Support
Lake/Sumter AAUW supports STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education for girls and women interested in STEM fields and college scholarships for women from Lake and Sumter Counties.
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Tech Trek Campership Awards
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Tech Trek is a week-long STEM-focused residential camp for girls going into the 8th grade. Hosted by AAUW-Florida, the camp is held on a university campus; it is designed to develop interest and excitement about STEM fields as well as self-confidence in young women. Campers are nominated by teachers and AAUW branches to attend. The university campus experience gives girls a chance to think about the kinds of opportunities a college education can afford them. Hands-on instruction and field trips encourage maximum interaction and instruction in environments where STEM professionals work.
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Support begins with 7th-grade girls who have excelled and showed interest in their STEM classes. Their teachers' nominations lead to their participation in AAUW-Florida's Tech Trek. After fielding applications and conducting interviews with the girls and their parents, our TechTrek Team forwards names to AAUW-Florida for final selections.
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In 2020, Tech Trek was cancelled due to Covid. But in 2021 the camp was virtual; it will be offered in that format as well in 2022. Three of our 2021 Tech Trek campers came to our January 2022 General Meeting to tell us about their camp experience. View the videos they made about their time at Tech Trek to see the impact of our support.
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Since 2014, Lake/Sumter AAUW has sent over 40 girls to Tech Trek. And in 2022, we are delighted to send nine more rising 8th grade girls from Lake and Sumter Counties to this unique STEM education experience.
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For more information about Tech Trek, visit AAUW-Florida's Tech Trek. Or email our branch Tech Trek Team.
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Berlyn W.
Tech Trek 2022
Berlyn W's mother sent us a message on our Facebook page about her daughter's experience at Tech Trek in June 2022.
Read the Message
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Two of our 2019 Tech Trek Campers
Three 2021 Tech Trek campers with Sumter County STEM Coordinator and branch Tech Trek Chair.
Sending other girls to Tech Trek is crucial so they can have a learning experience that breaks them out of their shell... Jayley L.
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I learned never to give up. Kila S.
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My core class...gave me a better idea of what I want to do later in life. Aspyn W.
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College Scholarship Awards
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The Lake/Sumter branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers scholarships to women who have completed the first two years or 60 undergraduate credits of a bachelors degree.
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Each year we award scholarships to support women as they complete the last two years of their undergraduate work. Winners receive an award for their junior year and, assuming progress, they receive a continuing award for their senior year.
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The application process begins in the fall, and winners are presented at our May General Meeting. Since 1988, we have awarded over 40 scholarships to deserving young women.
Email the Scholarship Committee for more information, and download criteria for our scholarship program.
Recent Scholarship Recipients
Amanda is now in her senior year at Beacon College and has a B+ average. In her free time, she has her own pet sitting business. She will graduate in May 2024, with a major in Anthrozoology and a concentration in Business. Amanda has been promised a job at Animal Care Wellness Center in Leesburg after graduation and plans to become accredited as a Vet Tech.
Amanda C.
“Being awarded the AAUW scholarship has opened more doors for me and broadened my mindset. It has been wonderful not to have to worry about being able to pay for my classes, and just dedicate my time to my studies. I am so glad to be a part of AAUW and hope to become an inspiration for other women to go catch that dream of a college degree.”
Kelli-Ann W.
Charity B.
Charity received her AA degree in the summer of 2023. She started on her baccalaureate degree at Lake Sumter State College in the fall of 2023 and is majoring in Strategic Leadership. She has taken four courses so far and received an “A” in all of them!
Charity has a 3-year-old son and works full time in the hospitality industry while attending college. She wants our members to know that she is “super” grateful for our scholarship
Donations
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We welcome donations for mission-driven branch programs, including Tech Trek for rising 8th grade girls Scholarships for college/university women completing their baccalaureate degrees.
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Tax Status
American Association of University Women Lake/Sumter Branch, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and is registered with the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Donations may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
If you are considering making a contribution please contact our branch Finance Director for additional information.
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