Summer STEM activities encourage Arlington students to pursue careers in STEM fields

Arlington School District students, staff and alumni experienced a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning over the summer. Megan O'Brien, a teacher at Post Middle School, provided an opportunity for students to travel to California through World Strides on a STEM focused trip. In addition, Megan has participated as a volunteer STEM educator at Tech Trek which is a weeklong STEM camp for 13-year-old girls put on by the American Association of University Women.

O’Brien teaches at the camp during the summer and offers courses on engineering bridges, the relationship between astronomy and chemistry, and fun with physics. Other courses at the camp include genetics, coding, robotics, anatomy, physiology and more. The students also took field trips to the Museum of Flight, tested the health of a stream at Mt. Rainier, and learned about the Salish Sea.

“Teaching at this camp has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching career,” said O’Brien. “I really enjoy inspiring young ladies to explore STEM learning in a really positive environment.”

Former Tech Trek participant and recent Arlington graduate Brooklyn Helle shared, "Tech Trek was one of my first experiences with hands-on science. I had so much fun collaborating with other girls who shared similar interests and am very grateful I was given the opportunity to attend the camp. It inspired me to continue taking science and math classes throughout high school and put me on the path to get me where I am today: ready to study computer science at the University of Washington.”

In addition to the Tech Trek camp, O’Brien took seven Arlington students on a STEM excursion to California where they met other students from around the country. They visited Yosemite National Park, The Computer Museum, The Exploratorium as well as other venues.

O'Brien expressed, "I am always amazed at the variety of STEM experiences World Strides provides students in such a short span of time. It is a life changing opportunity for many students."

Adi Romanus said, “The STEM trip was amazing! I got to meet so many amazing and cool people from different places. We got to visit many interesting and unique places. It is a trip I will never forget.”

Leah Bergstrom shared, “I had so much fun on this trip! I met new friends, saw Alcatraz, and many other cool places and overall had a blast. It was cool seeing all these amazing things and getting to learn more about STEM and how it is used all around us.”

“It was definitely a different experience full of opportunities, like sights to see and people to meet,” said Eric Garberding.