Around Town: Girls Inc. developing STEM summer camp with Duke students
Girls Inc. of Orange County, based in Costa Mesa, is hosting eight Duke University students as part of the North Carolina university’s DukeEngage program, which has undergraduate students participating in service projects.
The DukeEngage participants in Costa Mesa are helping develop Girls Inc.’s Eureka! program, a four-week summer camp held at Santa Ana College and Golden West College each July, according to a news release. The camp gives girls exposure to STEM topics: science, technology, engineering and math.
They are also assisting with Girls Inc. programs that promote the group’s mission of encouraging girls to be strong, smart and bold.
Jaleelah Abdulai, a senior sociology major at Duke who plans to attend medical school, said: “I wanted to work with Girls Inc. because of their dedication to the empowerment of girls in all areas of life, although more specifically in STEM.
“In middle school, my female science teachers were always among my favorite. They showed me that my interest in the sciences is welcomed. Girls Inc. provides me with the opportunity to impact these girls in the same way my teachers have before.”
The DukeEngage students will be with Girls Inc. through Aug. 15.
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Costa Mesa lauded for government innovation
Costa Mesa was recently awarded two first-place prizes by the Assn. of California Cities – Orange County for a development ordinance and response program.
The Small-Lot Subdivision Ordinance won the city a Golden Hub of Innovation Award. It is the first ordinance in the county to make it easier for development of small land parcels by easing “arcane” zoning restrictions, according to a city news release.
When the law was adopted in early 2014, supporters said it would help create affordable-housing options and meet market demands so developers would need fewer variances and deviations from City Hall.
Detractors contended that it would promote more development and traffic in a city that is already built-out.
Costa Mesa was also honored for its PACC proactive response program, a private-public partnership between the Police Department and South Coast Plaza.
The program allows live video streams from the shopping center to be viewed from within Costa Mesa police cars, thus reducing response times and improving coordination during critical events, according to a city news release.
“We are excited to win these awards and be recognized as an innovator in Orange County,” city CEO Tom Hatch said in a statement. “City staff works extremely hard to serve the community and make the most of available resources. It is an honor to be recognized by [the association] for our hard work and creative solutions to daily service demands.”
City officials said Costa Mesa has now earned five first-place awards from the association.