The leitmotif of this edition was astronomy, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the world of the stars while developing technical skills and competences in analysing scientific data. A large part of the activities took place in the premises of the "École du Bourg" school, which were generously made available for the occasion.
"I really enjoyed the camp, I made new friends and learnt a lot about nebulae and our solar system."
Victoria, 12 years old
Under the guidance of the OSI and Swiss TecLadies teams, the girls learnt how to discover exoplanets around distant stars using real observation data. Even though the weather did not permit the planned night-time observation, they were still able to learn about image processing in astrophotography in a workshop.
The programme also opened windows to other areas of technology. An escape game on cyber security, organised by the Women4Cyber association, allowed them to familiarise themselves with the topic of data protection in an entertaining way. They also visited the Idiap research institute in Martigny, where they explored specific applications of artificial intelligence. Outdoor activities and group games rounded off this week of discovery and dialogue.
Interest in the camp extended beyond the circle of participants: Rhône FM and the RTS programme "Couleurs Locales" devoted articles to it and emphasised the importance of such initiatives in getting girls interested in scientific and technical professions.
"I think it gave them the opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and get out of their comfort zone. I'm sure they will remember it for the rest of their lives. In short: a great experience!"
Céline, mum of two participants
Due to the success of this first edition in French-speaking Switzerland, SATW is already planning a repeat. Until 2026?
