Reinvented Magazine Issue No. 9

REINVENTED FALL 2021

ISSUE 09

MAKING AND MAKING WAVES Xyla Foxlin, Ruth Amos, Becky Stern, and Estefannie: Four Female Pioneers Transforming Technology

Team Credits EDITOR IN CHIEF Caeley Looney

WRITING Officer: Aparna Rajesh Director: Meghana Krishna Director: Emily Miller

Aysia Torres Grace Pfohl Isabel Powell Luyang Zhang Madeleine Bloomer Madeline Day Rachel Lynn Mason Sona Popat Zhao Gu Gammage

MARKETING Director: Anjali Cherukuri Director: Ayushi Kumar Director: Kaitlyn Davey Director: Varija Mehta Manager: Anika Garg Manager: Emma Fedewa Manager: Kristina Lian Amelie Tran Ella Sunghyun Kang Hansa Sree Karen Velderrain-Lopez Leah Marie Baluyot Sanjita Maram Shakaani Nasankar Shamailah Haque

VOLUNTEERS DEVELOPMENT CDO: Rachel Weeks Amy Zheng Avantika Samanta Nandini Goyal Palak Mehta

SPECIAL THANKS Andrew Dupuis Carla Sinclair James Cornett Jen Jones Karen Peterson Ruthe Farmer Sherry Huss Xyla Foxlin

Manager: Allison Maurice Manager: Sravya Nagalakunta Ananya Balaji Andrea Lawrence Chantelle Faria Estrella Popoca Hamida Khatri Jacleen Nardiello Jessica Paul Krisha Khandelwal Madeline Estey Miranda Liu Natasha Matta Nirmiti Nerkar Priti Sharma Riya Patel Sareena Patel Taylor Kohnow

GUEST WRITERS Julia Novick Wicked Makers

page 2 | Team Credits

FINANCE Charlotte Picardo Niyati Patel Risha Bhat

PUBLISHING Officer: Laura Peckyno Laurel Ferguson Patricia Mercado Sandy Zhang

OPERATIONS COO: Aly Trevino COO: Renee Becker-Blau Director: Aashni Patel Director: Crystal Huynh Director: Divya Sharma Director: Kendall Hoes Director: Snigdha Saha Manager: Erika Torkildsen Aisha Lawrey Ambrosia Ingoglia Amanda Sherman Claire Carvalho Devon Langley Erin Mitchell Maesen Silva Sharafa Mohammed Shayna Weinstein Vasundhara Bagchi

ASK GLORIA Gloria Kimbwala

CREATIVE CCO: Avika Patel Director: Aditi Shinde Director: Alice Liu Director: Christine Ao Director: Megan Jacob Manager: Niamh Murphy Manager: Sarah Bargfrede Amy Loveless Anna Below Anoushka Shrivastava Caroline Dinh Faith Lam Jada Hunter Hays Jolie Miller Joyce Zhao Lisa Lam Lynn Nguyen Maria Fernanda Sagastume Nithya Guduri Reyna Morales Lumagui Rimi Chakravarti Vrinda Bansal

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r e Lett Editor E FROM TH

Hey Readers!

This is definitely a special issue for me for a whole myriad of reasons. For starters, back in May, we officially celebrated Reinvented Inc.’s two-year anniversary. That means that this issue is the first issue to come out in year three of this magazine printing!

Honestly, I never thought that my seemingly small complaint about the lack of women in STEM magazines would end up turning into the best part of my life, but I wouldn’t trade this magazine for anything in the world -and all of you are a huge part of why I love it so much.

The support all of you have shown me, this magazine, and everything in between has been out of this world, and I am grateful every single day for the tremendous love you’ve shown Reinvented.

Secondly, this issue features some of my greatest role models. I’m talking about the most badass bunch of ladies I’ve ever had the honor of knowing. I often tell young girls, parents, and teachers to let themselves or their kids make and break and make and break again, but the women featured on this issue’s cover take that sentiment to a whole new level. They are known for their ability to create crazy, wild, and incredible projects from scratch. They never shy away from a challenge; honestly, it’s probably more like they welcome each and every challenge someone presents them, and they always prove to their followers that when you give girls courage and some power tools, they can take over the world.

I spent a great deal of time this summer reconnecting with my love for making and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. I built an origami kayak, hover bumper cars, a plant Ferris wheel, a smart mirror, and so much more.

My goal through all of it was to try and learn something new with every project I took on and have as much fun as possible while doing it. I’m pretty confident in being able to say that I succeeded. Making has not only given me a new outlet for relaxing and connecting more with myself, but it has also been the time of my life building cool things I never would’ve thought I could.

But honestly, my courage to take on these projects and do new things came from makers like Estefannie, Ruth, Becky, and Xyla. I hope that after you read their stories and hear about all of the cool things they’ve made, each of you have the courage to pick up a power tool and make your own cool projects (and maybe start with the smart mirror we have a tutorial for in the back of this issue)!

To Infinity & Beyond, Caeley Looney

Letter From the Editor | page 3

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Table

Contents

of

7

Back to School Prep

Everyday Changemakers

17

Intro to Crypto

27

Inspiration4

App Development 101

31

COVER STORY

Making and Making Waves

39 43 37

STEM & Social Justice

48

DIY: Smart Mirror

52

GET FEATURED 1. Take a photo with your magazine copy 2. Post it on your social media 3. tag us @reinventedmagazine

#sharey ourpics

pg. # 8-9 10 - 11 12 - 13 14 - 15

Section Contents Open Letter to the Class of 2021 Resume Building Back to School Style Dorm Room/Desk Decor

Letter to the Class of 2021 To the Graduated

Class of 2021,

For the longest tim e, 2021 didn’t feel

real.

As a teen of the twenty-teens, I ne ver prepared for a year past twen ty. I regarded th e realm of 2021 an alien planet; as science fiction of th e fa r future. A foggy mirage in a crystal ball, a vi ne that went vira in 2014 (what’s l 9+10?)—a punchl ine, a joke, but here we are.

I know we’re in to math at Rein vented. I know not the only one I’m who rolled my ey es at that ancien vine back when t everyone was re ferencing it in sixth grade. But maybe our year being a punchlin pays off in the lo e ng run, because who isn’t in need of a laugh right now?

We deserve a la ugh—you deserv e a laugh. ur explore yo to s n la p d scrappe pieced f you who you who f o e s o th To those o year, of you eges last tion, those la o is in dream coll s our on ying that y r applicati a u r o p y y a r e d y th r e tog h. To Board eve rve a laug ed College e k s e c e d h c u o o y h w celled: ar, who wasn’t can ers this ye d a le b lu SAT exam c came e teams ou who be and scienc s r e p a those of y p s w oom ne nels and Z er school n a th e h g c to k c la ld he rough S societies th r o n o h d n a ugh. eserve a la calls: you d

page 8 | Open Letter to the Class of 2021

vised exams in pajamas or impro To those of you who took AP the to those of you who made prom in your backyards; stayed oom and those of you who transition back to the classr or off to college or a gap year virtual all year; to those of you gh. lau orce—all of you deserve a vocational school or the workf the l world takes you, I wish you Wherever the post-high-schoo the best of luck. deepest congratulations and

This fall, I’ll be pursuing a new major at my university that bridge s computer science and the arts immersive digital experiences. to create Think augmented and virtual rea lity. Writing this, I’m realizing how is—after 2020, why would anyone ironic it wish for a virtual reality?—but the pas t yea r has grateful I am for this virtual wor made me realize how ld. Eager as I am to attend colleg e in person, I’m grateful for the that technology has provided: to accessibility learn and grow outside of high school’s prying eyes and to ent couldn’t have participated in bef er spaces I ore, thanks to the internet.

I am grateful to have come of age in 2021. It was by no means an ideal finale, but it was at least one adaptation is normal, and norma where lcy, whatever that means now, is tangible. (Not to mention, my inte major program officially starts nded the semester I start college—if I’d graduated a few years earlier, I missed that dream!) would have Although my college orientation this summer was online, my fall semester will be fully in-person the vaccine—lectures, roommate thanks to s, and all. Many of you are in the same situation. But for those who connecting even virtually with futu aren’t, re classmates has provided a stro nger sense of community than year of high school did for me the past . I know I lucked out a bit the re—going to a state school, I reconnecting with friends I kne ended up w previously, while many of you will venture into a campus of stra know you know how to make the ngers. But I most of these Patio group chats and Discord servers as a safer experience awaits. college There’s no question that the wor ld we are reentering has change d from the one we first locked into, and not just in terms of tech ourselves nology and fancy new college pro grams. This is a new world, and shaping it. May this new 2021 pre you are sent you fresh opportunities and dreams.

And laughs. What I’m looking forward to most about this upc oming semester is laughter—in laughter unmuffled by muted mic particular, rophones or telephone static or shabby wi-fi.

Friends, we’re the Class of ‘21.

We were the punchline of so ma ny jokes, what, six or seven yea seemed cringeworthy at the tim rs ago? It e, but cringeworthy is okay. Let’s own it. Let’s bring back that energy.

Let’s all find something to laugh about this year—we deserve it.

Cheers, A Fellow Member of the Class of 2021

Open Letter to the Class of 2021 | page 9

AB

e d i u G s ’ r e n n egi

NN MASON BY: RACHEL LY

How Resumes Can Be Powerful Tools A resume, often the first thing that a recruiter, admissions officer, or potential employer sees, is a vital conduit to exciting opportunities. Even if you aren’t currently applying for a job, you will find that resumes are a convenient tool to keep track of your accomplishments and network.

Gathering Experience To build a resume, students can volunteer, work part-time, or hold leadership positions in clubs or organizations.

Professionals can pursue a higher level of education and gain work experience in industry. Technical skills, particularly those directly relevant to your career, are important to include when they enhance your resume’s theme. Having a theme in a resume is recommended to demonstrate commitment to a purpose and highlight perseverance, focus, and dedication.

