Program II, Education & Curriculum Design, Health, Life Sciences
I'm in a rock band (@thetrench.live) on Instagram!
Witnessing debates over the educational curriculum at my school district, particularly around fundamental science topics, shaped my understanding of science growing up. The negative effects of these curricula were often most felt in public schools like mine- crowded, underfunded, and under resourced. Visiting relatives in Indonesia only solidified these understandings- those without an education often felt trapped in their living situations, unable to take ahold of their goals due to a lack of education. These experiences helped me view STEM through not just the study of science, but the study of how we learn science. It made me curious as to how curricula could be designed effectively to mitigate STEM gaps and educate the general public.
As co-president of the Science Fair club at my school, intern & volunteer with the STEM Action Center, and project lead for Inspiring Mind's STEM Education Initiative in Durham public schools, I've been able to explore the variety of factors that feed into equitable STEM Education. It's led me to study it in my Program II, which explores how curriculum design and factors influencing it can create a more equitable STEM education. I've also begun designing research programs and initiatives for rural Utah high school students - I hope to use these programs to address general public science education. It's crucial to me that people from all walks of life, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, never feel excluded in science, particularly within education spaces.
Apart from STEM education, I also love the science behind it. I spent 4 years in high school in a biomedical lab, another 2 in psychology lab, and am currently working in a cancer biology lab. Outside of school, you'll probably find me playing music with my band members (The Trench!), planning Converge (ASA's performing arts showcase), or crocheting.
Everyone, from student to faculty, is so collaborative and kind!
