Tech camp for girls to teach coding, engineering, robotics, and drones.

San Diego County CA— The Elementary Institute of Science (EIS), in partnership with America’s Finest Charter School and Gompers Preparatory Academy, announced that the Intel Foundation is funding a series of two-week tech camps for middle school girls in San Diego called F.I.R.E. Up! Future Innovators in Robotics and Engineering (F.I.R.E.) is a girl-focused initiative started by EIS in 2016. F.I.R.E Up! is the third program of the initiative. Girls from the partner schools will comprise roughly half of the students participating.
EIS executive director Jim Stone said, “We are honored that the Intel Foundation saw the value in this program that is aimed at building interest in STEM among middle school girls. The only way we will close the gap of women in technology-based careers is to start early and consistently encourage girls’ interest in STEM with appealing, hands-on technology programs like this.”
The Intel Foundation is investing in collective impact partnerships to help close the equity gaps in the technology workforce through an initiative they call She Will Connect, which will encourage over 2,000 middle school girls’ interest in Technology, Engineering, and Computer Science. As part of this commitment to collaboration, the Intel Foundation invested $1.255 million to fund programs like the tech camps at the Elementary Institute of Science.
In addition to learning coding, building and programming autonomous vehicles, and flying drones, students will also participate in a series of one-day field trips to explore local universities and STEM-related businesses.
Thanks to the Intel Foundation grant, F.I.R.E. Up! is offered to middle school girls attending Title I schools in San Diego at no cost to parents or the schools.
An informational night will take place at EIS on Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 PM. Interested parents may call EIS for more information at 619-263-2302 or visit their website at www.eisca.org.