Design the Resume Document There are useful resume templates available on the internet, which you can plug your information into as a way to save time while still creating an effective resume. Searching the internet for a resume template for your specific job can give you access to formats that make sense for your position. If applying for an engineering position, searching “engineer resumes” can provide helpful inspiration. If you have ample time, it can be helpful to use examples from the internet as guidance when making your resume from scratch.

Recruiters reportedly spend an average of 7.4 seconds looking at a resume, so the document needs to convey your message efficiently. page 10 | Resume Building

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when building a resume format: Tip 1: Graphics and Organization: A simple, crisp format is generally the way to go.

Unless you are applying for a position that requires design skills or is in a creative industry, your resume does not need to be extravagant - it just needs to convey the necessary information.

Utilizing some basic principles of graphic design is crucial. Simple fonts like Arial and Times New Roman are best, and bolding the font or using dividing lines to distinguish different sections of your resume and make the document easy to digest. Changing the size of a few pieces of key information, like your name and contact information (phone number, email, and LinkedIn), can help recruiters remember you. Additionally, solid lines are beneficial for dividing categories like work experience, education, and volunteering because they take up less room than blank lines.

Avoid solid walls of text because they make the resume harder to skim and less likely to be read.

Remember to use bullet points as often as possible and short phrases to keep things concise.

Lastly, your resume should be organized in a logical format. Similar items, like education, previous jobs, or volunteer experience, can be grouped separately and each grouping should be in chronological order, starting with the most recent position.

to R

g n i d l i u B e m e su

Tip 2: Content to Include and How to Present it It’s important to understand what content needs to be featured in your resume and how to highlight your best qualities. A good rule of thumb is to focus on experiences from the last five years.

Young professionals and students may not have a lot of work experience, but you can emphasize up to three relevant or specialized courses taken in college and your educational certificates and degrees. If you are interested in Science Communication, for example, it can be helpful to mention the bioethics courses you completed.

Knowing which keywords to include can make your resume more compelling. Companies have begun using resume-scanning software to weed out candidates. Including the right words, especially those mentioned in the job description, can take your resume past the screening stage. Additionally, action words like “spearheaded,” “mentored,” and “analyzed” can highlight why an experience makes you a qualified candidate.

The most important things to highlight in your resume, however, are the metrics and quantifiable results behind each accomplishment.

Tip 3: Other Important Details A resume should be concise, easy to skim, and low on fluff. Professionals should keep resumes to one to two pages to ensure that they’re succinct, and they should always be sent as a PDF. Additionally, it’s important to proofread. Typos are a red flag because they show a lack of attention to detail, and proofreading can prevent these while also ensuring the resume conveys your skills and experiences effectively. To confirm your resume is logical and easy to read, it can be helpful to have a trusted peer or mentor read over it and provide feedback.

W h a t

N o w ?

Now is the time to prepare a resume! Even if you don’t have an interview coming up, resumes are always important to have on hand.

A carefully crafted resume will empower you in your journey to achieve your dreams, so take the time to make yours as compelling as you are!

Resume Building | page 11

fall f

fashion

to

All

BY: ISABEL POWELL

for

GALAXY MOUSEPAD

COFFEE T-SHIRT

cosmic clothing shop

MARS SWEATSHIRT

Back-to-school shopping can be both exciting and intimidating. If you’re eager to make a good impression and cultivate your personal style, it is important to find outfits that reflect your interests and personality. For some women in STEM, however, it can be difficult to find the feminine, yet subtly nerdy fashion they desire. Fortunately, several brands have begun to combine science and fashion so that no woman has to choose between being stylish and expressing her love for science.

Cosmic Clothing Shop ($$) is a small, Arizona-based, family-owned store that features space, exploration, and sciencethemed apparel and accessories. They encourage shoppers to reach beyond Earth with their Explore Mars crop sweatshirt and Hotter Than Venus t-shirt and to appreciate the powerhouse of the cell with their Fueled by Mitochondria and Coffee t-shirt. For space-lovers in need of a desk upgrade, Cosmic Clothing’s galaxy agate mouse pad is sure to stun. page 12 | Fall Fashion

MOON PHASES PANTS

MELATONIN PJ PANTS

svaha

Svaha Apparel ($-$$) was founded by Jaya Iyer when she was unable to find any astronaut-themed clothing for her young daughter, an avid space enthusiast. What started as a desire to nurture her daughter’s interest in STEM quickly morphed into a popular brand that creates socially responsible and scientifically informed clothing for children and adults alike.

From the refined Crescent Moon necklace with an embedded meteorite, to the hilarious Melatonin Molecule pajama pants, and the more casual Moon Phases Glow-in-the-Dark lounge pants, Svaha has an outfit for every occasion.

HEDY LEMARR DRESS

ILLUMISCARF

HEDY LEMARR DRESS

shenova

casion c o y r eve

TEDIGRANDE MASK

a design for

SEROTONIN NECKLACE

Shenova ($$$) is an upscale fashion company dedicated to making women in STEM look amazing and powerful. Shenova’s creations are more than just pieces of cloth; the designs, including the interactive particle physics dress with LED and IBM Bluemix, employ scientific innovation and design. The particle physics dress combines vintage and futuristic elements with a feminine, laced corset in the back and LED lights that change with your heart rate on the front. Shenova’s innovative products, like the “Illumiscarf,” a fleece, LED constellation scarf that lights up the night, can be worn casually or to brighten up an outfit. Epitomizing the convergence between science and femininity, Shenova created this Hedy Lamarr dress to celebrate the woman whose inventions led to the creation of WiFi. Those looking for simpler, pandemic-friendly designs can try this stylish antibody face mask. All of these designs are sure to be show-stopping and jaw-dropping.

Aside from these companies, several smaller designers also create a wide variety of empowering (or simply hilarious) STEM apparel. On Etsy ($-$$), you can find face masks featuring everyone’s favorite indestructible micro-animal, the tardigrade, or Mean Girls-themed “On Wednesdays We Code” sweatshirts. For more delicate accessories, MinniesPrettyThings designed a beautiful Serotonin Flower Molecule necklace, bracelet, and ring for biochemistry lovers, and Diana the Latina Engineer created an elegant gear necklace for mechanical engineers. For those of us who love puns, Oxtee Designs’ “Girls just wanna have fun(ding for scientific research)” t-shirt on Redbubble is a must-have, along with Diana the Latina Engineer’s “F=maLE” shirt.

All these designs, from the casual lounge pants to the more sophisticated gowns, aim to empower and normalize women in STEM, allowing beautiful and intelligent women to embrace their femininity while shattering stereotypes. Add them to your back-to-school list, and you’re sure to radiate confidence (and possibly LED light…) every step of the way.

Fall Fashion | page 13

Introduction to Plant Decor BY: LUYANG ZHANG Human civilization’s love letter to houseplants is a long one. Decorative potted plants were depicted in early Greek and Roman paintings and sculptures, and ancient Egyptian, Indian, and Chinese courtyards were often filled with greenery.

Their presence throughout art and culture has given them a significance beyond what meets the eye. Plants have become symbols, from roses for love, bamboo for longevity, and olive branches for peace.

According to some scholars, our affinity for leafy companions can’t simply be chalked up to chance. Social psychologist Erich Fromm introduced the Biophilia Hypothesis, which suggests that humans are innately drawn to nature. This concept was the precursor to modern ideas about the importance of architecture that incorporates natural building elements and sunlight.

And maybe there’s a reason for this intrinsic connection — as it turns out, adding a splash of greenery to your workspace provides health and aesthetic benefits. In a study with 23 elementary school participants, the presence of plants was associated with greater concentration and attentiveness in brain scans, while plastic plants and images of plants failed to elicit the same effect. A study from 1996 pointed to a decrease in blood pressure and a 12% increase in reaction time during a computer task when test subjects were near plants. These mental health benefits are being harnessed in a growing branch of therapeutics known as horticultural therapy, in which a trained therapist facilitates patient exposure to garden settings to promote mental wellness in those with anxiety, depression, dementia, and more.

page 14 | Introduction to Plant Decor

It’s also possible plants play a role in filtering out air pollutants, though studies conflict on the significance of their impact. To examine their efficacy at removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air, NASA designed the BioHome in the 1980s. The BioHome consisted of a tightly sealed building with walls covered in common household plants. The study later found plants helped to reduce the negative health symptoms associated with high levels of VOCs. However, further studies from other sources suggest these models are not realistic representations of VOC levels or plant quantities in normal homes and greatly exaggerate the true value of plants as air filters. Even so, it’s probably worthwhile to bring a plant into your office — after all, much of science and history agrees humans and plants are meant to be!

If you’re intimidated by the prospect of becoming a plant parent, know that caring for a plant doesn’t always require a green thumb! Often, just determining the amount of sunlight and water you can provide your plants is half of the battle. Here are some popular indoor plants to consider adding to your workspaces:

Tillandsia If the idea of soil in your work space doesn’t sit well with you, consider taking care of a Tillandsia, also known as an air plant! The 500 different species of tillandsia naturally grow by clinging to trees and rely on moisture from the air (they don’t require dirt at all). These plants love bright light and should be misted with water two to four times a week.

African Violet Are you a flower lover? The African Violet’s blossoms may be perfect for you!

This popular houseplant enjoys bright, warm, humid conditions and will grow best when its dead leaves are regularly removed. They are compact and perfect for small spaces. While they are most well known for their striking purple hues, the African Violet comes in several color variations.

English Ivy The English Ivy is all graceful creeping leaves, perfect to create a trail of green where you work! This plant enjoys medium sunlight, light watering, and moist, cooler weather. It doesn’t require much attention to become an aggressive grower, so it’s perfect for larger spaces.

The plant may require occasional pruning to keep its growth in check. Be warned — if you are a pet owner, many species of English Ivy are toxic to dogs and cats.

Succulents Succulents are an office classic — the majority of species can survive on irregular watering, meaning they are an excellent choice for a low maintenance addition to most any space. They come in a large array of shapes and sizes and generally require direct sunlight and soil that drains well.

