Tech Savvy
We are finalizing the details for this event, so please check back soon for updates.
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Tech Savvy is a one-day conference that showcases women in science, but is open to all youth in grades 6 to 9, and their parent(s), designed to inspire and encourage them in STEM fields. The students who attend Tech Savvy will experience exciting hands-on activities led by professional women in STEM fields. There will be a program for adults to learn more about working in the STEM fields, encouraging their children in STEM, and helping them to prepare for college or technical school.
Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. CST
Registration
To register for this event and secure your spot, click the link below and complete the online registration form before Saturday, March 8, 2026. Our events tend to sell out quickly, so it's recommended to register as soon as possible. If the event is already sold out, you can choose to register for the waitlist at no charge. If a spot becomes available and you are next on the waitlist, you will receive an email notification. You will have three days (or less, as indicated in the email) to respond and accept the open spot.
We do NOT accept walk-up registrations at event check-in.
Student: $15
Parent/Mentor: $15
Included in the Fee: The student fee includes access to the workshop, lunch, a drawstring bag, and a t-shirt. The parent/mentor registration includes access to a workshop and lunch. Additionally, if a participant registers for the camp after Sunday, Feb 22, 2026, t-shirt size will not be guaranteed.
A 2.85% surcharge applies to all credit/debit card payments to cover processing fees. Payment by check is exempt. Checks should be made payable to "UW-Whitewater" and mailed to:
UW-Whitewater Camps and Conferences
800 West Main Street, Andersen Library Room 2124
Whitewater, WI 53190
Payment Deadline & Policy
Full payment is due 21 days prior to the event start date. Registrants with outstanding balances after this deadline may be removed from the event roster without a refund. If there are extenuating circumstances affecting payment, please contact Continuing Education Services at cesevents@uww.edu before the deadline.
| Time | Activity | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:30 | Check-in & light breakfast (University Center) | ||
| 8:30-8:40 | Welcome, greeting from vice-chancellor, Thank sponsors, etc. | ||
| 8:40-8:50 | Walk to Hyland Hall | ||
| 8:50-9:20 | Keynote Address | ||
| 9:20-9:30 | Walk to Upham Science Hall for first workshop session | ||
| Students | Parents/Mentors | ||
| 9:30-10:25 | Workshop #1 | 9:30-10:25 | Parents attend workshop #1 with their student |
| 10:30-11:25 | Workshop #2 |
10:30-11:00 11:05-11:35 11:40-12:20 |
Parent session #1 Parent session #2 Parent session #3 |
| 11:30-12:25 | Workshop #3 | ||
| 12:25 | Walk to University Center | ||
| 12:35 | Lunch | ||
| 1:10 | Closing remarks, evaluations, recognition of schools with the most students, and door prizes | ||
| 1:30-2:15 | Optional Campus Tour | ||
Student Hands-on Workshops (choose 3)
Technology: Robotics
Robotics 101: Build and Program a Robotic Hand
Kat Ray, Software Developer, Yahara Software
Explore the exciting world of robotics and mechanical engineering as you build a robotic hand that can be programmed to tap out a creative rhythm. Along the way, you’ll learn foundational robotic concepts and vocabulary. Combine problem-solving and critical thinking skills with your creativity and computer science principles to make something awesome.
Forensic Science
Bust Crimes with Technology
Detective Erin Johnson, Janesville Police Department
You have probably seen detective shows and movies, but do you know how technology and science are used to solve real-world crimes? Do you have what it takes to be a crime scene investigator? Jump into an investigation to find and gather evidence using technology to unravel a crime scene. Law enforcement works closely with the crime lab to analyze evidence including fingerprints, shoeprints, firearms, DNA, blood stains, tool impressions, and more. Experience it firsthand!
Meteorology
Solving Weather Mysteries
Amanda Morgan, Meteorologist, WMTV 15 News, Madison
Weather impacts every person on the planet, but how it works is a mystery to most! This workshop will teach you the basics of what creates changes in the weather and global climate. You'll learn the difference between high and low pressure by creating clouds in plastic bottles. You'll produce your own warm and cold fronts to see how changing temperatures generate movement in the atmosphere. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your mini climate model and observe factors that can cause warming or cooling in an environment.
Biology: Genetics
Wear Your Genes!
