SUMMER 2019 STEPS FOR GIRLS University of Wisconsin - Stout STEPS for Girls University of Wisconsin Stout 259 Jarvis Hall Technology Wing 410 10th Avenue East Menomonie, WI 54751 Phone 715.232.5510 steps@uwstout.edu www.uwstout.edu/steps Camper smanual
Table of Contents Intro to STEPS for Girls.. 2 Head Counselor Welcome 3 Graduation Invitation. 4 What will be Supplied to You.. 5 What to bring. 5 Camp Policies and Procedures.. 6 General Policies and Procedures Residence Hall Policies and Procedures STEPS Contact Information. 7 STEPS Office Jo Hopp, STEPS Director Vicki Price, Camp Coordinator Sample Weekly Schedule.. 8 1
Intro to STEPS for Girls The Science Technology and Engineering Preview for Girls (STEPS for Girls) is a program sponsored by and conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. The mission of camp is to empower girls to build confidence and interest in pursuing careers in science, technology and engineering. Camp is designed for girls just completing sixth grade so to provide information and inspiration early enough to influence their selection of appropriate math and science courses in middle school and high school. The program, presented for the first time in the summer of 1997, is conducted in four, 5- day camps of 40 girls each through July and early August. The girls are divided into four different colored teams of ten with a female college student assigned as the counselor for each team. Each team is involved in a balanced schedule of hands-on science, technical and recreational activities, all of which are designed to be fun and engaging. Throughout the week, each camper designs, manufactures and analyzes the operation of her own obstacle avoiding robot. For example, campers learn how plastic and metal objects are formed in our plastics lab and foundry. They operate robots and electronic devices to control automated manufacturing systems. They assemble the electrical wiring harness for their robot in the electronics lab. The packaging activity teaches them how products are packaged, and they create a house for their robot. The importance of mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics in preparation for a career in engineering or technology is highlighted throughout camp through exciting and active classes in these disciplines. Further, each science and technical class is linked together to show how all the disciplines contribute to the development and manufacturing of each girl s robot. All the activities are presented by Stout faculty and industry professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics -- the vast majority (nearly 85%) of which are women. In addition to the technical activities, campers also tour two local manufacturing companies to see the connection of the things they learn at camp to industry. Further, several recreational activities are also scheduled, including a High Ropes teamwork and problem-solving session, swimming, pickleball, picnic, pizza party, and karaoke. STEPS for Girls is intended to help break down gender or cultural obstacles which may prevent a young woman from considering a scientific or technical career and to provide her information on how to properly prepare for one. It is presented in a fun, welcoming and comfortable manner while exposing the girls to several excellent role models of women in engineering and technology. 2
Head Counselor Welcome Dear Parent and/or Guardian, Hello! My name is Jacqueline Radke, and I m pleased to welcome you to STEPS camp! I have been a part of the STEPS family ever since I was a camper myself. Since then, I worked up the ranks as a Junior Counselor, a Lab Assistant, and the Red Team Counselor. This will be my third year as the Head Counselor, and I couldn t be more excited! I grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota before moving to Northfield, Minnesota where I recently graduated from St. Olaf College as an Economics and Theater double major with a concentration in Management Studies. Some of my favorite classes growing up were focused in the STEM fields. Because of this, I am incredibly grateful for the knowledge and motivation that STEPS camp gave me when I was a camper. Helping STEPS campers learn and grow has been one of the best experiences in my life. I greatly look forward to working with and helping your child. As Head Counselor, my priority is to ensure your child is healthy and safe while having a fun and impactful experience here at STEPS. I will be here for your daughter through any problems that may arise. From working through homesickness to mediating disagreements, I am here to ensure your child is heard and cared for. We have noticed over the years that most cases of campers being taken home early are due to homesickness. I