Delaware's STEM Queen
Behind the Scenes with Jackie Means
|
|
Meet Jacqueline Means! Jackie is from Southbridge, a low-income area on the south side of Wilmington with a 60% teen dropout rate and known for neighborhood shootings and violence. At seven years old, she fell in love with science. At 12 she felt compelled to become a role model to help change the attitudes of youth in her community. At 16, she founded the Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative to help combat the lack of educational resources in the area. Jackie’s STEM Initiative has positively impacted over 2,000 young girls and encouraged them to challenge the stereotypes they face as minority females in STEM professions.
|
|
“I want my community to be a better place and help the kids
to realize they can become anything they want to be.
If you can dream it, you can be it.”
|
|
To close the local opportunity gap in science, technology, engineering, and math, through her STEM Initiative Jackie hosts Girls Empowerment STEM Events – a fun, creative way to get underserved girls involved in STEM with hands-on science experiments. She introduces them to a variety of STEM activities, including making slime, snow, dry ice cream and elephant toothpaste. She also involves them in interactive anti-bullying demonstrations, social media safety and events designed to bolster self-confidence.
Girls hear inspiring talks from prominent women to excite and inspire them about science and engineering in hopes to equip them with the knowledge and confidence that they, as minority females, can succeed in the STEM field. Means herself is often inspired by the women she brings to speak at her events, such as Wilmington treasurer Velda Jones-Potter, otolaryngologist Joan Coker, chemical researcher Teri Quinn Gray, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester.
In March, Gov. John Carney was joined by STEM advocates to recognize March 24, 2021 as Women & Girls in STEM Day. Jackie championed the Proclamation Day alongside Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, who serves as Million Women Mentors National Honorary Co-Chair, and Jennifer Kmiec, Co-Chair of Million Women Mentors Delaware.
With few minority women in the STEM workforce, Jackie’s goal is to motivate these girls of color to become scientists, tech specialists, engineers and mathematicians, emphasizing that there are no boundaries to their success. Jackie titled herself the STEM Queen years ago to show that young girls of color can go for STEM careers. "I want to let people know that STEM is something I'm passionate about.”
Jackie recently was honored with the “Multiplying Good in Delaware” award. The award recognizes those who realize their ability to bring meaningful change to their world and celebrates the power that service to others can have to positively impact the lives of those around them.
|
|
Before starting her sophomore year at University of Delaware, Jackie will spend her summer running Girl’s Empowerment Events as well as participating in The John Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Neuroscience internship program – bringing her one step closer to realizing her dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.
|
|
We Asked Jackie:
What’s next for your STEM Initiative?
|
|
“I would love to be able to host more STEM activities with about 100 girls at each event. Branching out from Wilmington to the entire state of Delaware and beyond is definitely on the horizon. Additionally, I’d like to add more “T” in STEM to our activities – Technology! We recently had a “T” event at Neighborhood House where participants learned how to use a 3D printer to make Unicorn creations. Technology can be fun too!”
One of Jackie’s greatest inspirations has been her mom and main mentor, JoAnn, who finds experiment supplies, attends all events, and posts the STEM events on social media. Jackie and JoAnn graciously thank supporters DFSME, Inspiring Women in STEM, Chemours, Verizon and JPMorgan Chase.
If you or your organization are interested in becoming a sponsor in sharing Jackie’s mission and messages, please email Anne.dfsme@dfsme.org with “Jackie Means” in the subject line.
|
|
Championing Women and Girls in STEM
By Bethany Hall-Long
Lt. Governor, Delaware and National Chair, Million Women Mentors
|
|
As a scientist and researcher, I know firsthand what STEM education can do to expand opportunities for women and girls. I wouldn't be where I am today without STEM education.
Nationwide, 52% of the college educated workforce are women, yet they only account for 29% of the STEM workforce. And those numbers simultaneously reflect percentages in Delaware. Nearly half of Delaware's workforce is made up of women, yet women make up less than one-third of STEM jobs in the state. And the numbers of women of color in STEM professions are even less.
