Being a STEM Ambassador
I walk around the classroom, watching high school freshmen build structures that are supposed to withstand a simulated earthquake. I approach the table at the end and see a cute albeit very abysmal leaning tower of marshmallows and toothpicks. At this particular table, there are two students creating the structure, two contributing ideas, and one sitting quietly watching everything happen. Much to my dismay, the one sitting idly to the side is both the only female and the only student of color at the table.
“Hmm interesting building, but it doesn’t look very sturdy. What do you think the group is missing,” I say directly looking at the female student.
At first she doesn’t answer. Then she shrugs, tilts her head and with some hesitation, eventually replies, “They’re missing something to hold the marshmallows up higher. Like a crisscross structure.”
“That’s a great idea!” Looking at the other students I shrug and say, “You heard the lady, you guys might want to think about adding additional support.” I walk away, to help another group but when I look over my shoulder, I see the girl actively helping the group, directing even. Their tower ended up being the highest and sturdiest, thanks to the help and insight of the female of color in the group.
As a woman of color myself, I felt an immediate sense of pride watching her group win and seeing her rewarding smile. Although I decided to major in Community Health instead of Biology, as a student on the premedical track, I still take many STEM classes and I know all too well the tendency towards just hesitating and observing. It’s hard to be outspoken with your ideas when there are few students who look like you. But thankfully, I volunteer with STEM Ambassadors, a group on campus dedicated towards exposing high school students from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to STEM. Within the group, I’ve found people with similar backgrounds, all of whom pursuing intensive majors and careers in science/tech, an amazing, down-to-earth advisor who is black woman armed with a PhD in chemistry, and finally, a way to build a diverse and supportive STEM community at Tufts and within the greater Boston area.
As for the young woman at that high school table creating towers out of ordinary household items, I can’t help but think that one day she won’t have to be provoked to participate in a STEM project. Rather, she’ll lead, or that other young women or students of color won’t feel the need to hold back and doubt and simply challenge themselves and succeed… And when that happens, I can promise you that the success will taste sweeter than any tower of marshmallows.