Community Investment

Dr. Sally Ride Thanks Sun Microsystems

Dr. Sally Ride, the first woman in space, honored Sun Microsystems' financial and volunteer support of her science camp July 7th. The Sun Microsystems Foundation donated a $10,000 Summer Academic Enrichment grant to Youth Lead, which provided girls from East Palo Alto need-based scholarships to attend the Sally Ride Science Camp. In addition, Sun employees volunteered their time by visiting the camp and motivating the girls about technology careers. Developed by Dr. Sally Ride and Galileo Educational Services, this overnight science camp provides an opportunity for middle school girls to deepen their interest and boost their confidence in math, science, and technology.

"If you survey a typical fourth grade class, about two thirds of boys' and two thirds of girls' favorite subjects in school are math and science. Yet that all changes by the time the girls hit high school. Twice as many boys as girls like those subjects. Girls start drifting away from science in middle school because of societal issues and peer group pressure. There are subtle societal stereotypes that are holding girls back." Dr. Ride explained. The result is that currently only about nine percent of engineers, and twenty percent of scientists are female.

Two years ago, Dr. Ride founded Imaginary Lines, with a long-term goal of increasing the number of women in science and engineering professions. This is the first year of the Sally Ride Science Camp, and this summer's camps sold out in April. The three six-day camps were based on the Stanford University campus, and the girls chose a focus in astronomy, bioengineering and structural engineering.

"Sun's generous monetary donation and the time Sun employees volunteered speaking as role models has made a huge impact for the girls, and I really appreciate it. Thank you for helping reach girls of all backgrounds to encourage their science, engineering and technology interest. They are our future." Dr. Ride said at a recent reception for camp supporters and organizers.

The Sun Foundation's Summer Enrichment Grant program enables under-represented, low income youth to participate in programs to develop their math, science, and technology skills. This year, seventeen nonprofit organizations were awarded the cash grants, including Youth Lead. Grant recipients are from communities near Sun sites in the San Francisco Bay Area, Colorado, Massachusetts and Scotland.

Through the Community Action Volunteer program, Sun employees Judy Sugiyama and Leesa Noujeim volunteered at the camp by speaking to the girls about their backgrounds and careers in science, engineering and technology. Judy Sugiyama, who is part of the Staffing Technology group, participated on three-woman panel at the camp. Girls asked her about earning her biology degree, and her career in the high tech industry. She encourages other Sun employees to support the Sally Ride Science Camp in the future. "It was a great experience and a venture that I hope Sun has more involvement in next year."

Leesa Noujeim has a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering and works in Sun's Microprocessor Packaging Group. She told the girls about her career at Sun, and that engineering is a fun career if you like solving puzzles and learning new things. "Volunteering at the camp was very rewarding, and sitting up there answering the girls' questions about my career was fun. It was really cool to have so many girls interested in science and engineering, and hilarious when some of them asked for my autograph at the end!"

"I am thrilled to be a part of founding this dynamic summer program designed to nurture and further inspire girls' passion in science. Sun's amazing contribution had a significant part in changing the lives of not only the scholarship recipients, but also the peers with whom they shared the week." Stephanie Rafanelli, camp director, commented. As a Menlo school science teacher, Ms. Rafanelli understands the challenge of overcoming middle school girls' risk-aversion to science and motivating them during this impressionable age.

For more information on the Sally Ride Science Camp, call (888) 472-4386, or visit sallyridecamps.com.