We can and we must do better.
If we're going to effectively and equitably build our Delaware STEM workforce, we're going to need more people in STEM. Specifically, more women.
We need to prepare girls and women to help meet this challenge. Research shows individuals with mentors have improved academic, social, and economic prospects. For women in STEM fields, this becomes increasingly important as young women look to role models to help them gain their confidence and increase opportunities.
Change Happens Locally
As the honorary national co-chair of the Million Women Mentors (MWM), I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish thus far. MWM connects local communities and girl-serving institutions to state leaders, corporations, and a national movement that builds momentum and drives for local efforts. It is a national and global movement with local roots.
There is so much work to be done. Mentoring is one of the most effective levers to propel and support women and girls on STEM pathways. We've been able to connect countless aspiring girls and women with mentors and STEM education programs across the country.
|
|
There is No Going Back to the Pre-COVID-19 Normal
By Teri Quinn Gray, Director, District III
Excerpt from April 26, 2021, Chemical & Engineering News / American Chemical Society
|
|
Since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, we
have experienced immeasurable loss. But our sense of pre-COVID-19 normalcy has morphed into a new reality that accelerates discovery, shines a light on racial injustice, and rehumanizes the chemical enterprise to unleash innovations from classrooms to boardrooms. There is no going back.
Innovation thrives in a crisis, as seen with the development of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines in record time. Public, private, and philanthropic organizations around the world freed up resources toward research on coronaviruses, and many people worked around the clock to bring vaccines to fruition.
The American Chemical Society and its members are right in the mix, engaged in COVID-19-related endeavors across all sectors of the chemical enterprise, including bench research and policy. Also, ACS is doing a fantastic job at connecting society members and the general public with a wealth of curated resources to navigate the pandemic. Check out the COVID-19 resource page on the ACS website at www.acs.org/content/acs/en/covid-19 for additional information. This communal mindset and behavior are every bit as important as the vaccine development itself.
In the US, the COVID-19 pandemic has cast a spotlight on social and economic disparities, such as the lack of quality health care for all and under-resourced schools. Furthermore, our ability to build a workforce for science, technology, engineering and mathematics for today and the future is at serious risk when these disparities remain.
Over the past year, we demonstrated how different people from different places working together with a sense of urgency leads to lifesaving impact on a global scale. We now know how to create real, systemic change in our communities. There is no going back to a pre-COVID-19 normal that does not meet the basic needs and rights of all people. We must engage with one another in honest conversations that may be uncomfortable at first but will no doubt get easier over time.
“…We must commit long term to dismantle racism and other systemic barriers
in the workplace and the communities where we live.”
And we cannot stop there. Governments, businesses, and academic institutions are rallying to rehumanize their operations to attract top talent, customers and investors. It is the new imperative for unleashing innovation in classrooms and boardrooms alike. There is no going back, only forward.
We need to work together as a community to bring about positive and lasting change. We can make a difference.
|
|
Delaware Health Career Collaborative |
|
During the first quarter of the 2021 school year, scholars at William Penn High School were able to participate in a ChristianaCare-sponsored program entitled the Winter Health Career Collaborative (formerly the Healthcare Academy). This 12-week collaboration between ChristianaCare’s Office of Health Equity and William Penn was an extracurricular immersive opportunity for underrepresented 10th and 11th grade high school scholars of the Allied Health program to experience what working in health care looks and feels like, in both clinical and non-clinical roles.
Through virtual exploratory learning, scholars experienced a variety of disciplines which provided early exposure to health care career paths, including infectious disease/vaccines, social determinants of health, genomics and robotics. Scholars and ChristianaCare Residents took part in discussions and activities in an integrated interface – including case studies, robotics and health equity.
The program provided rich opportunities for scholars to develop confidence on a personal level, learn more about their own career interests, and help to make positive changes in our community.
“The tapestry of our landscape is ever-changing. Through exposure and expansion,
we want to give scholars a front row seat to the ecosystem of nursing, and
create a stronger, more equitable STEM workforce in Delaware.”
