Maya Ajmera of the Teacher

M STEM A G A Z I N E Ajmera MayaThe Society for Science & the Public Left or Right Brain? byMaya Chande Mary Ann Cannon Pratt & Whitney Women’s Edition Oct. 2018 \\220v Use it in class. Use the smart board. Use it at home. Send this link home with your students so they can share with their parents, connect and talk about STEM careers and how best to prepare.....together. Curiosity and learning are ageless. To understand STEM... ...you must DEFINE STEM, but you cannot define an acronym using the words it stands for; you must define the words the acronym stands for. Science: “The systematic accumulation of knowledge” (all subjects and careers) Technology: “The practical application of science” (all subjects and careers) Engineering: “The engineering method: a step by step process of solving problems and making decisions” (every subject and career) Math: “The science of numbers and their operations, interrelations, combina- tions, generalizations, and abstractions” Every career will use some form(s) For a moment, set aside any preconceived notions of what you think a STEM career is and use the above dictionary definitions to determine the skills used in any career field you choose. These definitions are the “real” meaning of STEM skills and STEM careers. We believe that the key to success in seeing higher graduation rates, improved testing results, student inspiration, creativity, excite- ment and career satisfaction rests in the hands Maya Ajmera of the teacher. The example and inspiration Wayne Carley of individual educators carries tremendous weight on a daily basis, greatly impacting the quality and effectiveness of the classroom environment. Left or Right Brain Our mission: Encourage curiosity, investiga- tion, inspiration, creativity, and innovation; the Maya Chande foundations of every career passion. Publisher / CEO Wayne Carley STEM Magazine Mary Ann Cannon STEM for Woman Magazine Pratt & Whitney STEAM Magazine Kim Carley STEM Magazine Corporation 2055 Barrett Lakes Blvd. NW Suite 928 Kennesaw, GA 30144 Gender and Thought http://www.stemmagazine.com Diversity in Chemistry / Part II STEM Magazine is a monthly subscription J. Salton, Ph.D. non-profit education publication for educators, Gary students, their parents and industry Shannon Nelson professionals. Read monthly in 67 countries, STEM Magazines strive to encourage the educator to better understand the importance Girls and Math of STEM skills, their use in every school Dr. Brunner subject, the need and ease of integration into Tom curriculum and the urgency for students to embrace STEM. Science literacy by Wayne Carley Maya Ajmera The STEM Action Grant program, meanwhile, invests in innovative, grassroots organizations, throughout Maya’s interest in philanthropy began the United States that are pursuing when she founded the Global Fund STEM opportunities for under-served for Children, which was developed on students. There are some really exciting the premise of helping extraordinary organizations around the country, such grassroots organizations led by coura- as Electric Girls in New Orleans, or geous leaders throughout the world. BioBus in New York City who are pro- “We invested small amounts of capital viding meaningful STEM experiences. into really innovative grassroots orga- The Society is building a network of nizations and, during my leadership, organizations who can eventually learn the Global Fund for Children invested from one another. millions of dollars into these innovative organizations,” Maya said. Maya mentioned,“We have had a tra- dition here at the Society of giving back That interest in philanthropy took and philanthropy through the enormous shape at the Society with their out- awards we give to students who partic- reach and equity programs. Two cut- ipate in our world-class science compe- ting edge philanthropic programs, the titions. In 2017, we provided over eight STEM Research Grants program and million dollars in awards to young peo- the STEM Action Grants program, ple from middle school through to high seek to ensure that all students, school seniors to help them pursue high- regardless of where they live or their er education. To date, we have award- socioeconomic level, can have access ed $220,000 to educators through our to quality STEM education and experi- STEM Research Grant program.” ences. Wayne: When did your passion for The STEM Research Grants program writing begin? invests in teachers who are building research programs and need up to $5,000 Maya: My passion for writing be- to help build that capacity. “We are gan when I was about eight years old. doing that across the country. In August, I wrote a lot of fairy tales and creative we gave $100,000 in small grants to 24 stories. I loved writing, but it wasn’t middle school teachers.” until I received a Rotary Graduate Fel- lowship to go to India