STEM Journeys of Two Young Women of Color – Part 1

STEM Journeys of Two Young Women of Color – Part 1 – Podcast Episode 218 | Classnotes Podcast 218

Classnotes Podcast (January 24, 2022). In this first of two podcast episodes, Dr. Stephanie Garcia talks with two young women of color who are passionate about their pursuit of STEM.

CSO Alumna Isela, who identifies as a Chicana, is a sophomore at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She describes her transition from a senior graduating high school during the pandemic to a first-generation student at a large Hispanic-serving university. She first planned to major in math but has recently decided to explore more coursework and consider going into STEM education.

IDRA’s STEM intern, Adriana, describes her current experiences as a Hispanic female in male-dominated STEM courses in high school. She is determined to push through the barriers she is facing to pursue a career in biomedical engineering. She is currently applying to multiple universities that have strong engineering programs.

Stephanie directs IDRA’s Texas Chief Science Officers program and VisionCoders program.

Send comments to podcast@idra.org.

Show length: 15:24 min.

Resources

IDRA Texas Chief Science Officers Program

CSO International website

We Create Hope Within Our Communities – Before and During COVID-19, Texas Chief Science Officers Advocate for STEM, by Elizabeth Alexander, Shreya Chaudhary & Isela Herrera, IDRA Newsletter, June-July 2020

Culture and confidence collide in LEE’s Mariachi Unido Ensemble, North East ISD video

Computer Science = Problem Solving – IDRA Infographic

Alamo STEM Ecosystem website

First Gen Scholars – non-profit that works to support first gen college students

Videos: Student Panelists & Keynoters – Future Inventors, Innovators and Entrepreneurs, at the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice Convening, March 2, 2020. Two CSO students were among the six speakers.

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Show Notes

Isela and Adriana begin by outlining their high school backgrounds.

Isela and Adriana talk about the endorsements they completed in high school, including their STEM courses. They also discuss the value of dual enrollment classes in preparing them for college.

Adriana describes the gender barrier she has faced, as one of the only girls in her high school math and science courses.

Isela talks about her identity as a Chicana, and the cultural experiences that have shaped her growing up.

Adriana explains how playing in a mariachi band has helped her to better connect with her Hispanic culture.

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