– Kamela Smith, Community Outreach Program Manager, ChristianaCare
About a future collaboration, Kamela said, “ChristianaCare is in development stages to bring a new career program to Delaware schools focusing on ‘All-Things-Nursing’. Tentatively called the Nursing Career Collaborative (NCC), this endeavor is an extension of our Workforce Development Program. The NCC is being designed and developed to help high school scholars carve out career pathways and pipelines specific to nursing. We will share with scholars that there is much more to medicine than just the white coat. There are so many options and possibilities.”
The 2021-2022 program will draw students from multiple school districts. ChristianaCare plans to create this prototype program to be piloted and submitted to the national-level Health Career Collaborative organization for a comprehensive Nursing program model at the high school level for other states.
To learn more about the ChristianaCare Workforce Development Program, including the Health Career Collaborative, Hospital-based Workforce opportunities, and the Summer Youth Development Program, click here.
For questions or more information about any of the above programs, please contact Kamela Smith, Community Outreach Program Manager, at Kamela.Smith@christianacare.org.
|
|
Young Environmentalists Wanted!
Nominations accepted through June 30.
|
|
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is looking for Delaware students
who are working to make a difference for the environment, and is asking teachers, classmates,
club or group leaders, family members and others to nominate these students for the
2021 Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards.
Nominations must be based on actions or projects which have taken
place between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021.
The Young Environmentalist program honors Delaware students whose actions have helped protect,
restore or enhance Delaware’s natural resources through one or more of the following:
demonstrating environmental stewardship, initiating an innovative project, increasing
public awareness or demonstrating environmental ethics.
A winner will be chosen from each of the following categories:
elementary, grades 1 to 4; middle school, grades 5 to 8; and high school, grades 9 to 12.
Each category winner will receive a certificate, gift card and prize pack
in recognition of their contribution to the community.
To nominate a student for the awards, or for more information, including the nomination form,
|
|
Spend Quality Time This Summer and Apply!
STEM Educators Award 2021
Application materials must be received by September 1, 2021.
|
|
The Delaware STEM Educator Awards recognize a teacher, or team of teachers at Elementary (K-5),
Middle (6-8) and High School (9-12) levels that demonstrate STEM innovation and
excellence through teaching, academic collaboration, and student engagement.
Winners at each level are eligible for a cash award up to $7,500 as a thank you for
their commitment to STEM in Delaware and the success of our students.
To download a full Application and instructions, click here.
The Community Award is open to organizations that coordinate and organize STEM activities for youth in grades pre-K through 12 that typically, but not exclusively, take place outside the school environment.
For questions about completing an application or to contact an Awards coordinator,
|
|
Save the Date! October 8-9, 2021
STEM Equity & Mathematics Equity Conferences
Featured Speakers include:
Dr. Michael Flynn, Mt. Holyoke College
Dr. Ilana Horn, Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College
Dr. Amber Willis, TeachingWorks
Berkeley Everett, UCLA Math Project
Save the Date! November 4, 2021
7th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards
Apply Now for the 2021 Delaware STEM Educator Awards!
|
|
Who Was the First Person to Win Two Nobel Prizes? |
|
Marie Curie, a native of Poland, emigrated to France to continue her studies, embarking
on a career that would lead to historic scientific contributions. She discovered polonium with her husband, Pierre, produced pure specimens of radium, and coined the term “radioactive.” She did not let fear or years of enduring anti-immigrant bias in France stand in her way, becoming the first person to win two Nobel Prizes, the first in Physics for research on spontaneous radiation and the second in Chemistry for the isolation of pure radium.
|
|
STEM Legacy
STEM Sustainer
STEM Network
STEM Business
STEM Friends
STEM Gifts in Kind
|
|
Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education
100 W. 10th Street, Suite 612
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tel: 302.397.0034 | Fax: 302.397.0036
|
|
©2021 Delaware Foundation for Science & Math Education
501(c)(3) Education nonprofit dealing with K-16 STEM education in Delaware schools.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
