2009 AP Physics Camps

The 2009 Dallas ISD AP Physics Camp hosted 38 girls at the Townview Magnet Center. On June 11, the girls were given a tour of the University of Texas at Dallas where several professors demonstrated their work:

• Dr. Yves Chabal, a leading authority on semiconductor surfaces, semiconductor materials and the interfaces between them, and the first holder of the Texas Instruments Distinguished University Chair in Nanoelectronics - Dr. Chabal provided encouraging words for the girls and explained the work in the nanotechnology lab in understandable terms.
• Dean Terry, Associate Professor of Aesthetic Studies in the Art & Technology program, head of the Emerging Media (EMAC) area, director of Mobile Lab & the Online Worlds Lab – Mr. Terry and his graduate student gave an exciting and educational demonstration of the motion capture lab.
• Dr. Mary Urquhart, physics and astronomy education specialist – Dr. Urquhart led the girls in hands-on physics experiments.

Some of the camp participants commented about the tour:

• "The trip was amazing. I got to see what a university is really like."
• "It made me consider UTD for college."
• "I have never been to a college campus before, so it was cool."

The 2009 Plano ISD AP Physics Camp, held at Plano West Senior High School, had 45 participants. During the camp, TI hosted a breakfast for the camp participants. At the breakfast, Tammy Richards, Associate Dean of the Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University, decided to award a $1000 scholarship to the participants.

The scholarships are an integral part of the SMU Lyle School of Engineering Gender Parity program. SMU Lyle endeavors to be among the first engineering colleges with an equal number of young women and men. The current Lyle enrollment is 32% female, approximately double the national average. The $1,000 scholarships are awarded to young women who attend the Lyle Engineering Girls’ Camps that have been held on the SMU campus since 2005. The camps serve rising 8th through 12th graders. SMU expanded the scholarship program for this year to the young women participating in the Women of TI Fund Plano ISD Physics Camp, in recognition of the initiative of these young women to use their summer time in pursuit of serious academic pursuits and their long-term interest in engineering and science. The scholarships are contingent upon acceptance and enrollment in the SMU Lyle School. These young women are also eligible for other merit-based University and Lyle Engineering scholarships upon enrollment.

Marla White, Operations Manager for CPG, MIS, and HC, was one of several TIers who volunteered or spoke at the camps. Marla expressed her enjoyment from volunteering: "Thank you for the opportunity to speak at the PISD Physics Camp yesterday. I had a good time and enjoyed giving back to future women leaders. The girls were very engaged and asked good questions. The teachers were welcoming and excited. I enjoyed their energy. If you need volunteers for this event next year, please keep me in mind."

Facebook pages have been created for both camps:

• Request to join the DISD Facebook page
• Request to join the PISD Facebook page

Plano Physics Camp article

2008 AP Physics Camps

In 2008, more than 40 girls attended the AP Physics Camps in Dallas and Plano, Texas. The Women of TI Fund has sponsored AP Physics camps in DISD for the past six years and recently expanded the program to PISD. Since its inception, more than 300 girls have participated in the summer camps

Making a difference

Survey results revealed that prior to the 2008 summer camps, 44 percent of participating girls were not considering a STEM career, but are now interested in a career that involves science or math.

In this same survey, the girls were asked a series of questions about their future plans. The specific questions and results for each are provided in the table below.

Because of my experience at the 2008 AP Physics Summer Camp:

Demographics

From a demographic perspective, the table below displays details about the girls’ parental level of education (40 girls in total).

Neither parent went to college at all: 14
Don’t know: 6

In their own words

These quotes about the AP Physics Camp experience were taken directly from the 2008 student surveys:

• I loved the fact that everything was extremely hands-on. Most of the learning in the classroom is from a textbook, and this was a great change.

• I enjoyed the enthusiasm from the teachers and TAs (teaching assistants).

• I learned a lot from the college admissions [talk]. I liked when the TAs taught because you can get a view of how things affect people our age.

• [The instructors] were really good. They didn’t just give out the answers. They explained whatever problem we had and were persistent until we figured it out.

• [The speakers] encouraged me not to give up and to follow my passion. They also gave me insight into many of the situations, problems and questions I may have to deal with.

Photos from the AP Physics camps