Middle school girls from throughout the state are getting ready for a week of scientific exploration as they discover how to assemble and fly a radio-controlled airplane. Grand Valley State University will show them what it takes to become an engineer at the Science Technology and Engineering Preview Summer Day Camp or STEPS.
Campers receive hands-on experience working with engineers from the university and other volunteers. The girls learn how to adapt, modify and assemble parts to construct their airplane. Campers are also taught some of the scientific principles of flight by physics teachers.
Throughout the week-long camp, girls will be introduced to computer-aided design (CAD), injection molding, vacuum forming and CNC milling. Twenty female engineers from Howmet Castings, an Alcoa business in Whitehall, are involved in the STEPS program and will provide a tour and participate in laboratory operations.
STEPS Day Camp is being held at Grand Valley State Universitys Allendale Campus during two sessions: June 20-23 and June 27-30, 2005.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY
**Campers will fly their airplanes at the Warped Wings Fly Field located at the corner of Alger and 56th Avenue in Allendale, Mich.
**The Howmet Casting/Alcoa Foundation 2005 Fly Night is scheduled for Thursday, June 23 and June 30, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
HUMAN INTEREST ANGLE:
When Raya Hollis heard that the STEPS program was being run as a day camp this year, rather than an overnight camp, she wondered how she could attend from her home in Southfield. Her father Jeremiah, a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, told her not to worry. Hes getting a hotel so they can stay nearby. Theyll attend the second camp session, June 27-30.
Raya is a student at Birney Middle School in Southfield, where she has participated in an after-school robotics program. She is interested engineering, but also is considering a career as an astronaut or patent attorney.
She plays the French horn, has a brown belt in Karate, was an honor roll student this past year, and volunteers with Meals On Wheels. Her father says she is well-balanced, shy and would never boast about her own accomplishments, so he does.
He can be reached at 248-910-2278.
BACKGROUND:
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 school and high school.
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. The STEPS program was brought to Michigan by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Educational Foundation located in Dearborn, Mich.
The program targets young girls at two critical stages. As they 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.
The camp at Grand Valley is sponsored by the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, the School of Engineering, and the Regional Math and Science Center. The program has received funding and support from the Alcoa Foundation, Michigan Space Grant Consortium, The Nokomis Foundation, Sebastian Foundation, Smith Aerospace, and Grand Valley State University. More than 100 girls statewide qualified for the 80 openings. Campers were selected by lottery.
A complete schedule of camp events is available upon request. For more information contact Margo Dill at 616-331-2267 or Jessica Rothe at 616-331-7189 or Grand Valleys News and Information Services department at 616-331-2221.
