My Story
My engineering story started at a Philadelphia School District elementary school in Southwest Philadelphia. While there, I began to love math, science, and engineering. One of my teachers acted as a mentor to me and offered me, along with another student, the opportunity to work on more complex engineering projects outside of class. Together, we made a hanging garden based on the Gardens of Babylon that could support small plants such as strawberries and tomatoes we grew inside the school. This was one of my first real experiences working with a team to follow the engineering process all the way through to get a final product. Later, in middle school, I joined my school’s robotics team.
As I got older and participated in more developed programs, I noticed the imbalance between the boys and girls in STEM. Many girls weren’t confident in their abilities and therefore got fewer opportunities to show them. The girls in these groups ended up being talked over and didn’t have the chance to share our ideas. I took this experience with me into high school, where I joined the robotics team and quickly gained more experience in engineering. As I’ve grown more confident over time, I’ve taken charge of projects and have even become one of my team’s captains. I’m motivated now to work toward my engineering career. This experience has also encouraged me to support younger girls because I have been in their shoes and have the perspective needed to support them.
My Project
Philadelphia Girls Engineering Mentorship is an after-school program that will bring together younger girls from around the city interested in STEM. Participants will meet female scientists who will share their expertise in specialized fields of science and engineering and be introduced to the scientific world and process.