June 2008
Techstravaganza Acknowledgements
April 20, 2008
Techstravaganza, an outreach program designed to encourage middle school girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, took place on Saturday, April 19, 2008. Techstravaganza is planned and hosted by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technolog's TWIST (Tomorrow's Women In Science and Technology) with major support from WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) and GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science). The event would not have happened without the dedication of Yasmin Kamal and Xiaoxiao Lin, Techstravaganza coordinators, and the TWIST officers whose tireless efforts made the event possible.
An all-volunteer event, Techstravaganza depends on the support of students, faculty, parents, and corporate volunteers for its success. Thank you to the nearly 100 Thomas Jefferson students, many of whom arrived early to help set up, worked two volunteer shifts, and then stayed late to clean up after the activity. Special thanks to Ms. Jean Lee and Ms. Elisabeth Vrahopoulou. Ms. Lee was so busy checking in volunteers that she never had the opportunity to visit the demonstrations; Ms. Vrahopoulou found herself running errands to purchase extra supplies in addition to volunteering at the ExxonMobil exhibit!
Thanks goes out to the Thomas Jefferson staff. Dr. Ashley Jones and Ms. Pat Maturo assisted students with the preparation of solutions used in several of the activities. Mr. Dennis McFaden spent the entire afternoon helping students extract strawberry DNA. Dr. John Woodwell worked tirelessly building electric motors. Mr. Steve Scholla and Mr. Shane Torbert provided general supervision. Mr. Jim Jarvis spent the day supervising, running errands, and acting as the staff photographer. Dr. Evan Glazer gave Segway rides and taught students about center of mass. The ever-present Ms. Bettie Stegall shot hundreds of yearbook photos. Instructional assistants Linda Phillips, Susan Luxenberg, Zarrin Ghodsinia, and Jane Curtis helped students gather and organize materials and reproduce documents. Several members of our custodial staff were on hand to keep the facilities clean.
Techstravaganza could not take place without personal and financial assistance of our corporate sponsors. WAVnet, the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, CSSI Inc., Powertek Corporation, Women In Technology, ExxonMobil, the TJHSST PTSA, Smart Technology, and Woodward & Associates all made generous contributions this year. Volunteers from Women In Technology, ExxonMobil, NASA, CSSI Inc., WAVnet, Powertek Corporation, and the Thomas Jefferson Admissions Office set up and worked at wonderful displays. Thank you!
Helping guide young people toward careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is a very gratifying experience. Thanks once again to each of you.
Jim Rose
TWIST Sponsor
(c) Xiaoxiao Lin. All rights reserved.