Girls in STEMM Club Visits Microsoft Headquarters

By Mrs. Pamela Rampley, Girls in STEMM Sponsor 

On Friday, January 9, members of the Girls in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine) Club visited Microsoft Headquarters for an engaging and inspiring field trip that brought classroom learning to life. The experience gave students a firsthand look at how innovation, creativity, and collaboration drive one of the world’s leading technology companies. 

During the visit, students learned about Microsoft’s vision and explored a range of current and emerging technologies. Highlights included hands-on demonstrations of Copilot and how it can be used to help code games, as well as tools designed to create lifelike digital avatars. Students were fascinated by video call technology capable of translating spoken language in real time and by shelves equipped with sensors that can detect when a person picks up an item, allowing advertisements to respond dynamically. Devices such as learning pads and the Surface Pen help students see how technology supports creativity, accessibility, and productivity in everyday life. 

A key takeaway from the visit was how interdisciplinary STEMM careers truly are. Students learned that behind every product is a diverse team of engineers, designers, programmers, and researchers working together to solve real-world problems. This message strongly aligned with the mission of the Girls in STEMM Club: to broaden students’ understanding of STEMM pathways and empower young women to see themselves in these fields. 

A particularly meaningful moment was an inspirational talk by guest speaker, Ms. Dongchen Cui, a new Microsoft hire who joined the company earlier this year. She shared her learning journey in STEMM and emphasized perseverance and curiosity over perfection. Her words resonated deeply with students, especially when she said, “It’s not about being smart all the time, it’s about not giving up,” and “You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be curious.” Her message truly embodied the spirit of Girls in STEMM. 

Overall, the visit left students energized, inspired, and more confident in imagining themselves as future innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders in STEMM fields.