THE OPTIONS AND POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS WHEN IT COMES TO PLANTS, SO GIVE SOME GREENERY A CHANCE, AND TRY YOUR HAND AT SOME REDECORATING! Introduction to Plant Decor | page 15

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RACHEL WEEKS Rachel Weeks

Space Coast Native, Systems Test Engineer, and Steminist

BY: MADELINE DAY

Not many people can say that they’ve watched space shuttle launches from their backyard, but Rachel Weeks can. Having grown up in Orlando, Florida, Weeks has been within the viewing distance of the Space Coast, an area that consists of both the Kennedy Space Station and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, for her entire life. She believes that her proximity to the Space Coast, along with her love for sci-fi movies, is what “made [her] interested in space.” Today, Weeks channels her passion for space through her job as a systems test engineer at United Launch Alliance (ULA), where she works on launching spacecraft like the Mars Perseverance rover and Boeing’s Starliner capsule, among many other missions.

From English to Engineering: Weeks’ Experience as a Woman in STEM While she was “relatively good at math and physics in high school,” the idea of becoming an engineer was far-fetched in her mind. Weeks actually had a strong interest in English—she “loved to analyze literature and read Shakespeare or Jane Austen.” In a surprising twist of fate, her high school English teacher actually advised her to go into STEM. Because Weeks was “adept at both math and physics and english,” her teacher suggested engineering, a field where writing is used to define procedures and physics and math are needed for technicalities.

Armed with newfound courage to go into an unfamiliar field, Weeks attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, majoring in Aerospace Engineering. It was a “very up and coming industry, one [she] knew [she] would not go wrong with.” However, because her institution was seventy-five percent male, it was at times intimidating, especially when she “was the only girl in class.” Outside of class, sharing the experience of being in a male-dominated sector gave Weeks the opportunity to bond with other women. She joined her university’s chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, which “helped her become the leader she is today.” With the experience she gained in college, Weeks was wellequipped to pursue higher education and start her career. page 18 | Rachel Weeks

After graduating and starting full-time at ULA, she earned a Master’s Degree in Space Systems Engineering from Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Her experience in college aided her transition into the aerospace industry, which is similarly male-dominated. Week's best piece of advice?

“To be vocal about [being a woman in STEM], to stand your ground and speak up.” When working professionally, there are times when coworkers may underestimate her skills, which Weeks responds to by firmly making her point. Most of the time, through communication, issues can be resolved.

The past year, Weeks had to work while navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, which was challenging but fulfilling in return. The nature of her work involves on-site activity, which was limited during the pandemic, decreasing the size of her team. Still, she worked successfully on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover, “one of [her] most rewarding missions.”

Witnessing the publicity and “knowing that [she] helped launch it” triumphed over the practical challenges, such as maintaining safety during lifting operations or adhering to contamination protocol, that Weeks had to overcome. She hopes that her work will impact the future, not just in terms of scientific advancements, but also in terms of representation in STEM.

Weeks' best piece of advice?

To be vocal about [being a woman in STEM], to stand your ground and speak up.

future Engineer What Does a Systems Test Engineer Do? Weeks works at United Launch Alliance, an aerospace company based in Cape Canaveral. As a systems test engineer for the company, she partners with ULA’s customers, such as the U.S. Space Force and NASA, to prepare spacecraft for launch. Weeks collaborates daily with a team of ten to fifteen technicians to complete an assigned task, typically the assembly of the launch vehicle’s payload fairing. Using engineering diagrams, she directs the technicians to bring designs of the payload fairing, “the top of a rocket that encapsulates the satellite,” to reality. While analyzing diagrams, she always asks herself, “how do I take this drawing and make it into something that can be performed in real life?” Through creating instructions, “working with hardware, working with tools, and managing the technicians,” Weeks and her team piece the designs together part by part. She finds that her love for writing helps her communicate with her team when she has to develop “written procedure[s] of tasks and ensure that instructions are clear.”

Journey with Reinvented When Weeks moved to a new area of Florida, starting a new job, she “didn’t know anyone.” Wanting to develop a hobby outside of work, she joined Reinvented during the first issue, which she says “feels like yesterday.” She “loves working with organizations” and naturally gravitated towards the magazine’s message of amplifying female voices in STEM. Through her work with Reinvented, she has found a community of other women. “It’s nice to see others with similar experiences try to accomplish the same mission.”

Having served as the newsletter editor, Chief Marketing Officer, and currently the Chief Development Officer, Weeks has been a driving force in the magazine’s expansion. She reflects, “it’s crazy to witness how Reinvented has grown” and is constantly inspired by the entire team, especially the high schoolers and younger members.

In the future, Weeks hopes to become more involved with “public speaking and presentation opportunities,” reaching out to schools and communities to promote the STEM field.

A constant learner, Weeks also suggested the idea of obtaining a Ph.D. “Who knows?” One goal, however, is clear.

Weeks says that she “will always have that mission to lift other women up” and hopes to do so for as long as she can.

Rachel Weeks | page 19

n i r a t A S Her Own Right: Dr. Stella Kafka

BY: ISABEL POWELL Dr. Stella Kafka, a spirited astronomer and physicist from Greece, has revolutionized the way the scientific community views social and academic issues - both here on Earth and millions of light-years away.

Dr. Kafka began her undergraduate education with a degree in physics at the University of Athens and earned her doctorate in astronomy at Indiana University. After receiving her Ph.D., she began researching astrobiology in an observatory in Chile and later at the California Institute of Technology. She eventually moved to the Carnegie Institution and later settled as Director of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), an organization dedicated to collecting and applying data from amateur and professional astronomers. No matter where she was in the world, she found herself captivated by the same beautiful sky.

Upon her arrival at the AAVSO, Dr. Kafka was struck by the homogeneity of its members. With 92% of the contributors being straight white men, the organization was “doing 21st-century science, but had many attitudes and habits that were trapped in the 20th century.”

page 20 | Dr. Stella Kafka

In her first six years as Director, Dr. Kafka transformed the AAVSO’s traditional atmosphere into a more modern and inclusive environment.

She reinvented the organization by implementing an ambassador program, improving accessibility to online resources, and actively recruiting and engaging underrepresented groups. Dr. Kafka’s ambassadors infused the AAVSO with a youthful, vibrant energy and fostered participation from a variety of countries, ethnic backgrounds, and orientations. The organization’s webinars now feature subtitles and will soon have Spanish alternatives to increase accessibility. Dr. Kafka also developed a double-blind refereed journal aiming to remove intrinsic biases and allow for merit-based evaluation of academic reports, an idea that is currently being emulated by many major scientific journals. She implemented these changes to “push [the AAVSO] into a new century” and “build a community of individuals who love the night sky, including both professional and amateur astronomers, all working to understand the most dynamic, crazy, and unpredictable phenomena in the universe.”

Diversity has been an important part of the reinvention of the AAVSO because of Dr. Kafka’s firm belief in the power of astronomy to unite people. “We are all under the same sky. The sky has no borders. So all the fighting and differences that separate us on Earth do not exist in the night sky. Astronomy is unifying. It’s international. We are better because we learn together. Each of us brings our experiences, backgrounds, preparations, and cultures, and we try to explore the universe together,” Dr. Kafka notes.

"We are all under the same sky. The sky has no borders"

Although she boasts an impressive resume, Dr. Kafka believes her greatest accomplishments still lie ahead of her and will likely involve expanding the AAVSO’s reach to a larger demographic.

She hopes the AAVSO, along with the scientific community as a whole, will eventually require fewer conversations about diversity and inclusion because the norm will have changed.

“I hope to walk into a conference and see 50% women, 50% men, and 50% [groups who are currently considered] minorities and think of that as normal,” she says. Such a vision is admirable, and, as Dr. Kafka has already begun to prove, attainable.

Dr. Kafka’s profound love of astronomy radiates like Proxima Centauri’s solar flares. She is not only fascinated by scientific discoveries and exploration but genuinely believes in the power of astronomy to bring people closer together. She notes, “astronomy brings perspective. It’s all about where we are in the universe and who we are. We live on a rock around a 5.5 billionyear-old star that is nothing really special. And we will live for 100 years. ‘Look at me; I’m important because I have a Gucci purse.’ No. Astronomy provides you with perspective on your place in the universe and where you belong. Astronomy provides a sense of humility.” Thinking about how immeasurable and undiscovered the universe is allows us to realize how close and interconnected we all are, she adds.

Dr. Kafka may just be one human on a 5.5 billion-year-old rock, orbiting a not-too-special star in a vast and unknown universe.

But, to those lucky enough to meet her, she is exceptional.

Dr. Stella Kafka | page 21

’

You Can t Be

’

What You Can t See: Beatris Mendez Gandica on Role Models BY: MEGHANA KRISHNA

Beatris (Bea) Mendez Gandica has always been curious about the way things work. As a little girl, she was especially fascinated by computers.

“I was intrigued by how such small devices could hold so much information,” Bea recalls.

Though she would spend hours reading about science and technology online, Bea didn’t discover the field of computer science until she went to college. Her introduction to the subject changed her life. To redress the lack of STEM exposure she faced growing up, Bea launched the Nuevo Foundation in 2017.

The Nuevo Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring kids to be curious, confident, and courageous by discovering the world of STEM. Nuevo offers a range of coding workshops geared towards students of various ages and backgrounds. Curricula are designed by Nuevo team of volunteers and span several programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, C#, and more.

Workshops include hands-on activities aimed to inspire, engage, and provide unique outlets for creativity. The foundation also launched a speaker series, where guest speakers and members of the Nuevo team share their experiences and advice with students around the world.

One of our goals is to show kids that anyone can code,” says Bea. “I asked myself, ‘how can we help kids underrepresented in any way, regardless of their race, gender, or religion?’” Bea recalls. “I wanted more kids to learn about this thing called computer science that can help them get ahead. I didn’t have that exposure growing up.”

page 22 | Beatris Mendez Gandica

Gandica's Nuevo Foundation has already reached over 10,000 children globally

According to Bea, the organization’s greatest success has been instilling confidence and hope in underrepresented students.

