Five middle school girls from Flagler County told their community about a week they spent living on a college campus and exploring science after attending a summer STEM camp sponsored by the local branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
The five campers — Michelle Ervin, Karolina Grinde, Kendall Miller, Isabella Wessley, and Leila Worley — shared their experiences at the AAUW Flagler County Branch’s monthly meeting on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. They had attended the AAUW Florida Tech Trek camp in June 2026.
Since 2013, the AAUW Flagler County Branch has worked to help middle school girls find their passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The week-long camps are held at Stetson University in DeLand and Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter, where the girls live in campus residence halls. Students choose workshops from core courses, including 3D Cityscape Adventure, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Marine Biology, Marine Science, Neuroscience, and Structural Engineering.
According to the group, research has shown that offering hands-on problem-solving during the transition from seventh to eighth grade encourages more girls to explore STEM careers, where women are “seriously under-represented.”
What the campers said
The girls described moments that stood out to them. Isabella Wessley, who loves biology and sharks, was impressed by the chance to dissect a shark and said she believes the camp helped her realize her potential.
L – Isabella Wessley
R – Karolina Grinde
From L to R:
Virginia Hammons, Michelle Ervin, Amanda Grinde, Karolina Grinde, Kyle Grinde, Leila Worley, Erica Mendez, Matthew Weasley, Isabella Wessley
L: Leila Worley. – Buddy Taylor Middle School
M: Kendall Miller – Buddy Taylor
R: Michelle Ervin – Indian Trails Middle School
Michelle Ervin said being exposed to professional women reinforced her belief that “women are equal to men.”
Leila Worley called the camp “life-changing,” saying she loved staying in the dorms and visiting the paleontology exhibits at the science center.
Karolina Grinde said the experience was “out of this world” and that she loved being exposed to new opportunities. She said neuroscience and marine biology are her favorite subjects and that she appreciated the chance to dissect cow and sheep brains.
Kendall Miller, who could not attend the luncheon in person, shared her thanks in a pre-recorded video, calling it a “once in a lifetime camp.” “I am super grateful and excited to see what the future will hold for me,” she said.
How the program works
To date, AAUW Flagler County has sponsored 63 girls to attend the Tech Trek camps. Potential campers are nominated by their seventh-grade math and science teachers. The application process includes writing an essay and appearing for an interview, and final selection is made by an AAUW Florida state committee.
The branch covers the $1,500 cost per camper, which includes all classes, lectures, lab activities, and on-campus living expenses. A $50 registration fee is the only cost to the family.
Those who want to help place Flagler County girls on a path toward success can donate to the program. Checks can be mailed to AAUW Flagler (Tech Trek), PO Box 354873, Palm Coast, FL 32135-4873. Online donations can be made through the secure payment portal on the branch’s website at https://flaglercounty-fl.aauw.net.
