BUCKHANNON, W.Va (WBOY) — Former First Lady of West Virginia Gayle Manchin paid a visit to SpaceTrek on West Virginia Wesleyan College’s campus Tuesday, where campers showcased their lunar science research after a week of hands-on activities, including building their own miniature satellites.
Campers presented their projects to Manchin and even invited her to participate in an experiment herself, which she said she was happy to accept.
“Whether engineering, aerospace, math; such a broad array of opportunities that young women today have absolutely every access to,” Manchin said.
SpaceTrek helping girls explore interest in STEM
As the federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, Manchin discussed how programs like SpaceTrek support a larger goal of expanding education opportunities across the state.
“One of the initiatives that came out of my appointment was an initiative called ARISE,” Manchin said. She added that the program is designed to invest in Appalachia’s workforce by expanding access to education as well as career training.
She said initiatives like SpaceTrek help students to find their paths whether in a STEM field or not.
“They may find that they want to work in this, or that it’s not for them,” she said.
With the program being for high school girls, Manchin said they can begin to explore careers early.
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