From: WBAL 1090AM

Angela Jackson

Rising sophomores at a local all girls’ school are intensely using computers while school is out – but not just for social media – they are taking a peek behind the curtains to learn the network and security side of programs.

A few incoming 10th graders, who are part of the 5-year-old nationally acclaimed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program at The Catholic High School of Baltimore, say that what they are learning in the 8-day long summer program will not only help them in the classroom, but also eventually in their careers in science and engineering.

School officials say the Computer and Network Security Camp offered at the school in east Baltimore is unique because it is the only summer camp of its kind in the state that offers young women such an intense education on computer security. There are 18 students in the summer program.

The girls are not only learning about cyber security, but are involved in hands-on lab experiments and tests.

“This learning experience is a huge opportunity in the technology world for us, it’s exposing us to so many different things and opportunities for science and engineering, robotics,” says Alicia Sabatino, who will be in 10th grade at Catholic High in a few months.

In September, 27 new students will be in the 4-year STEM program, bringing the total number to 70.

Donors and benefactors help to fund the program, according to Steve Cole, the school’s STEM coordinator.

“It’s important that girls in an all girls situation know that they can be empowered to do this, that they’ll be successful at Catholic High and that’s going to prepare them to be successful in college and their careers, he adds. “I think the confidence factor that they get out of this program is immeasurable and can’t be replaced.”