RANCHO BERNARDO BRANCH INVOLVEMENT

In 2010 our Rancho Bernardo Branch sponsored six girls - three each from Twin Peaks Middle School and Bernardo Heights Middle School. In 2010 we received gifts of $3800 in memory of Joan Hicks, our first Tech Trek Chair. Over the years our Branch has received very generous financial support from local businesses to provide grants that pay the camp fees. Sony Electronics and Rancho Bernardo Sunrise and Noon Rotary clubs donate annually. In the past Qualcomm, Biosite, Biogen-Idec., and SAIC have supported this project. 

To be considered, a girl must be recommended by her math and/or science teacher. Finalists submit essays telling a bit about themselves and why they would like to attend. They are then interviewed by a group of branch members who makes the final choices. Families of campers are asked to pay a $50 fee.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

This program, unique to California, began in 1998 with initial funding from AAUW's Educational Foundation. That year one camp was held at Stanford University. Tech Trek has now expanded to seven campuses: Stanford, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, Cal State Sonoma, Cal State Fresno, and Whittier College. Our Rancho Bernardo Branch has participated since the beginning, sponsoring girls from Bernardo Heights Middle School as well as Twin Peaks. Tech Trek was set up to encourage young women to pursue their interests in science, math and computer technology - fields in which women have traditionally been underrepresented.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

For more information about the Tech Trek program please contact our Tech Trek Chair . To contribute much-needed funds for the campers' support, click Contributions on the menu bar or contact our Financial Officer. Donations are deductible for federal income tax purposes to the full extent allowed by law.