Girls in STEM - Wildlife Crossings
Girls will learn about all aspects of civil engineering through the prototyping of wildlife bridges to support wildlife travel across roadways. Throughout this program, participating girls will learn about wildlife habitat, migration patterns, and how human and wildlife needs are taken into consideration through the design of wildlife corridors.
This program will be supported by the Summit County Safe Passages and the Colorado Department of Transportation who is currently designing a wildlife corridor on the east side of Vail Pass. This corridor will serve as the scenario for the overall program and project.
Details
When: 3/27-29, 2020
Registration Closes: 3/16, 2020
Who: Girls, Grades 3rd to 12th
Where: Keystone Science School
Rate: $175
(includes lodging, meals, programming, and use of supplies and technology)
Scholarships Available for $50 and are awarded to those who express economic need and a passion for the program.
Sample Schedule
Students are not provided dinner on the first evening. Please ensure they have eaten prior to arrival. This program schedule may change based on the availability of our STEM Mentors.
Friday, March 27th
| 6pm | Arrival & Program Introduction |
| 7pm | STEM Mentor Presentation: Wildlife Corridors |
Saturday, March 28th
| 8am | Breakfast |
| 9am | Design Thinking Process: Civil Engineering |
| 10am | Understanding the User: Wildlife Habitat and Human Requirements |
| 11am | Prototyping |
| 12pm | Lunch |
| 1pm | Design & Test |
| 6pm | Dinner |
| 7pm | STEM Mentor Presentation & Documentary |
Sunday, March 29th
| 8am | Breakfast |
| 9am | Complete Prototypes |
| 11am | Parent Presentation and Pick-up |
STEM Mentors
- Julia Kintsch, Engineer
- Julia Jung, Structural Engineer
- Ashley Nettles, Wildlife Biologist with U.S. Forest Service, White River National Forest - Dillon Ranger District
- Michelle Cowardin, Wildlife Biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Elissa Slezak, NW Region Land Use Specialist, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Wildlife Biologist and Game Warden
- Danielle Neumann, Land Use Specialist, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Martha Miller, CDOT Engineer
- Karen Berdoulay, CDOT Residential Engineer
- Julie Curnutte, Engineer
High School Mentors
The Girls in STEM High School Mentors program is open to any students currently in 9-12th grade and is designed to encourage continued engagement within STEM. Our High School Mentors serve as role models for our younger Girls in STEM participants while also participating in a specialized curriculum aimed at developing leadership skills, increase self-awareness and confidence, and learning about STEM career paths. Our High School Mentors can participate in our Girls in STEM weekend programs for $50 and our day programs for $5.
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