would highly recommend spending some quality time with your daughter before coming to camp and discussing homesickness, how to work through it, and how it can affect one s health so that your daughter is prepared to be away from home for five days. Along with social and emotional assistance, I am here in case your daughter has any unexpected health or hygiene needs. While some issues are quickly remedied with a trip to the store, we are also prepared to handle any trip to the emergency room, which is why we are requesting health information from you and your daughter. For this reason, it is important that you provide as much information as you can. During STEPS, your daughter will be paired with a roommate whom she does not know. We do not take roommate requests for camp. This is purposeful and it is not possible to change while your daughter is with us. If your daughter is concerned, let her know that her counselor and I will be there to help and that her roommate is someone, much like her, trying something new away from home. It may help if your daughter brings a favorite stuffed animal or family photo with her. STEPS camp provides all meals and snacks. We also request that you don t provide any snacks for your daughter to have while at camp. This is extremely important as some snacks may cause a health risk to fellow campers with allergies and STEPS camp is committed to providing a safe living environment for all campers. Further, campers will already be well-fed from the provided meals and snacks. We also request that you do not send your daughter to camp with any fundraising projects (popcorn sales, candy bar sales, etc.). The only money your daughter will need during 3
STEPS is if she wants to purchase something in the campus bookstore. Campers will be given a window of shopping time near the end of the week to do this. Otherwise, feel free to take your daughter to the bookstore after camp or order items through the online campus bookstore. Campers will not need cameras either as we will have camp photographers available to take all pictures for them. Finally, it is important that you do not send your daughter to camp with a cell phone as we have noticed that girls who allow themselves to be fully immersed into camp life don t have time to get homesick and are more impacted by their experiences. Because of this, we would recommend that your daughter take another type of alarm clock. Otherwise, wake up calls can be done by Counselors as needed. At registration, you will be provided my contact information in case any need for communication arises. I hope this letter is helpful in answering some of the questions you may have about STEPS and in preparing your daughter to have a great week at camp. I am sure she will truly expand her horizons as she discovers some of the science, technology, engineering, and math opportunities available to her. Sincerely, Jacqueline Radke STEPS Head Counselor Graduation Invitation We hope to see all parents and guardians at the STEPS graduation ceremony which takes place at 4:45pm on the final day of camp (Thursday). Details on location of the graduation ceremony will be provided when you drop your camper off on Sunday at 1:00pm. STEPS concludes with this ceremony. Immediately following the ceremony, campers check out of their dorm, pick up their belongings and are welcome to enjoy walking around campus and visiting the bookstore. 4
What will be Supplied to You Meals and snacks Dormitory room Pillow and pillow case Bed sheets and light blanket 2 STEPS t-shirts (must be worn daily) camp shirts will be laundered daily Safety glasses What to Bring 1-2 pairs of long pants/jeans (required for certain activities) NOT leggings, sweatpants or capris. Pants must cover your ankles. Sneakers/tennis shoes (closed-toed shoes required for certain activities) Ponytail holders and/or headbands, etc. (hair must be tied back for all lab activities) Zip-up sweatshirt (cardigan-type sweatshirt, not pull-over, so we can still see t-shirt color) 3 shirts (2 t-shirts are provided and will be worn daily and will be laundered daily) Shorts (enough for 5 days) Underwear and socks (enough for 5 days) Pajamas Swimming suit Pool towel and slippers/sandals Bath towel/robe Flip-flops and shower caddy Light blanket (suggested) Extra pillow (optional) Toiletries (soap, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) Laundry bag for dirty clothes Alarm clock (cannot be a cell phone) Cash (campus store shopping) Personal medications (all medications, even over-the-counter, must be checked in with staff at check-in on Sunday) NOTE: Snacks/drinks from home are not permitted. Also, there will be no need for any electronic devices, including cell phones and cameras (alarm clocks are OK). Cell phones are not allowed. There is no need for cameras since we employ a professional photographer during camp and all pictures will be available for campers. Finally, Kindles and tablets for books are not needed. We have a very full schedule at camp with limited evening time for recreational reading. 5
