About
Tech Trek includes hands-on activities in STEM-related fields, interactive workshops, and field trips. The program also offers STEM-related facility tours, panels, and social events, along with hands-on STEM activities that can be done using materials from a camp kit at home.
• Ages: 12–13 years old
• Price: A donor paid the $500 for the Tech Trek at Stanford
Tech Trek is a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) camp designed to develop interest, excitement, and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. The program includes a virtual camp where campers Zoom in each day from home and use materials in a big camp kit for hands-on STEM activities.
Trained instructors and coaching staff, including near-peer Tech Trek alumnae, work alongside credentialed teachers and women in STEM-related careers. Committee members interface with middle school science and math teachers, read essays, participate in interviews, assist campers with forms, and visit camp on a designated visitor day. Tech Trek also has a Tech Trek Alumnae Group (TTAG) led by former campers who plan and manage meetings, organize STEM-related facility tours, panels, and social events, with the goal of providing support for campers after camp and creating a network for their future.
AAUW’s mission is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. Tech Trek was conceived by AAUW California Program Director Marie Wolbach and encouraged by State President Karen Manelis, who, along with Fay Weber, wrote the application for and received a $5,000 grant after the state board voted in 1996 to apply for funding to establish the camp. The first camp was held in 1998 at Stanford University, and Tech Trek started on the UCSD campus in 1999. Dr. Mary “Mimi” Isaac, a La Mesa-El Cajon Branch member, served as camp coordinator and offered a virtual pilot of the robotics program. During 1998, Vicki Spilkin was president of the branch, and Ann McDonald was Education Community Chair, and Marileen Meamari and Malia Lebhar are listed at the end of the Tech Trek page.
AAUW La Mesa-El Cajon Branch is affiliated with AAUW California and AAUW National and is part of a nationwide network of AAUW, which has more than 170,000 members and supporters, 1,000 branches, and 800 college and university institution partners. Middle school science and math teachers nominate students to go to Tech Trek camp. The virtual robotics core program was expanded statewide and delivered to all California branches and their selected campers, and three one-week virtual camps served 640 students from 77 participating branches. The La Mesa-El Cajon Branch sent 10 campers to the virtual Tech Trek. The La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of AAUW has been recognized as a Five Star Program Branch for FY25, marking its fourth consecutive year of achievement, reflecting alignment with the AAUW National Strategic Plan and community-focused programming and advocacy.
Last updated March 24, 2026.
• Ages: 12–13 years old
• Price: A donor paid the $500 for the Tech Trek at Stanford
Tech Trek is a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) camp designed to develop interest, excitement, and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. The program includes a virtual camp where campers Zoom in each day from home and use materials in a big camp kit for hands-on STEM activities.
Trained instructors and coaching staff, including near-peer Tech Trek alumnae, work alongside credentialed teachers and women in STEM-related careers. Committee members interface with middle school science and math teachers, read essays, participate in interviews, assist campers with forms, and visit camp on a designated visitor day. Tech Trek also has a Tech Trek Alumnae Group (TTAG) led by former campers who plan and manage meetings, organize STEM-related facility tours, panels, and social events, with the goal of providing support for campers after camp and creating a network for their future.
AAUW’s mission is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. Tech Trek was conceived by AAUW California Program Director Marie Wolbach and encouraged by State President Karen Manelis, who, along with Fay Weber, wrote the application for and received a $5,000 grant after the state board voted in 1996 to apply for funding to establish the camp. The first camp was held in 1998 at Stanford University, and Tech Trek started on the UCSD campus in 1999. Dr. Mary “Mimi” Isaac, a La Mesa-El Cajon Branch member, served as camp coordinator and offered a virtual pilot of the robotics program. During 1998, Vicki Spilkin was president of the branch, and Ann McDonald was Education Community Chair, and Marileen Meamari and Malia Lebhar are listed at the end of the Tech Trek page.
AAUW La Mesa-El Cajon Branch is affiliated with AAUW California and AAUW National and is part of a nationwide network of AAUW, which has more than 170,000 members and supporters, 1,000 branches, and 800 college and university institution partners. Middle school science and math teachers nominate students to go to Tech Trek camp. The virtual robotics core program was expanded statewide and delivered to all California branches and their selected campers, and three one-week virtual camps served 640 students from 77 participating branches. The La Mesa-El Cajon Branch sent 10 campers to the virtual Tech Trek. The La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of AAUW has been recognized as a Five Star Program Branch for FY25, marking its fourth consecutive year of achievement, reflecting alignment with the AAUW National Strategic Plan and community-focused programming and advocacy.
Last updated March 24, 2026.
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