1890 Library Deans and Directors: STEM/STEAM Day

The United States has developed as a global leader, in large part, through the genius and hard work of its scientists, engineers, and innovators. In a world that’s becoming increasingly complex, where success is driven not only by what you know, but by what you can do with what you know, it’s more important than ever for our youth to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information. These are the types of skills that students learn by studying science, technology, engineering, and math—subjects collectively known as STEM

The push for strong students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is of national concern. There are few areas as much in need of these teachers as Alabama, where fourth grade students rank 49th out of 50 states in math. The goal of this program is to create an opportunity for rising high school seniors and juniors throughout Huntsville to immerse themselves in the culture of science and technology in their hometown, with the hope that they will make connections between these subjects and their everyday lives. It is our mission to help these students understand the importance of math and science, prepare them for success in STEM-related concentrations at the college level, and put them on a path towards career readiness in STEM-related fields.

Dr Buddhini Samarasinghe is the founder of STEM Women and is a science communicator with a background in molecular biology and cancer research. Buddhini has authored a series of articles in Scientific American, titled “The Hallmarks of Cancer.” She provides science outreach through broadcasts on YouTube. Her science writing can be found at Jargonwall. Connect with Buddhini on Google+ or on Twitter @DrHalfPintBuddy