero Beach. The participants were all middle school girls. AAUW provided transportation for the Stuart girls from the Chastain Campus to the Ft. Pierce campus where the labs are located, functioning as chaperones and facilitators. The program extended over four Saturdays beginning in late January and concluding in March.
We extend special thanks to our corporate donors Florida Power and Light and Publix Supermarkets Charities for believing in this project. And many, many thanks to our members for their generous support. Team members from Stuart AAUW who deserve kudos are Dianne Pierce, Connie Davis, Cathy McCartney, Kathy Falconer and Sheila Leach.
To see the girls in action, visit AAUW Stuart Florida Branch on Facebook. To learn more about AAUW, visit http://stuart-fl.aauw.net/. To learn more about LASER-TEC, visit their website http://www.laser-tec.org/
