Camp aims to push girls into science-related careers

HALIFAX – A unique camp just for girls is underway in Halifax this week.

The ROBO-Tech all girls camp takes place at the Discovery Centre. The purpose of the camp, which has been running for 10 years, is to teach young girls more about the fields of applied sciences, such as science, technology, engineering and math.

Men traditionally dominate careers in those fields. According to a report called Women in Science and Engineering in Canada, women made up 37% of students in science and engineering degree programs in 2008-2009. The report also states that only 3% of women have careers in natural sciences and
engineering.

During the five day camp, the girls, who are between 6 to 11 years old, do hands-on activities, such as brainstorming how to engineer the tallest tower, and meet with female engineers and programmers.

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Camp leader Jelisa Rushton says that the program is meant to give the girls an interactive experience in careers where women are the minority.

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“The goal is basically empowerment. The idea is that they can do anything that they can physically see in front of them. If they can physically see women who have already done that, it becomes a lot more believable,” she said.

It is already having an impact on some campers.

“I want to be a scientist when I grow up,” said Siya Ajay, 6.

“We do a lot of things and it involves science and when I grow up, I want to be a science teacher,” said Sarah Elliott, 10.

Rushton says that the camp is meant to be a safe place for the girls to experiment in the applied sciences.

“We think this is a nice, comfortable environment for girls to learn to work with other campers. It also gives them an opportunity to meet female mentors in science-related fields,” said Steve Thurbide, manager of science education at the Discovery Centre.

Rushton says that it’s obvious that the girls get inspired by the women who come to give talks about their careers at the camp.

“We heard a lot of girls afterward saying ‘That would be so cool to do. I want to do that when I grow up’,” she said.