There is nothing scary about these young drivers getting behind the wheel. Middle school girls from all over the state are getting ready for a week of scientific exploration as they learn how to assemble and fly a radio-controlled airplane. Grand Valley State University shows these girls what it takes to become an engineer at the Science Technology and Engineering Preview Summer Camp, or STEPS. The camp is sponsored by the Padnos School of Engineering and the Regional Math and Science Center at Grand Valley.
Campers receive hands-on experience working with engineers from the university, and are taught some of the scientific principles of flight by Grand Valley physics professionals. During the week-long camp, the girls are introduced to computer-aided design, injection molding, vacuum forming and CNC milling. They will also be visiting Howmet Castings, an Alcoa business in Whitehall, Michigan, to tour and participate in laboratory operations.
STEPS is being held at Grand Valley in two sessions: June 20-24 and June 27-July 1, 2004.
The Howmet Castings/Alcoa Foundation 2004 Fly Nights will be Wednesday, June 23 and June 30 from 6-9 p.m. at Warped Wings Fly Field at the corner of Alger and 56th in Allendale.
The goal of the STEPS program is to introduce young women to the opportunities for technical careers early enough to influence their choices of math, science and technical courses in middle and high school. More than 180 girls statewide qualified for the 80 openings. Campers were selected by lottery.
STEPS is tuition-free, created in 1997 at the University of Wisconsin-Stout as part of an effort to attract more women and minorities into the field of engineering. As girls enter 7th grade, STEPS is hosted by Grand Valley State University, and then again in 10th and 11th grades, hosted by the University of Detroit-Mercy.
