Dissecting pigs, building robots and, if all goes well, launching rockets — this camp is for girls only.

Maryland Science Center SciGirls camper Amber Covington, 12, of Hamilton Middle School, wants to be a psychologist.

“I love to work with the environment where I live and I want to make it better,” she said.

Fighting traditional declining interest in math and science that most acutely affects middle school girls, the Maryland Science Center with the help of Honeywell International, Inc. launched its inaugural SciGirls Camp last week. It hosted 40 Baltimore middle school girls and will reconvene monthly throughout the school year.

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“We try to keep girls interested in science … because science is a part of everything we do,” said Science Center President Van Reiner. “We need to get them excited and keep them excited. If this camp can influence even a small percentage of the girls, then I will consider it a success.”

Katie Stofer, 30, created SciGirls with several co-workers at the Science Center to provide opportunities and role models for young girls in science.

aparchman@baltimoreexaminer.com