(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)May 8, 2017

High School Girls to Participate in Hands-on Technology Workshops

MAHWAH, N.J. – Approximately 130 high school girls in grades 9–11 and 20 educators from high schools throughout north and central New Jersey will attend the AAUW NJ Teentech 2017 at Ramapo College of New Jersey, in Mahwah, on Monday May 22, 2017. AAUW NJ Teentech is a day of hands-on workshops designed to engage girls in the broad opportunities available in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.

The program hosted by Ramapo College, is sponsored by the American Association of University Women of NJ (AAUW NJ) in partnership with the NJ Technology Education & Engineering Association (NJTEEA), the NJ School Counselors Association (NJSCA), and the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Women In Engineering. The goal of the program is to encourage girls to explore the many high-demand, well-paying careers in technology areas and to pursue a STEM education in high school and college.

At Teentech, the students will participate in two workshops and work in small groups with girls from other schools. The educators who bring the high school groups to Teentech will participate in a discussion, based on the AAUW research “Solving the Equation: The Variables for Women’s Success in Engineering and Computing,” about why so few women are in STEM careers today and how more young women can be encouraged to pursue these careers.

Joe Niclas, Senior Admissions Counselor, was eager to bring Teentech to Ramapo College because of the unique opportunity to showcase the College’s modern and recently renovated high- tech facilities.  In the last few years, the College has invested significantly in renovating its Science and Social Science facilities to make sure that what students experience in the classroom reflects what they will encounter when they graduate from Ramapo.

The hands-on workshops at Ramapo College include opportunities to use science and technology to: experiment with theater lighting, create music, compete at solving physics problems, drive robots, explore virtual reality, learn about the chemistry of candy making, experience high-tech nursing education and explore superconductivity.

Participating high schools at Ramapo College in Mahwah include: North 13^th St. (Newark) Essex County VoTech; Bloomfield High School; Marlboro High School; Waldwick High School; Hoboken High School; Weequahic, Newark; Henry Snyder High School, Jersey City; Linden High School; Morristown High School.

According to Karen Brown, AAUW NJ’s project director for Teentech, “There are many reasons women are still underrepresented in STEM careers, but AAUW research shows that one way this can be changed is by actively countering stereotypes. AAUW NJ organizes events such as Teentech to give girls the chance to experience, ‘I can do this! I can work in a college lab, with computers, with math, and it’s fun – and rewarding.’ We know companies want to hire more women, and hire locally – we’re helping the young women to be prepared.”

Teentech partners recognize that women are still underrepresented in STEM careers – in fact, fewer women work as computing professionals now than 25 years ago. They support the position that diversity in the workforce is important because diversity contributes to creativity, productivity, and innovation.

Margaret Lyons, P.E., Director of RF Engineering, V-COMM, LLC and IEEE NJ Coast WIE Vice Chair, believes it’s important for the students and educators to know about the many pathways to STEM careers.

This year, AAUW NJ is happy to be sponsoring two Teentech 2017 events.  The other Teentech 2017 will be held on May 23, 2017 at Stockton University in Galloway Township, which also hosted Teentech 2015. Approximately 280 girls and 35 educators are expected to attend.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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