“There are a lot of great resources out there already that can help kids learn to code,” notes Bea. “But one of the most unique and important things students gain through the Nuevo Foundation is exposure to successful role models in STEM careers. A lot of kids aren’t aware of the benefits of a career in STEM, so they won’t invest the time necessary for personal or professional growth. I sincerely believe you can’t be what you can’t see. At Nuevo we’re working on solving that problem.

Today, the Nuevo Foundation’s efforts have already reached over 10,000 children globally. Furthermore, Bea has a team of over 300 volunteers who help manage and write curricula for the student coding workshops. Bea is focused on establishing partnerships with schools and expanding the accessibility of the workshops. On top of her full-time program manager role at Microsoft, Bea invests up to thirty hours a week into Nuevo.

A lot of kids aren't aware of the benefits of a career in STEM, so they won't invest the time necessary for personal or professional growth.

It’s no easy balancing act, but seeing the impact her work has had on thousands of children makes the grind worthwhile.

“I have my 9 to 5, then my 5 to 10,” Bea laughs.

“But if I can help even one kid, that’s success to me.”

To anyone interested in pursuing a career in tech, Bea stresses the importance of discipline, perseverance, and building a strong support system.

“Growing up, I had support from my whole family to pursue my interests. That was super important because it encouraged me to keep going when I struggled,” Bea recalls. “My grandmother would always ask me to go above and beyond in school, and that discipline is something I still carry with me.”

Most importantly, she says, it’s necessary to maintain optimism in the face of challenges.

She urges everyone to remember that no one’s path is linear, and the challenges you face today can one day inspire others.

Beatris Mendez Gandica | page 23

The Genius Behind BY: ZHAO GU GAMMAGE

Glitter and From helping to develop Nestle’s chocolate milk and SC Johnson’s Glade fragrances to potential Mars landing positions for NASA, Philly G has explored a myriad of science topics. She is currently pursuing graduate research in geology at Purdue University, where she dates rocks by measuring barium ratios from the quartz inside. As a geologist and science communicator, she has adopted the name “Glitter and Geodes” on social media.

In middle school, Philly G’s father enrolled her in a minority in engineering program despite her initial reluctance. When asked to work on a project about her favorite scientist, Philly chose Mae Jemison at her father’s request. Learning about Jemison’s career ultimately inspired her to consider becoming a scientist for the first time. In high school, she became interested in Purdue University because of its prestigious STEM programs. Additionally, she learned astronaut Neil Armstrong, one of her role models, was an alumnus. Philly applied to Purdue that fall and was accepted to the school’s College of Science.

At Purdue, Philly enrolled as a biology major while pursuing other sciences like chemistry and geology. Her first lab job involved cleaning glassware in a biology lab—and she loved it.

As she became older and more experienced, her lab work became increasingly more specialized and impactful.

“Working in a lab, you get to contribute to research that is helping to advance the field,” she says. Her desire to help people fueled her passion for research. Whether she was washing bottles or conducting experiments, she felt she was contributing to something meaningful.

Philly continued working in Purdue’s labs as an undergraduate, and continued to love her work. She ended up graduating with a bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Science focusing on Earth and Atmospheric Science and Chemistry. After graduation, she entered the science industry to work on quality assurance for a major beverage manufacturer.

page 24 | Philly G

Geodes

In her next role, she was responsible for ensuring all technical qualifications were met for new fragrance development for a major consumer goods company. and grew to dislike working there as well. Reflecting on her industry work, Philly notes, “I couldn’t make a connection between the consumer products I was working on and the impact it had on the community.”

Yearning to return to research, she decided to head back to school for a master’s degree.

Having disliked working as a chemist in industry, Philly chose to return to school for geology because of her interest in earth science. “You have to make these personal connections in earth science and geology prior to applying. There’s a ton of competition, but there’s a ton of people willing to work with you,” she advises.

Philly was accepted into an Environmental Science master’s program at the University of Virginia. While completing her degree, she interned at NASA’s Langley Research Center, where she used a GPS to digitize locations for proposed human landing sites on Mars. After graduation, Philly was hired by Purdue University, where she had originally earned her bachelor’s degree. Philly knew she wanted to stay in academia and was excited to return to research: “I love the idea of being able to conduct research that I know has an immediate impact.”

Now working full-time as a researcher in Purdue’s geology department, Philly analyzes rocks, using her knowledge of chemistry, geology, and earth science, to distill quartz from specimens and distil barium from the quartz. She compares ratios of the different types of barium inside to determine the age of the rock.

“I love the idea of being able to conduct research that I know has an immediate impact.”

While working at Purdue, Philly realized that her field lacked diversity, both in gender and race; this observation inspired her to become a science communicator. She was always interested in educating the general public about science, so starting “Glitter and Geodes” was a logical pursuit. She aims “Glitter and Geodes” at children of minority backgrounds to peak their interest in science, particularly in more nuanced fields like geology.

On Glitter and Geodes, Philly releases short videos showing days in her life. She hopes her videos can help break down the misconception that one must be a genius to become a scientist.

She hopes her videos allow people to see that scientists aren’t that different from everyone else, explaining that “we have this idea that scientists are super smart people, but the only thing that separates us from other people is our interests.”

When starting her social media platform, Philly knew she had to break down the stereotype of what scientists look like as well. By putting herself on social media, she aims to expose children with minority backgrounds to scientists from different backgrounds and inspire those children to become scientists themselves.

As a science communicator, Philly makes science and geology more digestible and accessible. Her involvement in biology, astronomy, geology, and chemistry, as well as industry, has given her a wide range of topics to share with her viewers. She hopes to continue inspiring the next generation of scientists. “If you see someone doing science, you can be inspired to be a scientist yourself—and that’s what I want Glitter and Geodes to do.”

Philly G | page 25

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

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The buzz about cryptocurrencies is inescapable. From the meme-worthy rise

of Dogecoin to the skyrocketing value of Bitcoin, financial news seems to be dominated by these curious cryptocurrencies. Because they are such a new concept, it’s easy to feel lost on what they are and how they work. But since cryptocurrencies may change our relationship with money as we know it, they are important to understand.

What Even Are Cryptocurrencies?

Cryptocurrencies are essentially digital money. Like Pesos or Euros, they can be exchanged with other currencies like the US dollar, which is how we get an estimate of a cryptocurrency’s value. Cryptocurrency is different from normal currency because it is entirely digital, whereas conventional currency is physically generated and introduced into the economy by central banks. The “crypto” in “cryptocurrency” emphasizes the secure nature of these currencies; they are kept private by cryptography to prevent counterfeiting and other abuses.

To really understand cryptocurrencies, one needs to understand something called the blockchain. Essentially, the blockchain is a secure record of all the transactions that have taken place for a specific cryptocurrency. Every time units of a cryptocurrency are exchanged, the transaction is recorded and added to the blockchain.

“Miners,” or volunteers with access to powerful computers, add verified transactions to the blockchain in exchange for cryptocurrency. The purpose of the blockchain is to prevent individuals from using the same units of a cryptocurrency for multiple purchases. This means someone could not use the same four bitcoins to buy 3 different items that cost four bitcoins, because the blockchain will have recorded that they already used four bitcoins on the first item.

page 28 | Introduction to Cryptocurrency

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The Reason for the Hype Understanding what cryptocurrencies are and how they work is essential to exploring their benefits. They have gotten a lot of attention for being good potential investments and for offering buyers anonymity, but there are other reasons why cryptocurrencies deserve our attention. Many are excited by the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies because it could reduce the corruption that tends to come with powerful structures handling large sums of money. If cryptocurrencies are used by governments or large companies to make investments, the money spent can be tracked using the blockchain to prove indisputably that none of it was misappropriated. It provides an alternative currency that does not depend on any government, which is attractive to many people and useful in times of political and economic instability. Additionally, cryptocurrency can help increase economic opportunities for those in developing countries, as people in these nations do not always have access to banks. Cryptocurrencies can allow individuals to build credit, make investments, and participate in the global exchange in a way that may have been limited before. Lastly, cryptocurrencies remove the need for other intermediaries that charge for transactions or currency conversions.

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Currency Concerns The benefits of cryptocurrencies are certainly exciting, but they are shadowed by the essential question: are cryptocurrencies stable? Stability of currency is necessary for economic growth, and an unreliable currency, whether erroneously inflated or deflated, can cause widespread economic problems.

The price of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum has changed dramatically since they were first introduced. While this can sometimes mean huge payoffs for cryptocurrency owners, it can also mean equally significant losses.

In 2017, the volatility of cryptocurrencies became clear. The value of bitcoin increased from $900 to $20,000 over the course of the year, then crashed to less than $11,000. Much of this is because cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are still new, and thus extremely susceptible to changes in exchange rate due to factors like media criticism. Because people are unfamiliar with cryptocurrency, extremely positive or negative coverage can elicit a strong response, causing people to buy or sell their cryptocurrency units, which impacts the price. Additionally, cryptocurrencies are very scarce, meaning that there are comparatively fewer units in circulation than other currencies, which can also contribute to volatility.

Introduction to Cryptocurrency | page 29

If implemented thoughtfully and responsibly, crypto could help close global economic gaps and provide simpler economic interaction, which is why it is everybody’s job to stay informed and help this transition go smoothly.

page 30 | Introduction to Cryptocurrency

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0110100 01001001110100 11101000101101011010 100101101001101010111000 11000101110010101101010111 0100101010101110101010101001 1110001101001010101010110101110 1010010100100011010101100101010 01011101001010101001001101000101 10101011001010110101000101110010110 0010010100100101000010101111000101 00010110100101010010100101010100101 0100111110100011001010010101010010100 Despite their volatility, cryptocurrencies are becoming more pervasive every day and are likely to become more important in the economy.

Already, Paypal has started accepting payments in Bitcoin, and this trend will likely continue to other businesses with other forms of cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrencies may one day be used to buy things without any exchange to traditional currencies.

While this may seem outlandish at first, cryptocurrencies could be just the equalizer that the global economy needs. As with any new technology, the longer it exists and the more it is explored, the better we will be able to implement it. The point at which we fully integrate cryptocurrencies into the economy may be just on the horizon.

