The Journey of UTD's Women in Physics Camp

Mary Urquhart, PhD, MS

Established in 2003 by Dr. Mary Urquhart, an associate professor and department head of science/mathematics education (SME) at UTD, the Women in Physics Camp emerged as a response to the glaring gender disparity in STEM fields. Driven by her own experience as the only female physics professor at the time, Urquhart recognized the urgent need for educational outreach initiatives to tackle this complex community issue. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by girls in STEM, particularly the decline in interest in physical sciences during upper elementary and middle school years due to perceived gender biases, Urquhart embarked on a mission to inspire and empower young girls to pursue careers in physics and related fields.