I believe technology and community go hand in hand. Sure, I can design and build a great robot, but I hope to contribute to building great humans too. Women are not strangers in the STEM fields. Historically, women have been successful scientists, engineers and innovators. We are natural problem solvers. For example, when faced with safety concerns in her own house due to high crime rates, Marie Van Brittan Brown combined a system of four peep holes, a movable camera and a two way microphone to invent a video home security system. This also included buttons that could sound an alarm or remotely unlock the door. Her invention opened the gateway for many of the modern home security systems we use today.When Valerie Thomas wasn't busy working as a NASA data analyst and managing their Landsat program, she was experimenting with how she could visually transmit the 3D illusion. Her research and invention of the illusion transmitter brought about the well known 3D movie technology. She now uses her knowledge to teach young students STEM. Women always manage to forge a way when faced with adversity. To that end, It is safe to say when granted more accessibility to resources, women can thrive in STEM and plug the holes in the pipeline. Studies have shown that early exposure is key to retention and success. It is critical that we invest in young girls to insure our representation for the future. I spent my entire high school career curating resources to advance my community in STEM. I personally reached 5,000 girls in my hometown when I created a robotics program for girls ages 9-18. EVE Robotics is now the go to, all-girl program in Atlanta, Georgia. I hope to recreate the success I had in Atlanta while in college as I develop my personal STEM Advocacy initiative: She Thinks Equity Matters. Lego bricks, aluminum channel, 3D Printers. Drill press, bandsaw, lathe. Boolean, variables, integers. Robotics competitions, STEM Camp Counselor, Girls in STEM advocate. My experience and knowledge has grown exponentially over the years. Admittedly, learning about tools, parts and programming has been arduous, yet fun. The knowledge I obtained while learning to navigate through these challenges is most rewarding. The fidelity I have towards my community has been cemented. Not even a global pandemic can deter me. A college degree will grant me credentials to pursue my passion of helping marginalized factions of the community. I aim to expand the scope of my non profit. Moreover, my long term goal is to lower the negative impact of environmental racism. My major is Mechanical Engineering and I plan to apply my degree to green-manufacturing and sustainability. STEM has shaped my worldview. No other set of subjects has captivated me quite as much. I have been on a robotics team roster for more than half of my life. I am certain that I have spent more hours in the robotics lab than at home. Dare I say: it completes me — and provides the tools with which to chase all my dreams simultaneously. I hope to be the Valerie Thomas of my generation. Upon graduation, I will uplift those most in need. One cannot rest when the peak is reached. The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next. I am striving to be the continuation of those who have come before me while serving those around me. With local and global STEM programs, I will teach students like me to become the next thinkers, doers, innovators, and leaders in their own communities.

I believe technology and community go hand in hand. Sure, I can fabricate a great robot, but I hope to contribute to building great humans too. Historically, the Black community has never lacked scientists, engineers and innovators. We are natural problem solvers. For example, when Frederick McKinley Jones was faced with the obstacle of preserving blood, food and supplies during World War II, he created refrigerated trucks, which became crucial during the war and contributed to the modern day refrigeration systems. Lonnie Johnson became a NASA engineer where he worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This led to his accidental invention of the mechanism used in the number one selling toy, the Super Soaker water gun, in which he prototyped using scrap materials. Black people have always managed to forge a way when faced with adversity. To that end, It is safe to say when granted more accessibility to resources, the Black community can thrive in STEM and plug the holes in the pipeline. Studies have shown that early exposure is key to retention and success. It is critical that we invest in Black youth to insure our representation for the future. I spent my entire high school career curating resources to advance my community in STEM. I reached 5,000 girls in my hometown when I created a robotics program for girls ages 9-18. EVE Robotics is now the go to, all-girl program in Atlanta, Georgia. I hope to recreate the success I had in Atlanta while in college as I develop my personal STEM Advocacy initiative: She Thinks Equity Matters. Lego bricks, aluminum channel, 3D Printers. Drill press, bandsaw, lathe. Boolean, variables, integers. Robotics competitions, STEM Camp Counselor, Girls in STEM advocate. My experience and knowledge has grown exponentially over the years. Admittedly, learning about tools, parts and programming has been arduous, yet fun. The knowledge I obtained while learning to navigate through these challenges is most rewarding. The fidelity I have towards my community has been cemented. Not even a global pandemic can deter me. A college degree will grant me credentials to pursue my passion of helping marginalized factions of the community. I aim to expand the scope of my non profit. Moreover, my long term goal is to lower the negative impact of environmental racism. My major is Mechanical Engineering however I plan to concentrate on green-manufacturing and sustainability. STEM has shaped my worldview. No other set of subjects has captivated me quite as much. I have been on a robotics team roster for more than half of my life. I may have spent more hours in the robotics lab than at home. Dare I say it completes me — and provides the tools with which to chase all my dreams simultaneously. I hope to be the Lonnie Johnson of my generation. Upon graduation, I will uplift those most in need. One cannot rest when the peak is reached. The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next. I am striving to be the continuation of those who have come before me while serving those around me. With local and global STEM programs, I will teach students like me to become the next thinkers, doers, innovators, and leaders in their own communities.