For those worried about stability, stablecoins are emerging as an exciting new avenue to access cryptocurrency. Stablecoins are a new type of cryptocurrency that uses all of the same benefits of a digital, decentralized currency, but are tethered to another market or resource like precious metals or government regulated currencies. This makes them less volatile and potentially more attractive to the average buyer. Stablecoins, in theory, reduce the financial risk associated with owning and investing in cryptocurrencies, but they have a long way to go if they are ever going to become as widespread as even Bitcoin, nevermind standard currencies.

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The Future of Cryptocurrencies

Even if a future in which cryptocurrencies become more commonplace than traditional currencies seems far away, these currencies are an interesting interaction between technology and economics that is worth exploring to a greater degree. When credit cards were first introduced in the United States, many establishments would not accept them, and they were met with a good deal of controversy. These days, they are almost universally accepted as payment and have opened entirely new marketplaces, particularly by increasing the ease of online shopping.

MAKING M N MAKING G A WAVES WVS AND

FOUR FEMALE PIONEERS TRANSFORMING TECHNOLOGY

XYLA FOXLIN, RUTH AMOS, BECKY STERN, AND ESTEFANNIE ARE REDEFINING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SCIENTIST AND ENGINEER. ALL FOUR WOMEN OPERATE YOUTUBE CHANNELS IN WHICH THEY SHARE DIY PROJECTS, ADVICE FOR ASPIRING MAKERS, AND INSPIRATION. READ MORE TO LEARN ABOUT EACH WOMAN’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE MAKER SPACE, AS WELL AS HER HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY. BY: MEGHANA KRISHNA

32 | Making and Making Waves

RUTH AMOS British entrepreneur, engineer, and YouTuber Ruth Amos is changing the way kids engage with science and engineering. Cofounder of the YouTube channel Kids Invent Stuff, Ruth is on a mission to empower kids through creative expression. Every month, kids between the ages of four and eleven can submit their wildest, most out-of-the-box invention ideas to the channel in hopes of seeing them come to life. “We’re looking for ideas that an adult would hear and think, ‘why on earth would you build that?’” Ruth says. “It’s all about celebrating the ingenuity of kids.”

Submissions have included concepts for gravity racers, motorized magic carpets, and popcorn-firing doorbells. For Ruth and channel co-host and cofounder Shawn Brown, there’s no such thing as too big or too crazy. One of the channel’s most popular videos walks viewers through the design and implementation of a massive Rube Goldberg machine. With unusual features like unicorns on swings and pigs on skateboards, the Rube Goldberg machine drew inspiration from thousands of submissions. “It took us seventy-four attempts to get everything running smoothly. It was the most souldestroying thing,” Ruth laughs.

Kids love when things get messy, says Ruth, and the more ambitious a project is, the more kids can draw inspiration.

@ruthamos Kids Invent Stuff

Ruth’s motive to launch Kids Invent Stuff was deeply personal: “I nearly missed out on a career I loved because I didn’t know much about engineering, and I never saw people who looked like me in the field.”

Research has shown that girls often decide what careers they are capable of succeeding in earlier than boys do. According to Ruth, much of the encouragement for women to engage in STEM comes too late. “We realized that kids, both boys and girls, needed to be kept engaged in primary school,” notes Ruth. “You have to treat it like a funnel. Kids Invent Stuff is a way for young people to learn about engineering in an exciting, ageappropriate manner.”

“But if I share my knowledge and experience with others, the possibilities are limitless.”

For Ruth, the most rewarding aspect of running her channel is seeing young people, particularly girls, get excited about making. “If I was to just focus on my own inventions instead of running this channel, I may end up creating a handful of things in my life,” says Ruth. “But if I share my knowledge and experience with others, the possibilities are limitless.”

Making and Making Waves | 33

BECKY STERN Self-described creative technologist Becky Stern is blurring the lines between traditional crafts and contemporary technology. The New York City-based DIY guru has authored hundreds of tutorials on everything from wearable electronics to microcontrollers.

As a child, Becky was curious and crafty; after learning how to sew at the age of eight, she began creating copies of some of her favorite Beanie Babies, using buttons for eyes and dried beans as filling. Later, as a teenager, she developed an interest in fashion and started sewing her own bags and purses. “I modded clothes I bought from the thrift store to create my own wacky style; I thought mixing plaids was so cool,” Becky laughs.

Becky enrolled in a design and technology program at Parsons School of Design after high school with dreams of becoming a fashion designer. It wasn’t until she was introduced to her first microcontroller that her focus began shifting toward wearable electronics. “I think when I learned electronics, I was pushed toward wearables because of my craft ability and gender,” says Becky. “I’ve always been interested in human-computer interaction, and wearables afford many opportunities to explore the topic.” @bekathwia

34 | Making and Making Waves

Becky Stern

Today, Becky creates DIY tutorials for craft-based technology projects on her YouTube channel. She shares with viewers how to create beaded chandeliers, wire-wrapped earrings, and customized motorcycle helmet stickers, as well as solar-powered soil moisture meters and spray-painting quadcopters. Her channel is sprinkled with tutorials on sewing, coding, wiring, braids, and 3D printing, as well as tips for aspiring makers, from LED diffusion to camera gear.

She hopes platforms like hers will change notions on what a maker can and can’t create. Stereotypically feminine interests are often deemed incompatible with those viewed as more masculine, but Becky is changing the narrative. “I think it’s super important to show kids a wide variety of people performing a wide variety of jobs/skills,” says Becky. “I think we all need to be aware of the implicit biases in ourselves and the tech we use. We all need to make an effort to seek out folks who are different from us but who share that same maker spirit; then, amplify their voices and make space to work together.”

“We all need to make an effort to seek out folks who are different from us but who share that same maker spirit; then, amplify their voices and make space to work together.”

ESTEFANNIE

From coding to tinkering with electronics and hardware, Estefannie not only does it all but explains it all on her DIY and making-focused YouTube channel.

Her gift for math and science, however, wasn’t always apparent.

“I thought I was bad at math when I was little, but it was actually because I missed a class on fractions once, and all classes after that used fractions,” Estefannie laughs.

“It wasn’t until I started college that I realized math actually clicked easily. As an international student, I loved that math was a universal language; it doesn’t matter where you come from or what you speak, math connects us all.”

At the University of Houston, Estefannie studied computer science and mathematics. Her passion for both subjects inspired her to launch the university’s first Computer Science Girls club. Though her intention was to simply meet more women with similar interests, Estefannie learned the value a group of supportive, likeminded women could bring into her life: “It would be really hard for me to do the work I’m doing today without the amazing women in my support system.”

A few years after graduation, Estefannie, who had been working as a full-time software engineer, was invited to interview for a position at another company.

In preparation, she began studying everyday. Simply pouring through a textbook after a long day at work, however, was difficult. Her solution? Launching a YouTube channel where she could break down the complex computer science concepts she was studying into easily digestible clips. She’d know she understood a concept when she was able to explain it to others. “(Making videos) motivated me to actually study since I knew people in the comments would correct me if I said something wrong,” she recalls.

“As an international student, I loved that math was a universal language; it doesn’t matter where you come from or what you speak, math connects us all.”

Over the years, Estefannie’s channel evolved to feature all kinds of software and electrical engineering-based educational and DIY content.

With tutorials on creating Instagram filters and designing glass terrarium earthquake simulators, Estefannie’s goal is to make programming and electronics accessible and fun.

Making and Making Waves | 35

A full-time YouTuber since early 2019, Estefannie looks forward to expanding her content to reach new audiences.

Her (hopefully) next DIY project? A smart litter box for cats that alerts the owner when it needs to be cleaned and collects health data on each pet: “I’m obsessed with my cats!

I’m a helicopter parent,” she laughs.

In spite of her clear technical mastery, Estefannie is no stranger to imposter syndrome. She recalls the occasional self-doubt that plagued her for years, particularly after starting her first full-time job as a software engineer. It was through her work, however, that she developed confidence in her abilities. After getting positive reviews from senior software engineers on a project she had architected herself, Estefannie knew she was qualified for her role. “When my coworkers (whom I admired greatly) began to recognize my work, I was like, OK, maybe I do know a thing or two about software design and engineering!’”

“I learned the importance of patience,” Estefannie adds. “It takes time to acquire skills! I used to think people were born with or without certain talents, but I don’t really believe that anymore. Your mastery of a subject depends on your level of passion and the amount of time you practice.”

@estefanniegg

Estefannie

XYLA FOXLIN Xyla Foxlin, YouTuber and founder of the educational non-profit Beauty and the Bolt, hates how math, science, and engineering are taught in schools.

Growing up, the Boston native loved to take things apart. She had a natural affinity for science and enjoyed learning why things worked the way they did. Though Xyla sometimes struggled to remain engaged with STEM throughout her childhood, she eventually became a two-year captain of her high school robotics team. Described as a “robotics whiz kid,” Xyla enrolled at Case Western Reserve University upon graduation, where she studied mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Xyla’s college experience took an unusual turn when she entered a Miss America pageant, aiming to dispel the notion that women who embrace their femininity are ditzy or unintelligent. She was certainly a good candidate to break down such stereotypes; by her junior year of college, Xyla had designed Parihug, a set of two stuffed teddy bears that could each detect when the other was hugged.

Designed to connect individuals with distant loved ones, Parihug attracted so much attention that Xyla launched a startup firm dedicated to the product.

She and a classmate also created a YouTube channel, Beauty and the Bolt, which focused on making STEM education more accessible.

“My big thing is that femininity and engineering are not mutually exclusive,” notes Xyla in a 2017 Cleveland Magazine interview. “I’m still the only one in a dress at design reviews or the only one wearing all pink in the [machine] shop. We should be teaching our girls that it’s OK to like princesses and power tools.”

36 | Making and Making Waves

After graduation, Xyla continued to co-host Beauty and the Bolt and established an eponymous non-profit dedicated to tearing down barriers preventing minorities from entering and thriving in makerspaces.

Under Xyla’s leadership, Beauty and the Bolt’s Princesses with Power Tools initiative taught over 5,000 kids - more than half of whom were girls - to use a power tool for the first time.

