Providing Scholarships for Women to attend Michigan Tech Summer Youth Programs
Why This Project Is Important
Research shows that women are less likely to become scientists and engineers because of lack of female engineering role models (in 2012 only 14% of engineers were women), misconceptions of what it is like to be an engineer, and having fewer technical problem-solving opportunities through K-12 compared to men. Programs like the ones offered at Michigan Tech can help break down these barriers by connecting 6-11th grade girls with role models in industry and providing them with a week of intensive, hands-on exploration alongside their peers. ASME.org, Mark Crawford (Sept. 2012).
Project Description
Scholarships provide opportunities for high-achieving young women in grades 6-11 to experience different areas of engineering at Michigan Tech's Summer Youth Programs. Led by Michigan Tech faculty, staff, and graduate students, participants are able to: - Explore different fields of engineering and get a taste for the strengths each one has to offer during Women in Engineering (WIE) - Dive into programming and meet role models from industry as part of Women in Computer Science (WICS) - Begin to explore future career possibilities during their middle school years when they take on Junior Women in Engineering (JWIE) - Take a look under the hood and around the lab while experiencing Women in Automotive Engineering (WIAE) By hosting programs exclusively for girls, Michigan Tech is trying to change the widespread perception that STEM fields are only for males.
The programs also promote diversity by welcoming students from across the US and around the world. These programs need your sponsorship to provide opportunities to as many future female engineers and scientists as possible. Students applying for all of these programs are highly competitive and motivated young women. They come from widely varying backgrounds to ignite their passion and engage in an experience that will shape their lives and benefit society. Since 2009, of the WIE alumnae who reported their chosen college major to the National Student Clearinghouse, 63% pursued an engineering degree.
In addition to enrolling at Michigan Tech, other schools of choice included: MIT, Harvard, Yale, University of Michigan, Georgia Tech, Purdue, and other world-renowned technological universities.
Sponsors
Meet the Researchers
Liz Fujita
Liz is a Coordinator at Michigan Tech's Center for Pre-College Outreach. Her outreach focus is on programs to benefit local students: GEAR UP (11th grade college readiness), after-school STEM clubs, and events for local students (including Get WISE and Engineering Olympics). She graduated from Michigan Tech in 2012 with a dual degree in mathematics and social science.
Cody Kangas
As Director of the Center for Pre-College Outreach at Michigan Tech, Cody leads a team of six to deliver three innovative university flagship operatives--Mind Trekkers, Summer Youth Programs, College Access Programs--as well as develop the Pre-College Innovative Outreach Institute. Prior to coming to Michigan Tech in 2008, Cody worked in several academic and athletic outreach programs, including Ann Arbor Public Schools and the United States Olympic Committee. While at Michigan Tech Cody has served on a number of task forces and steering committees, managed the delivery of innovative outreach programming for several hundred-thousand students and families through federal and private-funded sponsors, and created effective partnerships with stakeholders across K-12 schools, industry representatives, and non-profit organizations. Cody holds an MAED in Postsecondary Leadership from Michigan State University, and a BA in Sport Management from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He is a proud father of two girls and spends his free time with his wife and family, traveling, and playing the guitar.
Amanda McConnon
Amanda McConnon is a U.P. native who attended Hancock High School and received a Bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University in Graphic Communications. Prior to starting at Michigan Tech in 2015, she worked as the Marketing Coordinator for a lifestyle shopping center in Middleton, WI where she created and lead all marketing, advertising, community events and public relations efforts. During that time she was an active Ambassador for the Middleton Chamber of Commerce and she continued her efforts in community growth and engagement when she moved back to the UP by serving on the steering committee for Keweenaw Young Professionals since 2013 and was a driving force in the creation of an Ambassador program for the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce in 2014.
In her current role as the Assistant Director, Center for Pre-College Outreach at Michigan Technological University she is responsible for assisting with K-12 outreach programs, coordinating and overseeing all marketing and social media along with special event planning. Programs include the Michigan Tech Summer Youth Programs(www.syp.mtu.edu), Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers(www.mindtrekkers.mtu.edu), and Michigan Tech GEAR UP.
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What Your Donation Can Help Us Do:
- Provide scholarships for talented young women to attend one of Michigan Tech's Competitive Women's Scholarship Programs
$100+ 4 Funders
Thank you card, photo of students
$500+ 3 Funders
All of the above, and a souvenir mug
$1,000+ 3 Funders
All of the above, and a hand-written thank you letter from student
$2,500+ 2 Funders
All of the above, and a t-shirt
$5,000+ 2 Funders
Gift sponsorship (logo on website, other relevant merchandise)
$10,000 2 Funders
Special event scholarship (day of the week, dinner, full branding)
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Gifts to projects listed on SUPERIORIDEAS.ORG are received and processed by Michigan Tech Fund. Michigan Tech Fund is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code acting on behalf of Michigan Technological University. It is the policy of Michigan Tech Fund that a portion of the gifts and/or income therefrom may be used to defray the costs of raising and administering the funds.