where that writing really took hold and I started thinking about writing for children Every three days we would crack open on the issues of diversity. Through an egg to witness the growth of the my writing, I celebrate children -- the chicken embryo. Mr. Wilkerson made similarities and differences -- that all science fun. children share. I have authored over 20 award-winning children’s books. Additionally, I count Dr. Prem Sehgall, Some of my favorite books that I have my mentor in eighth grade, as anoth- co-authored are: Children from Austra- er big influence in my life. He was a lia to Zimbabwe, To Be an Artist, Be My botanist at East Carolina University Neighbor, and Every Breath We Take: A where I started doing bench research Book about Air. and learned about the growth of duck- weeds. I became a science fair junkie. Wayne: Whom or what was your greatest influence in both and why? Lastly, I am most inspired by those who give away their time, talent, and Maya: My greatest influences in treasure to worthy causes that make the writing are quite varied. I draw inspira- world a better place. Volunteerism and tion from children’s book authors and giving are great traditions in our coun- writers, ranging from Dr. Seuss to Judy try. I am most in awe of the $10 donor. Blume and Beverly Cleary to books like the Nancy Drew series. I also read Wayne: Any special challenges a lot as a child and really enjoyed bi- along the way thus far? ographies of scientists and engineers: Marie Curie, Benjamin Banneker, Eli Maya: One challenge I encoun- Whitney, Albert Einstein, and Rosalind tered upon coming to the Society four Franklin. I was mesmerized by their years ago was that we didn’t focus on lives and their work. equity and inclusion. I believed very strongly that the Society needed to I would also like to share my greatest make sure that young women, students STEM influence: my sixth grade teach- of color, and young people from rural er, Mr. Richard Wilkerson from Elm- parts of this country, all had the oppor- hurst Elementary School in Greenville, tunity to dream of becoming a scientist North Carolina. It was an under-re- or engineer if that’s what they wanted sourced school, but Mr. Wilkerson to do. I believe there should be no road managed to make science really fun. blocks. I’ll never forget the time he brought in an old incubator that enabled chicken eggs to mature. I’m really excited that one of our pro- Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and grams, Science News in High Schools, most prestigious science competition, reaches over 4,600 high schools, was a woman. which represents about 40 percent of high school students in this country. Wayne: What excites you about the Through our STEM Research Grant Society for Science & the Public? program, we’re providing small grants to teachers nationwide to help build Maya:I am energized by the young their science research programs. people, educators, scientists and engi- I’m also really proud of our science neers who I meet each and every day. research competitions, in which we are Through the Society for Science & making a point of seeking out more the Publics world-class competitions, diverse applicants. Nearly half of the award winning journalism and outreach finalists in the Intel International Sci- and equity programs, we are making ence and Engineering Fair (ISEF) are a tremendous impact on the world women, which is extraordinary. The around us. 2017 winner of the Regeneron Science Schools, which brings our high-quality, accurate journalism to classrooms across the country, we are making an extraordinary impact on students. As a science fair junkie and an alum- na of the Science Talent Search, I was inspired by science and discovery at a very young age, and I am thrilled to be giving back to the scientific community and providing the resources, tools and encouragement to motivate the next generation of scientific leaders. The students who participate in our competitions are the stewards of our future – they are poised to solve our world’s most intractable challenges. The educators we work with who engage, direct, teach and motivate students underscore our philosophy that talent is everywhere. Many of these educators work with us to engage under-served students and provide them with high quality STEM experiences. We are connecting with young women, people of color, and all students who have potential to make a difference in the world. Wayne: Why science literacy? Moreover, through our award winning Maya: Having excellent scientific journalism, Science News, we provide literacy creates knowledgeable citizens fact-based scientific reporting, inform- of the 21st century. We have to equip ing thousands of readers about the our young people with excellent scien- latest scientific breakthroughs and re- tific content.

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