In 2019, Xyla launched her own making-focused YouTube channel. Her videos have already accumulated over five million views, with content ranging from woodworking to tutorials on building flamethrowing greeting cards and floating tables. As her channel grows, Xyla hopes to continue changing perceptions about who can and can't be an engineer.

“As minorities, we must reinforce the ladder as we climb it, not take it with us on our travels.”

“[I’ve learned] that no matter where I end up in life, I must always find the time to give back, share knowledge and kindness, and help others,” said Xyla in a 2020 letter to Reinvented Inc. “As minorities, we must reinforce the ladder as we climb it, not take it with us on our travels.”

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achievements

are

incredibly powerful not only for what they are, but for what they represent.

By remaining unapologetically true to @xylafoxlin

themselves,

all

four

women

are

creating space in STEM for minorities from all backgrounds. They’re showing

Xyla Foxlin

young

women

that

success

came

because of, and not in spite of, their unique

perspectives.

And

they’re

proving that femininity is a powerful and

necessary

force

to

transform

technology.

Making and Making Waves | 37

HO P

R

+ P E the

E P S RI T Y O

women aboar d

SPACEX INSPIRATION4

## | delete if right page

BY: AYSIA TORRES

the mission Scheduled to launch on September 15th from Kennedy Space Center’s pad 39A, SpaceX’s Inspiration4 will be the world’s first allcivilian mission to space. It will also be the first crewed space mission to Earth’s orbit whose objective is not to visit the International Space Station since STS-125 (the final shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope) in 2009. Commanded by billionaire Jared Isaacman of Shift4 Payments, this space flight, named for its four-person crew, aims to raise funds and awareness for St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.

Each seat of the four-person crew represents a mission pillar (Leadership, Hope, Generosity, and Prosperity).

Isaacman will take the seat of Leadership, while the two female Inspiration4 crew members, Hayley Arceneaux, a physician’s assistant representing St. Jude’s, and Dr. Sian Proctor, a science communicator, will take the Hope and Prosperity seats, respectively. The fourth crew member is Christopher Sembroski, an Air Force veteran. Spending three days in low-Earth orbit, the Inspiration4 crew will perform experiments intended to expand our knowledge on the universe using equipment dedicated to microgravity research. Following a custom flight path, the craft capsule will circle Earth once every ninety minutes before splashing down off the coast of Florida.

GENEROSITY PROSPERITY LEADERSHIP HOPE

HOPE: hayley arceneaux In the seat representing Hope is Haley Arceneaux. Selected by Isaacman to represent St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Arceneaux is a survivor of childhood osteosarcoma, cancer that originates in the cells that form bone, as well as a previous patient at the hospital. Diagnosed at age ten, she first became a patient at St. Jude’s in 2002. In 2003, she won a Young Heroes award from Louisiana Public Broadcasting for her fundraising efforts on behalf of St. Jude’s research hospital while still undergoing treatment. Hired by St. Jude’s in 2020 after graduating college, she returned to the research hospital as a physician’s assistant and now works with works lymphoma she returned to the research hospital as a physician’s assistant and now with andpatients leukemia as both aand caregiver symbol of hope. and leukemia as patients both a caregiver symboland of hope. mkmk With a zest for adventure, Haley had always dreamt of becoming an astronaut m and going to space. At 29, she will become the youngest American to have mmm visited space (the title was previously held by Sally Ride, who traveled to mmmm pace at 32). Arceneaux will also be the first person in space with an mmmmm artificial joint after having parts of the bones in her left leg replaced mmmmm by titanium rods as part of her cancer treatment. Though NASA’s mmmmm strict health requirements would have grounded Arceneaux and mmmmm others like her in the past, private space exploration companies like mmmm SpaceX are opening up space travel opportunities to those who have mmmm been previously excluded. Arceneaux hopes her space trek will inspire mmm the patients at St. Jude’s to dream about a future beyond the hospital. page 40 | SpaceX ## | delete if rightInspiration4 page

PROSPERITY: dr. sian proctor Sitting in the seat of Prosperity is professor, geoscientist, author, entrepreneur, and science communicator, Dr. Sian Proctor. An analog astronaut trained for NASA’s earth-bound Mars simulations, Dr. Proctor has taken part in four analog missions.

Dr. Proctor has a background in environmental science, geology, and science education and has worked as a professor at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona for over twenty years. She teaches planetary science, geology, and sustainability. Using her passion for space as a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) communications expert and entrepreneur, she advocates for JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity) in human space flight advances. She has worked at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, as well as in a museum in Chile, on astronomy education outreach. Dr. Proctor has also created an eating program, Eat Like a Martian, and authored a cookbook, Meals for Mars, which promotes sustainable food practices used by astronauts to reduce food waste on Earth and end world hunger. Currently ranked as one of the top female African American explorers, Dr. Proctor is determined to inspire future generations of space explorers.

Currently, only ten percent of NASA's astronauts are women. Of the over 570 people who have been to space, only 65 have been women, and of those, only three have been Black women. This historic mission will serve not only to push the boundaries of scientific exploration but inspire the millions of girls who will look to Arcenaux\and Dr. Proctor as heroes and role models.

SpaceX Inspiration4 | page 41

iencing first time exper

zero-g!

r P

r e i t p y s o

training at SpaceX headquarters!

+ hope

all images in this article are from @inspiration4x on twitter! page 42 | SpaceX Inspiration4

Development

App

iOS

101

BY: JULIA NOVICK I started my journey in computer science in high school. After learning the basics of programming, I began to look beyond the programs we created in class to learn more about iOS app development.

I’ll admit that I didn’t necessarily go about learning app development in the most effective way; however, trial and error over time led me to discover a strong strategy for learning.

After initially Googling how to program an app, I learned about two things: XCode—Apple’s development environment for OS devices—and Swift—the general-purpose, intuitive programming language also developed by Apple. I decided I needed to learn the basics of Swift, as it’s the main programming language used for iOS app development. And having foundational knowledge from my experience working in Java and Scheme, I was able to learn quickly. I finished the CodeAcademy Swift course in a day. I then began following YouTube tutorials which guided me h

a c n u o y le a t o o! rn

through the development of my first app. Building my own app showed me I was capable of more than I had imagined and pulled me further into app development.

App development provides an excellent opportunity to generate innovative ideas. Developing a helpful app can change lives and even the world! However, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with information while initially learning. Everyone needs a place to begin, and it’s important to develop a strong foundation in certain facets of computer science and understand how to explore those facets. Based on my experience and research, I will describe a method to learn iOS application development that will hopefully be of value to you.

page 44 | iOS App Development 101

How to Begin Basics of Computing and Swift Before jumping into app development, it’s crucial to understand the basics of computing and Swift. Excellent starting points include taking a class—at a school, community college, etc.—or taking an online course. Some great options for online courses include CodeAcademy, Coursera, and Hack Reactor. Another alternative is to follow a book.

I recommend “The Swift Programming Language (Swift 5.4),” which is free from Apple and written by the developers of Swift.

“Mastering Swift 5.3” is great for advancing step-by-step, no matter your initial level of proficiency.

Beginner Tutorials

The iOS Apple Development tutorials also provide a great selection of videos. In these tutorials, you are not given many chances to mindlessly copy code. The material requires critical thinking to process. There are also short quizzes after each chapter to check your understanding.

iOS Apple Development tutorials

Fully understanding concepts by simply following tutorials, however, is difficult; it’s important to enhance your experience by performing your own research.

Stack Overflow and Hacking with Swift can help with this.

On Stack Overflow, you can find others working to solve virtually every issue you’ll likely encounter as a beginner.

Experienced developers in the Stack Overflow community will often work with askers in the question thread to resolve bugs! Additionally, Hacking with Swift provides step-by-step tutorials and explanations of various Swift and app development topics.

Following a video tutorial will allow you to gain practical experience and start becoming comfortable with XCode.

I recommend looking into Paul Hudson and CodeWithChris, two great YouTube channels with comprehensive video tutorials. By the end of one of their videos, you will have created a working iOS application!

The most important part of following tutorials is ensuring you actually understand each step; otherwise, you may end up merely copying code, not learning how to develop an app.

Paul Hudson

CodeWithChris

Stack Overflow

Hacking with Swift

After Each Tutorial Following the creation of every application, it is essential to reinforce the concepts you learned. You can accomplish this by starting with the app you created with the help of a tutorial and try modifying different aspects of it. This exercise fortifies skills and creates an opportunity to implement more of what you learned. Reviewing material from prior tutorials is also extremely beneficial to solidify your understanding of a topic. iOS App Development 101 | page 45

What to Do Next Follow a Book or Class for App Development YouTube and other web-based tutorials are a great introduction; however, it can be difficult to keep yourself accountable. You may spend extraneous time locating and following unhelpful tutorials. Sometimes, tutorials provide more complexity than is appropriate for certain audiences, and they can occasionally feel repetitive. It is important to progress steadily from basic to more complex concepts rather than jumping around.

A great approach to ensuring you are continuously challenging yourself is to follow a book or a class. The strategy is to learn skills from a book or lecture, practice with exercises, implement them in applications, and supplement them with additional research.

Recommended Books “iOS Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide”

by Christian Keur and Aaron Hillegass This is a beginner-level book. It includes both coding and iOS concepts, tools, techniques, and features. This book leaves the audience knowing “when and where to apply what (they’ve) learned.”

It also provides helpful photos and figures.

“Programming iOS 14”

by Matt Neuburg This book allows the student to “learn how to create views, manipulate view controllers, and add features from iOS frameworks” through code examples.

Throughout the Process It’s vital to keep stimulating yourself by creating different types of apps. This allows you to discover your strengths, weaknesses, and favorite aspects of app development.

Also, it’s important to reinforce a complete understanding of each concept. As mentioned previously, to absorb the most information, it is crucial that you do your own additional research.

“Beginning iOS 14 & Swift App Development"

by Greg Lim This book allows the reader to create working apps while implementing several essential, real-world iOS application concepts.

