Galloway, N.J. — Using artificial intelligence tools responsibly and learning how to program a robot were just some of the new seminars offered at the annual Tween Tech event on Jan. 9 at Stockton University.

About 150 girls from six South Jersey middle schools participated in the day-long event to engage girls in fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Claudine Keenan, the former dean of Stockton’s School of Education and now a professor of Instructional Technology, has organized the event since its inception in 2017 with the Atlantic and Cape May county branches of the American Association of University Women.

“Each year, hosting Tween Tech affirms Stockton’s commitment to opening STEM pathways for South Jersey girls right at the age when they are deciding what is possible for their futures,” Keenan said. “By welcoming these middle school students into our laboratories and classrooms, we help them see themselves as scientists, engineers and problem-solvers, and many of them later return to Stockton as college students to continue that journey.”

Some of the other sessions included a workshop on how marine science research affects the fishing community, using engineering concepts to build a popsicle catapult, and creating a mini ocean floor to simulate what happens when an earthquake sets off a tsunami.

In addition to some home-schooled students, the participating schools included Galloway Township Middle School, Weymouth Township School, Margaret Mace School in North Wildwood, the Alder and Fernwood Middle Schools in Egg Harbor Township, the Uptown School in Atlantic City and the Southern Regional Middle School in Manahawkin.

-- Story by Mark Melhorn, photos by Susan Allen