Dr. Kirsten Crossgrove, Genetics and Molecular Biology, UW–Whitewater
Experience the thrill of extracting your own DNA! In this session, you will isolate deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from your cheek cells, as well as from strawberries or bananas, and watch it form visible white strands as it precipitates out of a solution. You will collect the strands in a tube that you’ll string on a necklace to take home. Along the way, you’ll learn about the beauty of the DNA structure and how its structure relates to its function.
Chemistry
Electrolyte Challenge: Juice versus Sports Drink
Dr. Kimberly Naber, Lecturer, Chemistry Department, UW–Whitewater
Sports drink companies spend millions of dollars on advertising their beverages each year. They typically tell you that you need their products to replenish the electrolytes you lose through sweat when you exercise. In this workshop, you will uncover the truth when you compare the electrolytes in a sports drink with those in juices and other beverages. You’ll discover which beverages have more electrolytes to replenish what you lose when you work out or play sports.
Biology: Medicine
Surgical Intern for a Day
Dr. Christine Chuppa, OB/GYN, Fort HealthCare
Dr. Molly Larson, OB/GYN, Fort HealthCare
Dr. Elizabeth Lynk, OB/GYN, Fort HealthCare
Medicine is the ultimate helping profession. You may help to bring a new life into the world or save another life from ending. In this workshop with "a peel,” you will scrub and gown up for surgery, place sutures on a banana, and perform a local injection and biopsy of an orange. You will learn sterile techniques and surgical skills under the guidance of physicians at Fort Healthcare Center for Women's Health. Join us for a close and revealing peek into the world of medical careers.
Geology: Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Landslides
Natural Disaster Detectives
Dr. Prajukti Bhattacharyya, Professor of Geology, UW–Whitewater
What causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides? In this session, you will learn the science behind these geological disasters, design earthquake-resistant buildings, experiment with shoreline erosion and landslides, model underwater lava flows, and more. Are you curious about a rock you have or the rocks in your backyard? Bring a rock sample and use sophisticated lab tools such as a microscope or powder X-ray Diffraction method to uncover its secrets!
Civil Engineering
Measure the Eiffel Tower with Surveying Tools
Emily Harrison, Project Manager, JT Engineering, Inc.
Explore the world of surveying and take your skills to new heights! In this workshop, you will use professional surveying equipment, including an Automatic Optical Level and a Survey Rod. With the measurements you record, you will solve survey equations to find the heights of several nearby objects. Once you understand surveying basics, you will use known elevations from Paris to answer the question: How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
Physics
Sun-Powered Racers: A Solar Car Building Adventure
Gwen Sutter, Senior Analyst, Supply Chain, Alliant Energy
Heather Steuri, Technology Resiliency Manager, Alliant Energy
Traci Hohn, Lead Human Resource Business Partner, Alliant Energy
Are you ready to unleash your creativity and innovation by building your very own solar-powered car? Using kits, you'll learn about solar energy, circuit construction, and engineering mechanics. No experience is needed, and you will even get the chance to race your car against others! This hands-on activity not only teaches the principles of renewable energy but also empowers young minds to think critically and solve real-world problems.
Chemistry
Bath Bomb Chemistry
Hailey Hinze, Training Specialist–Therapeutics, SHINE Technologies
Here’s your chance to apply engineering principles and acid-base chemistry to create the perfect recipe for super impressive bath bombs. Create bombs with varying proportions of acids, bases, and salts. Then conduct scientific experiments to discover how quickly the reactants create carbon dioxide (CO2) in each sample. In the process, you'll discover the optimal mixture to create an ideal, long-lasting, fizzy bomb. You'll be able to use your recipe to make more bath bombs at home.
Parent Sessions (choose 3)
What Are the Differences among Engineering Specialties?
Brittany Noe, Project Manager, IPEC
Civil, industrial, mechanical, biomedical, mining, electrical, aerospace…the list is long. Learn about the many and varied careers in engineering. What do professionals in these careers do? Where are the job opportunities? Ask questions and get suggestions for talking with your teen about engineering careers.
The Potential of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges
Dr. Hairi, Assistant Professor, Computer Science, UW–Whitewater
Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and many more, have revolutionized many aspects of our lives, especially within the field of education. In this talk, I'll provide a brief overview of generative AI, demonstrate its capabilities, and discuss some of its limitations. Through live demonstrations, we'll explore the potential of these tools and consider their implications for students in grades 6-9 and beyond.