Learning iOS app development isn’t easy; however, this guide has hopefully armed you with some helpful strategies to expand your know ledge. While everyone has a different learn ing style, the tips in this guide can hopefully prov ide a good start to your learning experience. page 46 | iOS App Development 101

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STEM and and Social Social Justice: Justice: STEM Step Forwards Forwards aa Step and aa Step Step Backwards Backwards and BY: MADELINE DAY

For many, the words “criminal justice” conjure up images of courtrooms, lawyers, and legal briefs. While such images are generally thought to be unrelated to STEM, STEM has a significant impact on social justice. Although the influence of STEM fields on criminal justice is shrouded, the fields are, without a doubt, a crucial component of the criminal justice system and can be used to either further social justice or reinforce existing systems of inequality. page 48 | STEM & Social Justice

Advancing Social Justice: DNA Testing and The Innocence Project You are on trial. The courtroom is quiet as the judge reads the sentence for a crime you did not commit, and there are few options left to prove your innocence.

Being wrongly accused of a crime is a fear that many have. But, for thousands in the United States, wrongful imprisonment is reality.

How does wrongful imprisonment occur?

The U.S. judicial system enforces the rule of law and adheres to strict legal procedures. However, faults within each step of the criminal justice system can lead to wrongful imprisonment. For example, inaccurate eyewitness testimony is involved in at least seventy-five percent of wrongful convictions. Other factors, including inadequate legal defense or mishandling of crime scene evidence, contribute to wrongful imprisonment as well. Despite the somewhat arbitrary factors involved in the conviction process, forensic DNA testing, has added more stability to the system.

At each crime scene, investigators collect hundreds of samples, including samples of skin, hair, saliva, and blood. Such biological samples allow forensic scientists to trace the crime scene in terms of its DNA markers.

Forensic scientists focus their analysis on segments of DNA called short tandem repeats, or STRs, which are sequences of repeated DNA unique to an individual. Because STRs are like a DNA fingerprint, scientists extract the STR from a sample and compare its sequence to DNA in law enforcement databases, where there is hopefully a match for the desired suspect.

While useful, DNA testing in a lab is not enough to exonerate convicts, which is why organizations such as The Innocence Project combine DNA forensics with legal expertise.

STEM & Social Justice | page 49

The Innocence Project: Since its founding in 1992, The Innocence Project has overturned 375 wrongful convictions, including death-row cases. Of the cases overturned, twenty-nine percent involve false confessions, and forty-three percent involve misuse of forensic science, demonstrating the ongoing need for reform within the criminal justice system. The successes of the Innocence Project illustrate the shortcomings caused by societal inequity— seventy percent of convictions overturned by The Innocence Project involved minority defendants, who often had little access to legal resources due to financial limitations.

The creation of the Innocence Project and the increased use of DNA forensics has impacted the criminal justice system for the better. The Justice for All Act, passed in 2004, guarantees the right to petition a federal court for DNA testing. Included in the act are provisions to increase the use and efficiency of DNA testing at crime laboratories and provisions to expand access to DNA testing for defendants. Such changes demonstrate how combining STEM with social justice can have a powerful impact on society at large. However, it is vital to acknowledge that DNA-based exonerations are merely a post-conviction remedy, a remedy that does not erase the bias and prejudice that factored into the wrongful conviction in the first place.

page 50 | STEM & Social Justice

Drawbacks to Social Justice: Bias in Facial Recognition Facial recognition is Orwellian in nature. In scifi action movies, the technology is often portrayed as a green square box that focuses on a face before exposing private details about the individual. In real life, facial recognition is more mundane, a product of large tech companies. But it has the potential to become a modern day “Big Brother.”

How AI facial recognition works: At its core, facial recognition is a type of biometric technology which applies statistics to analyze biological features. Pioneered in the 1960s and 1970s, facial recognition uses landmarks such as the jaw, eyes, nose, and cheekbones to identify individuals. Geometric facial recognition identifies prominent facial features and analyzes the relative positions and angles between the features, while photo-metric facial recognition assigns values to images and uses a series of mathematical equations.

Regardless of the method used to identify an image of a face, once the primary features are identified or labeled, facial recognition software compares the features to a database of faces in a process known as one-to-many identification.

When created and used correctly, facial recognition has benefits such as locating missing persons or preventing identity fraud, but recent research exposing its biases has increased concerns within the scientific community.

Gender and Racial Bias in Facial Recognition In 2018, Joy Buolamwini, a researcher at the MIT Media Lab, and Timnit Gebru, a postgraduate at Microsoft, conducted a study on bias in facial recognition systems. Titled “Gender Shades: Intersectional Accuracy Disparities in Commercial Gender Classification”, the study gained attention within the technical community for exposing the different levels of bias present in facial recognition. Buolamwini analyzed three commercially available facial recognition programs (Microsoft, IBM, and Face++) and their ability to determine gender. In her study, Buolamwini introduced a new facial dataset that consisted of 1,270 individuals with a more diverse gender and skin tone ratio. She found that tested recognition programs were more likely to misidentify women and those with darker skin tones. All classifiers “performed better on male than female faces,” with a 8.1% to 20.6% difference in accuracy, and all classifiers “performed better on lighter faces than darker faces,” with an 11.8% to 19.2% difference. One source of bias is that training databases for large companies primarily consist of men and those with a lighter skin tone, therefore almost programming bias into the systems.

Bias in facial recognition is not just an issue that impacts large technology corporations but one that impacts civil rights as well. In January of 2020, Robert Williams, an African-American man, was arrested by Detroit police in his suburban home for a supposed robbery. The only evidence the police had? A facial recognition match. However, the facial recognition match was erroneous, potentially due to racial bias. While Williams was able to file a wrongful arrest suit with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, there will inevitably be individuals who lack access to legal aid and fall victim to a wrongful conviction. Such incidents have caught the attention of governments and organizations alike, who have pushed for more facial recognition regulation. The 2019 Algorithmic Accountability Act urged the Federal Trade Commission to regulate companies’ creation of facial recognition algorithms, and eleven U.S. cities, including Boston, have banned the use of facial-recognition technology by the government.

What can we learn?

If the use of DNA testing to prove innocence is a step forward in creating a more just society, then bias in facial recognition is a step backwards. There are ironic parallels between the way DNA testing can exonerate wrongful convictions and the way biased facial recognition can contribute to them. Ultimately, as individuals in the field of STEM, we must ensure that rather than contribute to inequality, technology provides methods for change. The first step can be to amplify underrepresented voices.

STEM & Social Justice | 51

DIY:

smart mirror

BY: WICKED MAKERS

>>what is a smart mirror?

A “Smart Mirror” is a two-way mirror with a display behind it that is typically used to show useful information like the time, the weather, your calendar, and all sorts of other things! People use them for all kinds of purposes. You’ll see them placed in the bathroom, in the kitchen, as a vanity, all over the place!

This tutorial will walk through the basic steps behind building your very own smart mirror! But, if you want an even more detailed look at the plans, scan the QR code here:

>>parts & materials 18” x 24” Picture Frame Acer 1080p Monitor (Note: Any monitor or TV will work, just make sure you size the rest of your parts accordingly!)

Raspberry Pi Kit 18” x 24” Two-Way Glass Mirror (NOTE: Save some money by using an Acrylic Mirror instead!)

90-deg HDMI Adapter 1.25” Wood Screws Wood Glue Super Glue Your Favorite Color of Acrylic Paint ¾” Plywood Keyboard and Mouse (any will do!)

>>tools *Optional: Impact Driver, Clamps

Pocket Hole Jig

DRILL

tape measure

Hot glue gun

SAW

>>step 1: cut the wood for the back frame We used a regular picture frame and extended the back of it to create more space for the parts like the monitor and Raspberry Pi. To do this, we used ¾” plywood and cut some strips.

You’ll need four strips that are 1.75” wide and then two more that are 1.5” wide. We left a ¼” reveal around the edge, so, for our 18” x 24” frame, the two long strips are 25.75” and the two shorter ones are 18.25”.

We assembled the frame using pocket holes, so we set up our pocket hole jig for a ¾” cut and then drilled two holes in the ends of the two shorter sides.

Cut Cut !

Tip: Don’t have a saw? The nice folks at big box stores like Home Depot will usually cut them for you if you bring in a list of measurements and ask nicely :) The other two 1.5” wide strips will get cut to the final length later on, but for now, they should be a minimum of about 25” long to be safe.

DIY: Smart Mirror | 53

>>step 2: paint and assemble the back frame We then painted each piece with our favorite color of acrylic paint (and make sure to paint the frame if it doesn’t already match your color paint!). Once dry, we then added vertical pocket holes on each of the pieces, which are used to attach them to the back of the picture frame.

We placed the holes 3” in from each end. It’s important to ensure the depth of your pocket holes is accurate. These are going in from the back so, if they're too deep, the screws will poke through the front of the picture frame!

channel your inner bob ross!

Next, we assembled the frame together using the pocket screws, ensuring each corner was square as we went so we had a perfect square frame when we were done.

see if the checking to depth is ' pocket holes te a r ac c u

ASsembling the frame :O

>>step 3: attaching the frame to the...frame We flipped the picture frame so it was face down and then placed the back frame on top of it. We used a bit of super glue on the back of the plywood to help it stay put while we attached the pocket screws.

It’s important to ensure the position of the back frame is perfectly centered on the back of the picture frame.

If you have clamps, they really come in handy here to make sure you have a good, tight fit when you attach the pocket screws. We attached the two screws into each side for a secure fit.

m ake s ur e back frame is centered on back of pic frame hold it stea

54 | DIY: Smart Mirror

dy !

>>step 4: putting in the two-way mirror Smart Mirrors work by using a “two-way mirror.” What’s significant about a two-way mirror is that one side allows light to pass through and the other side is reflective. That allows you to put something like a display or monitor on the back and shine light through.

The mirror we used is ¼” thick and is very high-quality glass, so we get a lot of light passing through while maintaining a clear reflection.

However, these types of mirrors are very expensive. If you’re on a budget, a great option is to use an acrylic mirror.

