STEPS program teaches girls to become engineers

ALLENDALE, Mich. — Middle school girls from around the state will see what it takes to become an engineer at the Science, Technology and Engineering Preview Summer Day Camp (STEPS) at Grand Valley State University.

One of the highlights for the girls is to make and fly radio-controlled electric planes. This year, the STEPS airplanes will fly with the latest lithium-ion-battery technology in electric radio-controlled flight. Throughout the week-long camp, girls will be introduced to computer-aided design (CAD) and CNC milling. They will also visit Alcoa Howmet in Whitehall, Mich., to participate in plant tours and view laboratory operations.

STEPS Day Camp is being held at the Kennedy Hall of Engineering on Grand Valley’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus during two sessions: June 22-25 and June 29-July 2, 2009.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY
Campers will fly their planes at the Warped Wings Fly Field located at the corner of Alger and 56th Ave. in Allendale. The Alcoa Howmet-Whitehall/Alcoa Foundation 2009 Fly Nights are scheduled for June 25 and July 2, from 6-8:30 p.m.

This is the 8th year Grand Valley has hosted the program, aimed at introducing 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. The camp is sponsored by the Esther and Seymour Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, the Padnos School of Engineering, and the Regional Math and Science Center at Grand Valley State University.

For more information visit www.gvsu.edu/steps or contact Margo Dill at (616) 331-2267 or Jessica Noble at (616) 331-6260.