Issaquah (WA) Branch

Tech Trek is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) camp designed to develop interest, excitement, and self-confidence in young women who will enter the eighth grade in the fall. It features hands-on activities in STEM related fields. All sleeping, eating, instructional and recreational facilities are located on a university campus where the summer camps are held. AAUW-WA sponsors two camps in Washington. Currently, these camps are held at Pacific Lutheran University.

All girls attend Tech Trek camps on sponsorships provided by AAUW state and local branches. Seventh grade science and math teachers at selected public schools recommend camper candidates who pass through a qualification process that includes an application, an essay and a personal interview.

The camps are designed to provide campers with the university campus experience under careful supervision enjoying core classes, rotating labs, and field trips led by women who model a high degree of STEM expertise as part of their daily lives. The instructional staff is composed of credentialed middle school teachers and women currently engaged professionally in STEM fields. AAUW member volunteers serve as counselors, nurses, classroom aides, and fill in as needed.

For more information on the Washington state Tech Trek program, go to http://techtrek-wa.aauw.net.

Fund Raising

The Issaquah Branch members support Tech Trek in Washington by organizing a luncheon with a fashion show and an auction. The 2019 event was held at Timber Ridge at Talus which also catered the lunch. Fashions were provided by Chico's of Issaquah. All of our models are members of the branch. Local businesses and AAUW members provided the auction prizes.

As a result of the fund raising efforts, donations made by members and money from corporate sponsors, we were able to send fifty two girls from the Issaquah School District to camp over the past seven years.

Pictured below are our models in 2019.