From July 28th to August 1st, thirty middle-school girls in the Hudson Valley had the opportunity to use basic engineering principles to design a roller coaster, program Lego robots, and build a catapult as they participated in a one week-long Technology Camp hosted by IBM. The goal of the camp is to encourage young women to develop a keen interest in science, technology, math and engineering and to increase the awareness of the career opportunities available in these fields. IBM volunteers participate in all the Technology Camps, developing, coordinating and overseeing the innovative projects that include environment-related activities and robotics

IBM East Fishkill hosted the D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. (Developing Exciting Science and Technology Interests iN Youth) Camp for middle schools girls from the Beacon, Highland, Pine Plains, Poughkeepsie, and Putnam Valley school districts. Pictured are PVMS 8th graders (front row l-r) are Kathryn VanDevelde, Abigail Kelvas, Emily Montano, (back row l-r) Michelle Atkinson (IBM Intern and camp coordinator), Sayaka Abe, and Taylor McClean..

IBM will sustain participants’ interests in math, science and technology through IBM MentorPlace (http://www.mentorplace.org), a global online mentoring program that matches IBM employees with students and teachers. Technology Camp participants are matched with an IBM volunteer throughout one school year. Through weekly online communication, students and their mentors keep in close contact to discuss school and career issues, and to work on math and science projects together.

Beginning with the first EX.IT.E. camp in 1999, more than 10,000 young people have taken part in IBM Technology Camps. IBM funds the costs of the camps and there is no charge to those selected to attend. For additional information about the camps, please visit http://www.ibm.com/ibm/ibmgives/grant/education/camp.shtml. Information about IBM is available at http://www.ibm.com.