Fifth and sixth grade girls filled the auditorium at the Davis Catalyst Center on Tuesday to participate in the second annual Tech-Hers Jr. program hosted by the Davis Education Foundation to empower girls to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. The initiative is supported by funding from Chevron and Northrop Grumman. 

The girls heard from a panel of female industry leaders before going to breakout sessions with instructors in culinary arts, engineering, flight, drones, medical science and more. 

“This program is such an important step in ensuring that girls see a place for themselves in STEM,” said Karah Crosby, CTE Business Development Coordinator. “By connecting students with strong female role models and creating engaging, hands-on experiences, Tech-Hers Jr. is building a foundation for long-term success.”

A Tech-Her is a girl who has big dreams, said Catalyst Business Development Coordinator, Natalie Stromberg. “She’s an explorer. She’s an innovator. A Tech-Her is someone who loves to work on projects with her hands. A Tech-Her is you. The reason you are here is because we believe in you and we support you.”

It’s really cool to look around and see there’s only women in this room, she said. “We want you to grow into a Tech-Her and to build your dreams.”

Katie Scholer, Technology Integration Specialist in the Davis School District showed the girls how technology has changed in the 30 years since she was their age. “So phones are totally different than they were when I was your age,” she said. “We got to go to the computer lab a few times a year. How often are you guys on your computers? Every day. Do you have to share your computer with anyone? No, you have your own device that you get to use every single day.”

Scholer demonstrated some AI tools. “Did you know that all of you have access to AI through our school district?” she said. “These tools are all out there and available to you to use to help you with your schoolwork and it is so exciting.”

Panelists included, Lauren Vander Werff, Environmental Team Lead, Chevron Salt Lake Refinery; Bekah Moore, Director of Operations, Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems; Sarah Hainline, Digital Member Identity Manager, America First Credit Union; Emily De Anda, Commander, 75th Comptroller Squadron, United States Air Force and Hannah Knight, Classroom Technology Support, student at Weber State University.

Why did you choose to study STEM? Stromberg asked the panelists. “I first fell in love with STEM when I was in eighth grade,” said Vander Werff. “I was taking an earth science class. We were talking about rocks and I thought, ‘wow this stuff is so cool.’”

“I actually didn’t know that I wanted to study STEM,” said Moore. “I had an older brother who was really, really smart. So he kind of got all the opportunities to go do math and science. As I became an adult and started going to college, I learned about all the really cool things that we could do when we use and apply science and technology.”

“Originally I wanted to be a pilot,” said De Anda. “I know you see the Air Force and you probably think maybe I am a pilot, but I’m not. They have a lot of different career fields in the Air Force and mine is finance. That comes from my love for math. I’ve always loved math.”

Meadowbrook Elementary sixth grader, Harlie Hansen dollops a scoop of frosting on the cake she is decorating in the culinary arts class as part of the Tech-Hers Jr. program. Photo by Becky Ginos.

 Whitesides Elementary sixth grader, Lilly Michel decorated her own cake in the culinary class. “I think it’s really cool,” she said. “Baking is my favorite thing at home. I definitely want to work in a bakery when I grow up.”

“I want to look at different options for what I want to do when I grow up,” said Meadowbrook Elementary sixth grader, Harlie Hansen as she decorated her cake. “My mom is good at baking at home so I want to learn more.”

“Research shows that girls and boys share an equal interest in STEM subjects until around age 11, but by 15, girls’ interest significantly declines,” said Crosby. “Programs like Tech-Hers Jr., are vital in keeping that curiosity alive and helping young women envision their potential.” λ