Explore Careers in Health Care
Lisa Jensen, MBA, BSN, RN, Vice President of Nursing Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Fort HealthCare
In healthcare, the opportunities are endless. Learn about careers under the healthcare umbrella and how to find the career that fits one’s aspirations and interests. What are the job duties? What type of experience or education is required? Ask questions and receive guidance on how to introduce your child to a career in healthcare.
Your Kid Could Save the Planet: Exploring Sustainability Careers
Cassandra Thiel, Assistant Professor, NYU Langone Health; CEO, Clinically Sustainable Consulting
No matter what you “believe” about climate change, it is happening. For society to survive and thrive, we need every sector to address consumption and overuse and move toward sustainability. For better or worse, this demand for change comes with a lot of career opportunities for young people. In this session, you will learn about “sustainability” and how is it being applied to various career fields, including my own in healthcare.
The Future of IT Careers
Matthew Cheek, Innovation/Media Specialist, Johnson Creek School District
Information technology impacts the world more and more every day. It is an ever-changing field that impacts everything from jobs and education to our day-to-day lives and even sports and our hobbies. Whether a student is interested in a career in software development, data analysis, software engineering, or artificial intelligence, the tech industry offers many opportunities that promise growth, challenge, and rewarding careers. Hear about exciting tech careers on the horizon and ask questions
No refunds are available for this event. All cancellation requests must be submitted to cesevents@uww.edu.
We reserve the right to cancel any event due to low enrollment; in this case, all fees paid will be refunded.
For participants who will be receiving a sponsorship to attend this event, please follow these steps to redeem your sponsorship:
- Register for the event and use the promo code provided by your sponsor during checkout.
- The sponsorship amount will be deducted from your invoice. Any remaining balance will be the participant's responsibility.
- If you need to cancel your registration, please note that the sponsorship funds will be returned to the supporting organization.
Please note that any qualifying discounts given by the event will not be applied after you have paid in full. Be sure to use the promo code during checkout to receive your discount. You will be charged if you do not qualify for the requested discount at the start of the event.
If a refund is issued due to overpayment on your account, a processing fee will be assessed.
If you have received an award or scholarship without a promo code or want to use two promo codes, please call Continuing Education Services at 262-472-3165 or email cesevents@uww.edu before registering to avoid overpayment fees.
Want to Sponsor a Registrant?
If you would like to sponsor a registrant and cover all or partial fees, you can request a promo code to give to your chosen registrant. Get more information about sponsoring a registrant.
Keynote Address
Finding Your Authentic Self and Embracing Community
Willow Newell
Miss Wisconsin 2025
Willow Newell will take us behind the scenes of her inspiring journey to becoming Miss Wisconsin 2025. Passionate about meaningful community impact, Willow is excited to introduce her initiative, The ART of Belonging—a program that demonstrates how the arts can create inclusive, welcoming spaces for people of all ages. She’ll share powerful stories of lives transformed through artistic expression and highlight how engaging with the arts fosters creativity, communication, collaboration, and confidence. Ultimately, she’ll reveal how the arts can open doors to personal growth and long-term success.
A Racine native, 22-year-old Willow Newell is a graduate of Carthage College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre. She has been performing vocally for over 15 years and has participated in numerous community and collegiate theatre productions. She participated in the Racine Theater Guild and played lead roles in productions at Carthage College. She hopes to continue her passion for music, acting, and writing, and have a career in directing theatre and film productions
Preparing for Camp
Check-in will take place at the James R. Connor University Center (lobby area by Hamilton Room).
Driving Directions
Parking
You will NOT need a permit to attend this event. More information on parking is on the Visitor Center website.
By registering for an event, you agree to our Registration Terms and Conditions. UW-Whitewater will hold all registrants responsible for their conduct. Serious misconduct or disruption will lead to immediate dismissal from event. Registrants dismissed from the event will not receive a refund. Please review the Terms and Conditions for more details.
Be aware that we recommend that all portable electronic devices be left at home, but ultimately it is your decision. We know that parents and children value the ability to be able to call each other at a moment's notice. For that reason, we do not prohibit cell phones at camp, but ask that cell phone use does not interfere with the event and other participants. Parents are responsible for setting clear guidelines for cell use with their child. We will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items.
We receive many questions from registrants. We have prepared a page with answers to our frequently asked questions about registering and attending an event.
Thank you to our sponsors!
