Sonoma State University is playing host to a free two-week STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) summer program for 24 middle school girls from throughout Sonoma County. Known as the Girls Tinker Academy, the camps is designed to engage and inspire students in makerspace activities that encourage the exploration and development of technical, mathematical and design skills.
The camp is being conducted under the leadership of faculty members Dr. Natalie Hobson of the Sonoma State Department of Mathematics and Statistics and Dr. Anamary Leal from the Computer Science Department. Twelve SSU students from the School of Science and Technology are serving as mentors to the middle school participants during the academy.
“I do not want girls to feel silenced or shut out by being a minority in the community of makers and innovators,” said Hobson. “I want to provide a space for…