The future is upon us, and the rhetorical “generations of tomorrow” have become the generations of the present. We are seeing young minds blossom into the likes of innovators, professionals, and advocates who will reshape the world for the better. It is for this reason that empowering youth is so important; not only does this support strengthen and prepare the youth of today, but it forges them into formidable forces of change in the future.

Tech Trek, a unique initiative powered by the California chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), is dedicated to empowering youth through a specialized STEM-oriented summer camp. This one-of-a-kind opportunity is designed specifically for middle-school-aged girls, a group that has historically faced barriers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Once accepted, Tech Trekkers spend a week living on the University of California: Santa Cruz (UCSC) campus, gaining a taste of the college experience and participating in university-level labs and classes that foster their interest in a diverse range of STEM careers.

Breaking Down Barriers

Research conducted by the AAUW reveals an unsettling gender gap within STEM, one that paints a picture of inaccessibility and exclusion for young girls potentially interested in the field. According to these statistics, women comprise only 34% of the STEM workforce, and their average annual salaries amount to $15,000 less than their male counterparts. This finding is further divided along racial lines, with Latina and Black women earning $33,000 less.

Unlike boys, girls are often not encouraged to pursue a career in STEM, a trend that can be attributed to the prevalence of gender stereotypes in Eurocentric K-12 pedagogy and a significant confidence gap between women and men. While research shows no biological differences in cognitive ability between males and females, girls are more likely to lose confidence in STEM subjects by the time they reach middle school. This is precisely why Tech Trek targets this age group: to challenge gender stereotypes and provide girls with an equal opportunity to explore and excel in STEM fields.

Tech Trekkers in Santa Cruz County

Thanks to AAUW Santa Cruz County’s Tech Trek Scholarships, local youth have been granted the opportunity to explore pathways in STEM. The women pictured above hail from familiar places such as Scotts Valley, San Lorenzo Valley, Watsonville, and Aptos, and they have recently attended the Tech Trek program.

“Women are missing out on high-paying, satisfying careers when they don’t consider a STEM profession,” Doreen O’Donovan, president of the Santa Cruz AAUW and camp staff, explained in this article, “We’re not just teaching skills — we’re opening doors, challenging stereotypes, and nurturing the confidence these girls need to pursue STEM careers.”

By offering these opportunities, AAUW Santa Cruz County enriches individual lives and contributes to a future in which gender equity in STEM becomes the norm. We can only secure a promising future if we invest in our youth now, giving them the resources they need to succeed in any path they dream of.