Our youth, our future: Sarah Sprouse

Last month, Bridgeport High School freshman Sarah Sprouse had the honor of attending the 4-H National Youth Maker Summit in Washington, DC. Sarah was one of only three West Virginia students at the conference.

"It was an incredible feeling. I got to make a lot of new friends," she said.

At the summit, kids with an interest in science, math, engineering, and technology—or STEM—got to attend workshops and lectures, went on tours and participated in challenges.

4-H leaders nominated Sarah for a scholarship that made it possible for her to attend the summit.

"I was looking for someone who was, one, interested in engineering and computer science and two, I was looking for girls in particular," said WVU Extension Service's STEM programs director, Jennifer Robertson-Honecker.

Young women like Sarah are often grossly under-represented in stem fields.

In fact, according to a 2009 survey from the United States Census Bureau, less than 25 percent of people working in STEM fields are women.

But Sarah won't let those stats stop her.

"We are completely capable of doing anything guys can do," she said.

In fact, she says someday, she'd like to work for Google.

"I might want to do something with computers," Sarah said.

In February, Sarah will attend a youth code camp at Jackson's Mill, where she'll present what she learned at the maker summit.

Sarah is enthusiastic about STEM and wants to share that passion for learning with her peers.

"Through education, you can make a difference in the world," said Sarah.

The 4-H Code Camp is February 23-25 at WVU Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp. West Virginia youth currently in 6th-12th grade, aged 11-17 are invited to attend. Space is limited. To learn more about the camp, check out the related links tab on the upper-right of your screen.