To install the mirror, first, we removed the clear plastic and the cardboard backing in the picture frame. But, we saved the cardboard since we’re going to use it! We then folded up all the little metal tabs to make room for the mirror.

Next, we gently placed the mirror into the frame, bright side facing forward (dark side back). It fit perfectly, but it was important to be gentle so we didn't scratch it. Once it was in, we carefully bent down all the metal tabs to hold the mirror in place.

>>step 5: disassembling the computer monitor Before we started, we turned on the monitor and raised the brightness to the maximum. Next, we removed the stand at the bottom, then laid it face down on something soft so it didn't get scratched.

There were two small screws near the power/HDMI ports that came out first, but we saved them since we used them later!

Next, we use a small flathead screwdriver to pop all the tabs around the outside and take off the back panel. This revealed a line of small screws around the edge on the back that we then took out. With those screws out, we then carefully removed the front bezel.

There’s a small set of buttons on the bottom that turns the monitor on/off/etc., so we carefully took those out so they didn’t get damaged.

Finally, we took the cardboard piece from the picture frame and laid it down, removing any metal tabs it had first. Then we used a ruler to place the monitor face down on the board exactly in the center. We traced around it with a pencil and then used a sharp utility knife to cut out the rectangle, being as careful as possible to get super close to the line and not leave any gaps.

Now you can see how we fit the monitor perfectly into the cardboard!

DIY: Smart Mirror | 55

>>step 6: install the monitor into the picture frame With everything prepped, we cleaned the back of the mirror with a microfiber cloth (this is the last chance to do that!) and then placed the cardboard back into the frame. The monitor then fit perfectly into the space we cut out for it, facing the back of the mirror. With a hot glue gun, we traced around the edges to secure the monitor to the board.

Note: If your rectangle cut-out is bigger than your monitor, then light can escape back through the mirror. You can use some tape over the edges to block the light if needed!

>>step 7: attached the back strips to secure the monitor Remember those other two strips of plywood we cut in the beginning?

Now, we attached those to the back of the frame to hold everything tightly in place.

First, we cut them to the exact size so they fit into the back of the frame.

Once we cut them, we drilled a single pocket hole into the end of each one.

The first strip of plywood was placed at the bottom of the monitor to support its weight and was pushed in as tightly as it could go and screwed into place. The second was placed about three-quarters of the way up against the back of the monitor to hold it up against the mirror tightly.

Each of these is ¼” less wide than the outer frame to account for the cords passing over them in the back.

>>step 8: assembling the raspberry pi To power our Smart Mirror, we used a Raspberry Pi computer. We started by inserting the memory card into the Pi and then placing it into the plastic case. We then attached the power cable and HDMI cable. You should also plug the keyboard and mouse into the USB slots.

Next, we booted up the Pi for the first time.

We were prompted to “install” the operating system, so we simply followed the on-screen instructions until the Pi booted up. It then asks a few basic questions like Timezone, Wifi, etc.

Note: If you don’t have an extra monitor at home, we recommend doing this step prior to disassembling the other monitor!

56 | DIY: Smart Mirror

> b e e p b oop >

>>step 9: installing and customizing the magic mirror software To run the smart mirror, we used a free piece of software called “Magic Mirror.” It’s designed specifically for this, it’s very fun to use, and it works great! Since there are a lot of links and software downloads in this step, check out the online version of this tutorial to get Magic Mirror set up.

>>step 10: installing the electronics into the frame Once the software was ready to go, we could finally put everything into the frame. We started by attaching the 90-deg HDMI adapter on the back of the monitor and connected the HDMI cable to it. Next, we attached the power cable to the monitor and tucked it to the side.

We then screwed the Pi case onto the back of the monitor with a single screw and then reassembled the Pi. This is also a good opportunity to install the heat sinks and fan that come with the Pi kit to keep it cool while it runs our Smart Mirror.

Then, we removed the Raspberry Pi from the plastic case, revealing two mounting holes on the bottom. Remember those screws from the back of the monitor in the beginning? We’re going to use one of them to secure the Pi to the monitor. The ideal place to put it is on the side, as shown, but there’s a tiny little metal tab in the way of an otherwise perfect fit. We took a metal file and simply ground out a little piece of the plastic case to fit perfectly.

You can read the full tutorial, find links to the right parts, and watch an instructional video by scanning this QR code.

>>step 11: final assembly & cable routing Finally, the last step was to properly route all of the cables to be nice and clean in the back. We used a combination of a hot glue gun and velcro cable ties to secure all of the cables tightly to the back of the frame.

Want to see more Wicked Makers?

from

>>step 12: the results!

thewickedmakers.com

Smart Mirrors are SUPER FUN! We love combining technology like this with hands-on making, it’s like the best of both worlds. We spent a lot of time having fun customizing the mirror with different modules to really dial it in for our use case, and we couldn’t be happier with the result :)

@wickedmakers

Need more smart mirror inspiration? Our CEO followed this tutorial and made an Olivia Rodrigothemed mirror earlier this summer! @caeleylooney DIY: Smart Mirror | 57

OPPORTUNITY WE21 Where: Indianapolis, IN When: October 21 - 23rd, 2021 What: SWE presents the largest conference for women in engineering and technology. In addition to panels and speakers, there will also be a career fair and opportunities for onsite interviews!

USA STEM Careers Event Where: Virtual When: September 9th, 2021 What: Online STEM event for women that will introduce students and recent graduates to STEM employers in the U.S.A.

Technica Hackathon Where: Hybrid (Virtual and IRL University of Maryland) When: November 2021

TechTogether Boston

What: Technica is the world’s largest hackathon for underrepresented genders, hosted annually by students at the University of Maryland.

Where: Boston, Massachusetts

page 58 | Opportunity Board

When: September 10–12th, 2021 What: TechTogether Boston is one of TechTogether's largest and longestrunning hackathons for women and underrepresented genders in STEM.

BOARD TechTogether New York Where: Virtual When: October 15–17th, 2021 What: TechTogether New York is one of the few gender-focused hackathons for marginalized genders based out of New York state.

TechTogether Seattle Where: Virtual When: November 5–8th, 2021 What: TechTogether Seattle is the only hackathon located in Washington State for marginalized genders.

HackHers 2021 Where: Virtual When: November 20 - 21st, 2021 What: HackHers 2021 is New Jersey's largest womxn-centric hackathon organized by Rutgers Women in Computer Science that urges a close in the STEM gender gap.

Opportunity Board | page 59

Avika P. Question: What are the best ways for CS people to get out of their comfort zone?

Answer: “Let your fear of regret be stronger than your fear of failure.”― Ruth Soukup. One of the best pieces of advice I received during my CS career was to “do it scared!” Simply put, don’t let fear hold you back from trying something. It usually helps to start small and build from there. When learning a new language you always start with “hello world” and you apply that same principle with things outside your comfort zone.

Avantika S. Question: When applying to colleges for STEM what is the most important part of your application?

Answer: The most important part of any application is the why. Why you, why now, why us. Try to be as persuasive and passionate as possible. The more you can clearly communicate your why, the better your chances are of acceptance. This is a valuable lesson to learn because you will use this skill during college applications, job interviews, product pitches, etc.

Gloria

who is...

Christine A. Question: What is your best piece of advice you could give to someone interested in pursuing a career in STEM? Answer: My best piece of advice for someone pursuing a career in STEM is to follow your passion.

You should pursue a career in STEM because it's something you want to do and not to please others. If you are enjoying a chemistry class, take another one.

If you are not enjoying it, don't make it a career. It’s also important to know that some classes are difficult and it doesn’t mean that you should completely give up. You don’t have to ace every class in order to get a degree. Lastly, learn studying techniques that work for you. You might get a difficult teacher, class, or subject matter that makes you think you should give up learning a topic but in reality if you just heard it explained a different way it might make more sense to you.

question & answer

Faith L. Question: Is there anything important to start thinking about during high school when it comes to pursuing a STEM major/career?

Answer: During high school it's important to explore STEM courses as much as possible. Set up clubs, volunteer, shadow different STEM fields, and host career days. You don’t have to pick your STEM career when you are in high school but being exposed to more people with STEM careers will be an advantage when you are looking for mentorship and guidance.

It’s also important to remember that STEM has a lot of different fields in it and it's not necessary to master them all. High school is a great time to gain understanding of the fundamentals in a way that you can build up on later in college.

AIROLG KSA

page 60 | Ask Gloria

got a question?

Grace P. Question: Grad school vs. industry after college—how do I prepare for grad school?

Answer: I am a big fan of gaining industry knowledge after college for two reasons. Reason #1: Grad school tends to be very specialized and without industry knowledge you might specialize in an area and later realize that you don’t want to work in that area. But with Industry knowledge first, you can gain understanding of the industry overall and then follow your interest into a specialization that excites you. Reason #2: Some companies will pay for your grad school if it benefits the company's goals, meaning that you could get your degree without going further in debt!

Christie K. Question: What are some great engineering opportunities that I could look into? (internships, summer activities, etc.)

Answer: The summer is a great time to deepen your knowledge through internships, extra courses, and research or passion projects. It is also a great time to shadow a person in your desired occupation.

The CEO and founder of Shule, a startup that tokenizes international experimental learning systems in decentralized education. Previously to venturing out on her own, she was Square's University Tech Evangelist where she focused on helping connect people to the tools, programs, and support they need to enter the technology industry.

Kimbwala

Emma F. Question: Any recommendations for scholarships that people should apply for?

Answer: The best thing you should do for scholarships is to apply often and apply early. Give yourself plenty of time to start looking for scholarships. Some great resources for scholarships are online communities, your school, the university that you are applying to, and The Ultimate Scholarship Book that you can get at your local library. Every scholarship you get will help so apply for anything that you qualify for.

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Ella K. Question: What to do if you cannot decide on a major?

Answer: How to choose a major that is right for you?

It’s okay to not have a decided major. Some people double major, others have a major and a minor, and others even switch their major later in their education. The best thing to do is follow the major that you are passionate about. If you haven't found a major that you enjoy then take a semester off and get some industry experience and see if it helps propel you in a direction.

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Issue 9 Summer 2021