Editor’s note: Commentary’s Spark series includes Spark of Innovation, spotlighting local engineers and scientists, to encourage Orange County students to see career possibilities for themselves in science, technology, medicine and engineering, and Spark a Passion for Science, highlighting teachers, administrators, parents, students and organizations focused on improving STEM education in Orange County schools. Bill Blanning and Laurie Smith of Science@OC coordinate the Spark series.
• How long have you been involved in STEM and/or science education and in what capacity? I have been in education for nearly 30 years as a teacher, coach and school administrator. My current role at the Tiger Woods Foundation involves focusing young people on career exploration in STEM fields with a goal of helping them successfully complete college and enter the workforce.
• How are you currently emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education? The Tiger Woods Foundation focuses young people on career exploration in STEM fields. By presenting the application of STEM education, young people can visualize their life beyond high school and set a course for their future. Courses are designed to supplement the student’s educational understanding from school by giving them real world application and hands-on experiences that bring to life all that STEM education has to offer. For example, students learn how to design and build scale models of rockets and bridges, program video games and robotic arms, and explore the benefits and challenges of eco-friendly engineering solutions.
• What do you see as the biggest single challenge in promoting and enhancing STEM education? What solution(s) would you recommend? The biggest challenge in promoting STEM education is making it have broad appeal. Schools and organizations involved in STEM need to do a better job of delivering information so that both boys and girls can identify how their passions are represented. Programs at Tiger Woods Learning Center provide a safe environment for all students to explore STEM and discover what appeals to them. Through our curriculum students learn that STEM is everywhere.
• What would be the most successful outcome of your work? What impact would it have? At Tiger Woods Foundation, we believe all kids should have an opportunity to attend college. Seeing students go through our programs, identify their passions, pursue them in college and enter the workforce with confidence would signal success.
• Who or what “sparked your passion for science”? When did you make your career decision? I entered the field of education as a result of a fifth-grade teacher who believed in a shy young girl uncertain of her future. My passion for education, including science, is realized every time a student begins to smile when they realize – “I can do this!”
• What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction? Watching ideas move from paper to implementation is very gratifying.
• Where did you get your undergraduate and advanced degrees, and what was your major and advanced field of study? I received my bachelor of science in kinesiology at Cal State Long Beach; my master’s in education administration from Azusa Pacific University and my doctorate in educational leadership from USC.
• What is the best advice you received that has helped further your career? The best advice I have received is to be confident and take risks.
• What would you tell students – especially girls, who are underrepresented in science and engineering careers – who think that math and science are “too hard” and may believe that STEM careers are beyond their reach? I wouldn’t tell them anything. I would instead SHOW them how STEM exists in their lives and how they use it every day to solve ordinary problems.