When Amy Wilke graduated with an electrical engineering degree, she was one of only two women in her class. Now she’s one of the dedicated team of volunteers at ATC, a Waukesha-based utility company, who is giving back to inspire young students.
Last summer, ATC joined forces with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s EnQuest Engineering Camp. The dynamic program aspires to ignite curiosity and encourage interest in the exciting world of STEM for high school girls but is open to all qualified students regardless of sex or gender identity. This past summer, EnQuest immersed participants in hands-on adventures in both biomedical innovations to renewable energy engineering. Campers experimented, problem-solved and discovered how their ideas can help shape the future.
“I wanted these students to see they can absolutely pursue science and succeed,” Wilke says.
What is EnQuest?
Stop by EnQuest’s week-long summer camp, and you might see students designing solar-powered phone chargers or running biomedical simulations with advanced software. Since 2011, EnQuest – short for “Engineering Quest” – has introduced hundreds of students to real-world engineering projects like these. Hosted by UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science, the camp gives students the chance to learn skills and see the vast impact engineering has across the world.
This year’s activities included soldering stained glass sun catchers, engaging in process design games, and participating in Engineers Without Borders challenges. Students also learned resilience through trial and error, like when a 3D printer malfunctioned, prompting them to adapt and find creative solutions, just as real engineers do.
And EnQuest has a powerful impact – 75% of alums go on to pursue engineering careers.
ATC’s Role: More Than Just Sponsorship
ATC’s involvement went far beyond financial contributions. Volunteers like Wilke, Senior Reliability Compliance Analyst; Jill Muller, Team Leader of Contracted Engineering Services; and Keith Jonas, Manager of Grid Technology, played a pivotal role in guiding students through hands-on activities and sharing their personal journeys in engineering.
“I happened to stay home from school on a day that a military recruiter visited my brother. The recruiter noticed my strong grades and encouraged me to consider electrical
engineering, a path I hadn’t thought about before,” said Muller. “I want to be that voice who tells someone who may not have considered it, that they can do it too.”
ATC is helping to keep the camp accessible to students from economically diverse backgrounds, with its funding going toward program experiences, supplies and scholarships.
Keith Jonas, a UWM alum, found fulfillment in the students’ engagement and curiosity. “Our interactions showed that engineering is about teamwork and diverse perspectives, not just technical expertise.”
Why It Matters
Programs like EnQuest play a critical role in shaping future innovators. By blending technical challenges with mentorship, they empower students to see themselves in engineering roles. ATC’s support is an investment in cultivating a diverse, skilled workforce ready to solve tomorrow’s energy challenges.
“EnQuest students are motivated by the way engineering is hands-on, creative, collaborative and helps people in relatable ways,” said Chris Beimborn, STEM Outreach Manager for the UWM College of Engineering & Applied Science. “The ATC volunteers offered insight into real world professions essential to communities, and the stories behind those career paths. The College of Engineering & Applied Science is so grateful to ATC for supporting EnQuest.”
ATC has already committed to supporting EnQuest in 2026. The growing partnership is benefitting students, educators and engineers – and it’s powering the future.
Learn more about Enquest at enquest.uwm.edu.
