STEM Navigators - Pathways to Achievement in Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics

STEM Navigators:

Pathways to Achievement in

Science Technology Engineering & Math

STEM Navigators:

Pathways to Achievement in

Science Technology Engineering & Math

Sandra Roach

Jasmine D. Crenshaw

Lauren D. Thomas

Charmane V. Caldwell

Arielle Drummond

Anderson D. Prewitt

2016

Copyright © 2016 by Prewitt Solutions

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2015

ISBN 978-1-365-64574-7

Prewitt Solutions

5470 East Busch Blvd #401

Temple Terrace, FL  33617

www.STEMNavigators.com

Ordering Information:

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Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.

~ Margaret Mead

Contents

Definition

Introduction

What are STEM Navigators?

The Navigators

Meet Sandra Roach

Sandra’s Path

Meet Jasmine Crenshaw

Jasmine’s Path

Meet Lauren Thomas

Lauren’s Path

Meet Charmane Caldwell

Charmane’s Path

Meet Arielle Drummond

Arielle’s Path

Meet Anderson Prewitt

Anderson’s Path

THE END

References

Meet The Authors

STEM Navigators

Definition

nav·i·ga·tor

/ˈnaviˌgātər/

noun

a person who directs others through the route or course along a path to some destination, especially by using their instruments, guides, and experience.

Introduction

What are STEM Navigators?

This book is a collection of stories from people who have been successful in their respective fields of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and who all currently work as teachers, mentors, or innovators (i.e. #gamechangers) in the education of STEM to others. A combination of entrepreneurs, professors, researchers, teachers, scientists, educators and high tech talent came together to describe what it was like for them to go through the process of getting their respective degrees and to define a clear path for others who are interested in pursuing a STEM education themselves. These are the Navigators who intend to use their experiences to direct others along a path towards a STEM degree. 

Why are we writing this book?

The goal of this book is to address some of the unique challenges we all encountered while pursuing our respective degrees. The six authors all have degrees in engineering and all are currently working to have a positive impact on Science Technology Engineering and Math Education.

In this book we talk about how we individually got to where we are and some of the programs and interventions that we experienced that helped us to be successful. Additionally, we discuss in detail factors that affected our recruitment into the schools we attended and our retention in our engineering programs. What allowed us to successfully obtain our degrees? What were some aspects of these programs that didn’t work and that almost deterred us from finishing school?

We discuss the academic programs at our high schools and colleges that were helpful in our scholastic achievement and also the non-profit programs, scholarships, and fellowships that made a difference in our lives.

We go on to give real world advice and suggestions on what could be helpful to students currently pursuing a degree in a STEM field. The strategies we outline could be useful for colleges and universities interested in finding ways to engage students pursuing technical degrees.

In conceptualizing this book all of the authors answered three basic questions that give insight to the themes that are addressed in this work:

1-Why did you choose a STEM Major?

We all chose STEM Majors for various reasons including:

Seeing engineering as an opportunity to have fun, be creative, and learn how the world operated with science.

Having family members and teachers engaged us in STEM activities at an early age

Always liking math & science

Enjoying the problem solving process and the idea of creating something from nothing

Enjoying the challenge of science

2-What did you like most about getting a STEM Education?

Some of the things we all enjoyed about getting a STEM degree included:

Feeling it offered flexibility in terms of career options

Working with diverse groups of people

The challenge of solving problems.

3-What did you like least about getting a STEM Education?

The things we all didn’t like about getting a STEM degree included:

Often recruiters for employers and companies seemed to limit a student’s capabilities based on their major.

The lack of African Americans and females in technical classes and research consortiums.

Most of the professors that taught engineering courses were not good teachers of engineering. They were smart people, but they lacked the ability to engage students.

What’s the goal of this book?

After sharing all of our stories a lot of similarities emerged. The quote that best exemplifies why we all felt this book should be written is probably the following:

Attaining a STEM Education has been one of the most important choices I've made in my life.  It allows me to look at the world in a different way.  When I'm approached with situations or problems, I automatically go into scientific method mode. I believe every problem has a solution!

– Sandra

Our goal is that every student who wants to will have the chance to feel that same way!

The Navigators

Meet Sandra Roach

Sandra Roach is an avid motivator.  She believes the greatest gift you can give people is the gift of options.  With over a decade of instructional, management and tutoring experience, Roach is passionate about educating others and providing opportunities to foster growth.  Her STEM background has been instrumental in the success of her roles as author, educator, life coach and entrepreneur.  Coach Roach facilitates workshops on effective goal setting, test preparation, and career development.  She is committed to lifelong learning and inspiring others to Set Goals & Get Results.

Sandra’s Path

The words Electrical Engineer sounds so cool and smart, right?  I wish that I could say I always knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.  Quite frankly, if you asked me that question as a little girl, my response would be quite different.  I wanted to be a teacher.  I had lots of practice with my younger siblings.  I enjoyed standing in front of the pretend classroom, creating assignments, grading them, and placing little smiley faces on my student’s work to signify a job well done.  I even went as far as to join Florida Future Educators of America (FFEA) in the sixth grade.  I volunteered to help kindergarteners learn how to read at the local elementary school.  Yes, I was going to be the best teacher ever!  So I thought.

I wouldn’t do my STEM journey justice, if I didn’t start at the beginning.  You’ve heard the saying, It’s not about the destination, but the journey.  Well, I agree.  It all began in the beautiful islands of the Bahamas.  No really, I’m being serious .  My parents of Haitian descent lived in the Bahamas.  That is where I attained my primary education.  All I actually remember is the beautiful weather, uniforms, and the rulers used for discipline if any student got out of line.  Once I got to the fifth grade, my parents informed me and my three sisters that we would be moving to the States.  We had previously spent our summers in Miami, but this time we were not coming back home.  Florida would be our new home.  Sadly, my siblings and I weren’t allowed to tell our friends that we were moving. 

Like any child, I didn’t want to leave my friends behind.  Why were we leaving behind our home?  My parents said we were moving to the US for better opportunities relating to freedoms and especially education.  I knew moving to the states would be different so I decided to prepare to the best of my ability.  I attempted to learn cursive and asked