Camp Policies and Procedures These rules were established to keep ALL campers safe, to make the camp enjoyable for ALL and to support the overall mission of STEPS. The purpose of this camp is to have fun while being fully present and engaged. We expect all campers to follow these rules and have a great time! General Policies and Procedures 1. Campers are expected to respect and follow the directions of all camp staff, including counselors and instructors. 2. To ensure campers will not miss out on important directions, materials and activities, campers will not be allowed to carry electronic devices, such as a cell phone or camera. We have a photographer on staff who will be taking pictures at all events. Pictures will be available through a Shutterfly account username and password provided at Sunday registration. 3. Stay with your counselor and team AT ALL TIMES. All classes, activities and meals will be done as a team so you must be punctual and stay together. Never wander off. 4. All campers are expected to show consideration and respect for each other. Fighting and/or bullying behaviors will not be tolerated. If you have any problems with any of the other campers, try to work it out. If that doesn t work, go to your counselor. If you notice any behavior you are concerned about, please talk with your counselor. Residence Hall Policies and Procedures 1. All campers will be assigned a roommate by camp staff before the camp begins. Roommate requests are not accepted, and room changes are not made during camp. 2. Parents will be charged for any damages incurred by their camper, including lost keys. 3. Campers are not allowed to make phone calls or have cell phones at camp. If there is an emergency or major issue, camp staff will contact the parents/guardians directly. If any issues or concerns come up at home and you need to leave a message for your camper, please call the camp office number (715-232-5510) and leave a voice mail message. If there is an emergency at home, a 24/7 number will be provided at check-in on Sunday to be used. This number will be used for emergency purposes only, so our staff can focus on the campers at all times. 4. Lights-out is at 10:00pm. Campers are expected to remain in their rooms quietly after lights-out. 5. CAMPERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE RESIDENCE HALL WITHOUT A COUNSELOR. 6. Any camper caught stealing or damaging another camper s belongings will be sent home immediately at the expense of their parents. 6
STEPS Contact Numbers STEPS Office (8:00am-4:30pm): 715-232-5510 steps@uwstout.edu Jo Hopp, STEPS Program Director 715-232-5510 Vicki Price, Camp Coordinator 715-232-5510 UW-Stout 259 Jarvis Hall Technology Wing 410 10 th Avenue East Menomonie, WI 54751 24/7 emergency contact numbers will be made available when you drop off your camper at Sunday registration Please Note: Camp online registration is at www.uwstout.edu/steps. Deadline for registration is June 1, 2019. Your email confirmation will indicate your assigned camp week. If there is a problem with your assigned week, please notify the camp office and email steps@uwstout.edu immediately. Changes in assigned weeks may not be possible. Camp weeks are as follows: Week 1: July 7-11, 2019 Week 2: July 14-18, 2019 Week 3: July 21-25, 2019 Week 4: July 28-August 1, 2019 Arrival and residence hall information will be emailed prior to camp. 7
Sample Weekly Schedule Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 7:00 Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast 8:00 Packaging Foundry Biology Chemistry 9:00 Packaging Foundry Physics Chemistry 10:00 Plastics Robotics Math Multimedia 11:00 Plastics Robotics Campus Bookstore Multimedia 12:00 LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH 1:00 Registration Automation FabLab 2:00 Registration Automation FabLab Local Industry Tour Local Industry Tour Graphic Communications Graphic Communications 3:00 Survey Orientation Electronics Manufacturing Local Industry Tour Robot Activity 4:00 Orientation Electronics Manufacturing Local Industry Tour Robot Activity 5:00 PICNIC DINNER DINNER DINNER GRADUATION 6:00 Ropes Course Swimming Pickleball Karaoke 7:00 Ropes Course Swimming Pickleball Karaoke Jarvis Hall Science Wing 110 Check-out 8:00 Ropes Course Swimming Pickleball Karaoke 9:00 Discussion Quiet Time Discussion Quiet Time Discussion/ Quiet Time Discussion/ Quiet Time 10:00 Lights out Lights out Lights out Lights out 8