HOUGHTON–Ainsley Kirk of Marquette attended the Women in Automotive Engineering program at Michigan Tech University in Houghton.

Twelve high-school girls were accepted into this highly competitive scholarship program.

The week-long exploration was designed to maintain a pipeline of college-bound students interested in fields of study that relate to the automotive industry.

As it is a scholarship program, students applied for admission and accepted students received a scholarship valued at more than $1,000 covering tuition, room and board and supplies. Dana Incorporated is a major sponsor of WIAE and provided scholarship fund ing.

In addition to a focus on the automotive industry, the young women experienced college life by staying in residence halls, eating in university cafeterias and exploring campus life with others who have similar interests.