Tech Trek 2026

Tomorrow’s STEM leaders enjoying Tech Trek today

Excitement was building as Tech Trek campers arrived for check-in at Camp Carson at UC Santa Cruz last month. Ninety eighth-grade girls from Northern California (including 10 sponsored by AAUW-Morgan Hill) were attending the week-long camp designed to help them explore STEM career options. The campers were nominated by a teacher, submitted essays on what their goals are, and explained why they wanted to go to Tech Trek. Additionally, they were interviewed, along with their parents, by AAUW members before they were selected for Tech Trek camper scholarships.

Morgan Hill Campers with Krisse Boursier

These scholarships enabled girls, who might not otherwise have the opportunity, to spend a week on a college campus while immersed in STEM career exploration. Under supervision by dorm monitors, peer counselors and volunteers, campers attended hands-on workshops led by STEM professionals. and attended daily Core classes focused on areas like engineering and math. Workshops covered a variety of team-driven scientific exploration, whether it was building a bridge with Popsicle sticks that had to withstand 25-plus pounds of weight, or measuring Vitamin C content in popular drinks. In one class led by IBM engineers, campers designed AI-based educational games and demonstrated their projects to their peers.

Campers also spent a day with docents at nearby Natural Bridges State Beach where they observed nature, journaled, and identified ways to learn even more about what they saw.

After a full day of studies and workshops, and dinner in the Dining Commons, campers enjoyed structured evening activities before heading off to bed.

Tech Trek at Camp Carson was sponsored by AAUW branches in the following communities: Alameda, Auburn, Berkeley, Chico, Citrus Heights-American River, Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek, Fremont, Gilroy, Healdsburg, Monterey Peninsula, Morgan Hill, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz County.

Some of the Tech Trek staff

Tech Trek is made possible thanks to our chapter volunteers, proceeds from our annual Wildflower Run, and members’ individual donations. Today’s Tech Trek campers could easily be our STEM leaders of tomorrow.