Save The Date: March 7, 2019 Tech Savvy and Stem Tastic

The 2018 Tech Savvy  and Stem Tastic was held on March 15 on the University of Jamestown Campus

Tech Savvy Engages Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)  using Hands –on Workshops Led by STEM professionals to make learning fun according to Tech Savvy Co-Chair
Joan Enderle.  The AAUW Jamestown (ND) Branch has joined forces with the Jamestown
Public Schools, University of Jamestown, and the ND STEM Network to host Tech Savvy, a local, one-day program at the University of Jamestown that was held on Thursday, March 15, 2018 to help over 220 seventh and eighth-grade girls from Stutsman County explore science, technology, engineering and math. Tech Savvy by AAUW, is a national program designed for girls to experience firsthand how STEM fields can lead to exciting careers. The program furthers AAUW’s commitment to widening the pipeline for women in STEM. The structure and activities of Tech Savvy support and further the goals and best practices described in AAUW’s highly acclaimed and influential research report “Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics” AAUW Research Why so Few
“Tech Savvy is a crucial program to prepare and empower the next generation of girls to enter into these fields and to increase our state’s science and technology talent pool,” said Jamestown
co-chair and long-time AAUW member, Joan Enderle. “Women benefit from highly stable, well-paying jobs, while the STEM industry gains diverse perspectives. It’s win-win for the economy.”
The Jamestown committee created a companion program for middle school boys, STEMtastic. Over 240 seventh and eighth grade boys attended this year’s event held on the campus of the University of Jamestown. This is the fourth year for both Tech Savvy and STEMtastic. Schools participating included: Jamestown, Hillcrest Academy, Medina, Pingree-Buchanan, Gackle-Streeter, and Litchville-Marion.
“The events would not be possible without the tremendous support of local, state and regional
companies sending their STEM professionals to lead hands-on workshops”, according to Co-chair, Ericka Althoff, Engineer with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota. “The students love the hands-on learning”. Each student attends four hands-on workshops during the day.  Local companies/organizations include: Orn Family Dentistry, Medicine Shoppe, UTC Aerospace Systems, Qual Chiropractic, Interstate Engineering, University of Jamestown – Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing Departments, ND State Hospital Pharmacy, and NDSU Extension – Stutsman County. Regional/state companies and organizations include: Microsoft, Doosan-Bobcat, John Deere Manufacturing, Techton Products,
Moore Engineering, KLJ Engineering, National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), US Fish and Wildlife Service, Prairie Waters Education and Research Center, and NASA ND Space Grant Consortium. Colleges and Universities included: Bismarck State College, Concordia College, Lake Region Technical College, NDSU, ND State College of Science, and Valley City State University. A total of 40 STEM professionals led workshops. Funding and in-kind support provided by: AAUW- Jamestown Branch, Jamestown, ND STEM Network, University of Jamestown, and Jamestown Public Schools.