Saturday, February 21, 2015

Presenting Microsoft YouthSpark "Science for Success" at the Pittsburgh Carnegie Science Center

Today (Feb. 21st),  I presented Science for Success at the Pittsburgh Carnegie Science Center's Engineer the Future Day. The Science for Success booth featured a "STEM Connection" to provide information to young, middle school, and high school children of the opportunities available to them in the Pittsburgh area or nationally. My engineering friends and I answered questions including: what it is like to study engineering, occupations of engineers in our fields, and how we became interested in the sciences. Through our booth, we also featured Microsoft YouthSpark's free national programs and gave kids cool light up YouthSpark bracelets. 

In the morning my friends and I set out on our adventure. Set-up times for the event were between 8am and 10am; we left our dorm to board the bus around 8:30am. Our bus ride went smoothly to downtown Pittsburgh but, while taking the train to the Carnegie Science Center from downtown, we accidentally boarded in wrong direction. After the confusion, we rebounded in the correct direction, finally reaching the Carnegie Science Center. 



Once at the Carnegie Science Center, we eagerly set up the Science for Success/Microsoft YouthSpark booth. 




As the Center opened, children energetically poured in to explore. It was exciting for us to share information about fun opportunities in STEM and discuss the fields of engineering we are studying as college students. 




A little about my friends and their fields:


This is Aeriel, she is studying Industrial Engineering. Industrial Engineers improve processes, engineering systems to improve quality and production in workplaces.


Abby is studying Computer Engineering with a Software Engineering concentration. Computer Engineers focus on programming (software) and hardware to build computer-based systems in found in cars, phones, electronics, medical and other devices.


My friend Marium is studying Chemical Engineering. Chemical Engineers work to understand and design chemical processes to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and other products.

Talking with children about science and engineering was awesome and we enjoyed exhibiting!



The Pittsburgh Carnegie Science Center is a fun place for children to experiment and learn. As exhibitors, we had an opportunity to discover the museum. RoboWorld is my favorite exhibit. 


In the afternoon, our floor Resident Assistant (RA), Evan, joined our booth as a volunteer. His enthusiasm and great connection with kids was much appreciated! 

I am very thankful for my friends who volunteered with me, helping make the Science for Success exhibit possible, Elisa Willman with the Microsoft YouthSpark team for sending swag and YouthSpark material, and Microsoft for funding my initiative.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Science for Success in Pittsburgh!

Earlier this week, I eagerly checked the package room in my dorm.  Two boxes had arrived from the Microsoft Corporation; it was swag for my Science for Success exhibition representing Microsoft YouthSpark at the Carnegie Science Center's Engineer Your Future Day (Feb. 21st). 



Science for Success, my initiative to encourage young girls to explore science, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) opportunities, and connect with mentors, began as my Girl Scout Gold Award project in 2011. Last year, I entered my project in the 2014 Global Microsoft YouthSpark Challenge for Change, and was selected as 1 of the 5 winners from an international pool of applicants from 50 countries! As a winner, I am receiving Microsoft funding to incorporate Microsoft technology while expanding my project. 

In the fall of 2014, I did an outreach program at a local high school in Pittsburgh, presenting to two computer science classes. I focused on providing students with an overview of careers in computer science and technology, exposing them to opportunities and resources designed to target increasing diversity in computer science available to them as high schoolers. On December 5th, I did a Science for Success presentation for another school in Pittsburgh. I shared my background in science and presented careers in STEM, as well as various opportunities in science, math and technology for students. 

Tomorrow, February 21, 2015,  I am excited to present at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center, hosting a Science for Success booth as part of Engineer the Future Day. The Science for Success booth is hosting "STEM Connection," providing information to students of how to engage in STEM opportunities in the Pittsburgh area or nationally. I have recruited friends to help with the booth, and our aim is to engage students, holding conversations to identify student interests to help match students with corresponding programs and opportunities, including camps, exhibitions, summer experiences, and internships. The booth will have flyers for students, including: "Fun Ideas and Ways to Explore Science in the Pittsburgh Area"; "STEM Programs and Resources: Middle School;" and "STEM Programs and Resources: High School." Science for Success is funded in part by Microsoft YouthSpark, and we will be highlighting free Microsoft STEM programs available to students, handing out YouthSpark swag.

I'm pumped for the event! 

I am also excited to announce that the 2015 Microsoft YouthSpark Challenge for Change opens February 25, and I encourage you to enter. Dream big in your ideas, and spark change! A 2-week trip and $2500 is at stake! Below I am pictured with the 4 other global winners: Sara (USA), Satya (India), Dominic (Philippines), myself, and Juan (Mexico) in the Ecuadorian Amazon. 
Read about our journey here and brainstorm ideas to begin your own adventure!