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All Girls Tech Camp Opens Young Minds
to Possibilities
Video by Kay Heller and Gary Olsen January
2003
 omen
seeking careers in engineering has become a passionate pursuit
these days, especially since educators have heeded the call
that young women, particularly in junior high school, need
encouragement. Programs like this All Girls Tech Camp, held
recently at Hempstead High School, is helping open the eyes
of young women to all kinds of possibilities. But it takes
nurturing, interesting and compelling curriculum, available
technology, role models, mentoring, and lots of teacher face
time to make such programs successful.
 Oh,
and did we mention money? District Vocational Curriculum Director,
Denzil Barnhill, conceived of the camp and applied
for a grant to fund it. The camp is supported by the American
Association of University Women but also with Carl
Perkins Vocational Funds, a grant with a similar goal. This
program is one of only five grants funded by the AAUW nationwide.
Additionally,
Karen Blocklinger (Senior High) is the
Project Career Launch Director, and Denzil is assisting her
in putting together the numerous activities of which the Tech
Camp is one. The camp's purpose is to introduce girls to a
large number of high tech and subsequently higher paying careers
and to foster interest in pursuing high school coursework
that will prepare them for these careers or appropriate college
coursework.
According
to Industrial Tech teacher, Boyd
Card, who is running the camp at Hempstead, "We
invite junior high school age girls from throughout the district,
and this event is all about them. We provide lab time and
interesting projects that the girls can engage in... make
something... experiment. They're having a lot of fun."
Of course
it's more than just a lab full of technology toys. This is
professional equipment in every sense of the word. The latest
software, CNC machines, robotics, simulators, and manufacturing
equipment. When asked several of these girls who attended
the camp if they are considering technology oriented careers.
Then again, what careers these days are not technology oriented
in some aspects? It seems there isn't a job in the country
these days that doesn't involve a computer at some level.
Enjoy
this video clip (about 10 minutes) that best captures the
spirit and enthusiasm of the participants. Instructions on
how to make your web browser multimedia capable is below.
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