Career Exploration at Rosie’s Girls TECH

 

For the third year, Vermont Works for Women hosted Rosie’s Girls TECH Camp in Burlington during February school break. 12 campers joined us for a week of learning about opportunities available to them in science, technology, engineering, and math. Each day campers participated in various hands-on activities led by experts in the field. Campers left the week feeling empowered and having a better sense of various jobs in Vermont. 

See below for an overview of how the week unfolded: 

Monday:  

We kicked off the camp week with a lively discussion about artificial intelligence applications and ethics with Greentime.ai. Campers then had the opportunity to test out a LLM model by creating an original character and prompting the tool to create a short comic strip. They practiced creating effective prompts and gained a deeper understanding of the capabilities and pitfalls of these tools.  

In the afternoon, four staff members from OnLogic joined campers to teach them about computers. After campers learned proper safety protocols, they built their own computers, installing different components onto the motherboard and then testing them at the end.  

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday:  

On the second day of camp, staff from Marvell assisted campers in designing circuits using Circuit Maze kits. Campers learned about different components of a circuit, how to understand polarity, and how circuits connect to the work Marvell does in designing semiconductors. The campers were quick learners, moving from beginner challenges to more complex circuitry.  

In the afternoon we were joined by OVR Technology, the architects of the scent-tech market. OVR staff taught campers about the science of scent and scent design, bringing samples of their common scents for us to smell. Campers especially liked the Citrus and Evergreen scents. 

After designing their own scent and creating a visual scent storyboard, campers got to do some play testing of Minecraft using the OVR technology. When the player neared flowers, a floral scent emerged; after the player jumped in the water, you could smell a sea scent – it was amazing! 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday: 

We began the day with Vermont Information Processing (VIP), a Colchester-based software company used by the beverage industry. VIP shared with campers about different methods and applications of coding and encryption, including binary code and hex code, and how to convert information between these codes. They then led an activity in cryptology where students encrypted and decrypted secret messages using Caesar and Vigenère ciphers. 

After some games and lunch, Generator Makespace hosted a metal working workshop. Campers learned how to use metal working tools including specialized hammers, files, pliers, and rotary tools to create their own metal masterpiece.  

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday: 

On Thursday morning, we were joined by two team members at NDI, a Shelburne-based optical and electromagnetic navigation technology company for the medical device market. Campers learned about microscopic medical sensors and how distortion can affect them. To illustrate this point, campers had to navigate through a maze blindfolded by listening to their teammates, without the “disrupters” confusing them. Campers then drew their own people/creatures for an optical tracking activity, labelling and finding various organs like in the game Operation.  

After some games and lunch, we were joined by members of the UVM Society of Women Engineers. The UVM students spoke with campers about different types of engineering and the associated career paths. After learning about iterative designs, campers were challenged with creating a “corgi life jacket” (can of chicken soup) using a fixed number of supplies. After seeing how their “corgis” faired in the first test, campers adjusted their designs to make the cans float longer and more evenly.  

 

 

 

 

 

Friday: 

We wrapped up the week learning about semiconductor chips with GlobalFoundries. After explaining the manufacturing process, GlobalFoundries staff led a lesson on photolithography where campers got to transfer patterns onto paper using lights. Campers were then tasked with an engineering challenge “Ship the Chip” simulating the important engineering that goes into packing and shipping semiconductor chips. In groups of two, campers submitted a purchase order for materials, then engineered a container to keep a Pringles chip from cracking when dropped from a height.  

 

 

 

 

Throughout the week, we paired hands-on skills with fun games and our social-emotional learning Power Skills curriculum. Campers created a Team Pact, learned how to identify their comfort, challenge, and terror zones during Challenge By Choice, discussed body image and gender bias in the media during X-Ray vision, learned about Healthy Relationships, practiced Self-Advocacy skills, and discussed their online habits during Owning My Digital Identity.

Impact & Camper Feedback

Here’s a sense of the immediate impact on campers: 

• 96% of campers reported an increase in Confidence –  feeling open and ready to try new things, even when there is a risk of challenge, making a mistake, or failing the first time.
• 89% of campers reported an increase in Connection – having strong, supportive relationships with those around you.
• 91% of campers reported an increase in Expanded Possibilities – knowing that with the right skills, tools, and support you can overcome obstacles and do anything you set your mind to.

In response to the question “What did you learn at Rosie’s Girls?” campers reported:  

•  “It is OK to step outside of your comfort zone and it helps you grow.” 
• “How to build a computer, what college is like, scent display.” 
• “That everyone is different.” 
• “How to work with metal. I am able to make a computer.” 

In response to the question, “How has your experience at Rosie’s Girls helped you think differently about your abilities and skills?” campers reported: 

• “I used a lot of tech and learned that I didn’t only enjoy arts.”
• “It helped me think about the skills I have and how I can learn new things if I don’t know something.” 
• “It reminded me that there’s other people like me trying to do the things I’m trying to do. 
• “It has made me feel like I could do most things if I try hard and work hard.” 

 

A special thank you to Burlington Technical Center for opening your doors to Rosie’s Girls each day. The week wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our sponsors: Marvell, Community Bank N.A., GlobalFoundries, Copper Leaf Financial, OnLogic, VIP, and Vermont EPSCoR.