Intel engineer wins volunteer award

Intel engineer Amy Wainwright has been named one of 10 regional winners for the prestigious Gordon Moore Hero Award for her dedication to inspiring young women in STEM.

Wainwright, a Rio Rancho-based employee, has been instrumental in shaping the minds of future innovators through her volunteer work with Tech Trek, a STEM camp for eighth-grade girls in New Mexico.

“This year I was honored by being selected as a regional winner of the Gordon Moore Hero Award at Intel. The award recognizes Intel volunteers who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to their communities. I have the privilege of once again volunteering at Tech Trek,” Wainwright said. “I wanted to share this because when I applied for the award, I was hesitant that what I did wouldn’t be enough to be a contender with other applicants. As I started the process of answering application questions and requesting recommendation letters from Tech Trek organizers, I realized I undervalued what my volunteering effort offered. With this award I get to direct a $5,000 donation from the Intel foundation to Tech Trek, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that I took a chance on myself to apply for it. All volunteers are heroes in my eyes. So if given the opportunity, apply for that grant or award that may seem out of reach because you will never know unless you try.”

For seven years, Wainwright has captivated young minds with her landfill design and testing workshop. Her ability to transform complex engineering concepts into hands-on experiences has ignited a passion for STEM in countless girls. Beyond the workshop, she has dedicated countless hours to mentoring camp counselors and refining her curriculum to ensure maximum impact.

Wainwright’s commitment to empowering the next generation of engineers is deeply personal. Having discovered her own passion for environmental engineering later in her academic journey, she is determined to provide young girls with the exposure and encouragement they need to pursue STEM careers from an early age.

"The age students come to the camp is a critical time for them to make choices about their high school classes," Wainwright said. "I want my workshop to influence their decision to pursue STEM."

Wainwright’s dedication and achievements have not gone unnoticed. Her workshop consistently receives high praise from camp participants, and many have gone on to enroll in STEM-related courses in high school. Tech Trek staff have also commended Wainwright’s impact on the camp's overall success.

As a regional winner for the Gordon Moore Hero Award, Wainwright will receive a grant from the Intel Foundation to support Tech Trek’s mission. She plans to use the funds to further enhance her workshop and expand its reach to even more young girls.

"My passion is supporting STEM education," Wainwright said. "I want to continue inspiring kids to believe that they can achieve anything they set their minds to."