STEMming From the Heart by Winnona

STEMming From the Heart by Winnona - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

I ruled out STEM careers as a second-grader because I decided that I wasn't good enough for the field. I went into high school lost and confused in career choice until a hands-on Robotics class sophomore year showed me the wonders of STEM. Similar to my experience, I have seen children, especially females, rule out STEM careers at a young age due to the minimal exposure to the fields leading to inconfidence in their skill and academic achievement.

I started a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) program at my elementary school to help students regain that confidence and help them find their passions, or develop new ones, advancing them into their future. I engage students in hands-on projects to receive a different aspect in these STEAM fields that they don't receive in the classroom. A favorite is the balloon powered vehicle because they learn about the engineering design process and they see how every letter of STEAM plays in creating their vehicle. Creating scenarios and holding competitions for them only add on to the excitement. My program especially serves as a stage for the children to showcase their full potential and do what they love.

The feedback from my program has been phenomenal. I've held two sessions last year, when I was only scheduled to do one. This year, the school wants to incorporate my STEAM program into their curriculum, so all their students have the opportunity to explore different career paths. I have also inspired a few of my classmates to start programs at their own alma-mater. This year, I plan to open up my program to the Carson community to enable access to more children and breaking down barriers such as school funding, community, and family situations.

Working with these children, our future, has filled me with happiness and gratitude. I have learned to be more patient, open-minded, and resilient. Every time I teach, I look forward to their cute grins, contagious squeals of excitement, and warm hugs: a constant reminder that I am making a difference in their lives as they will make a difference in ours.