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My STEM Journey - Dr. Helen Urpi Wagner Coello

10/10/2024

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Dr. Helen Urpi Wagner Coello is a first-generation Latina postdoc in STEM education, dedicated to sharing and uplifting the stories of undocumented and DACA students. With a background in biology, she now focuses on how schools can better support students from diverse backgrounds. Helen is passionate about creating spaces where everyone feels they belong and can succeed. Through her work and social media, she hopes to inspire others like her to keep moving forward and reaching for their goals.
 
My STEM journey has not been completely linear. I did not choose Biology as a major until after I got accepted in my university for a completely different field. I struggled to feel smart during high school, and even though I knew I was productive and proactive and that I was good at having the energy to manage many things, I did not feel smart enough to do science. As I got my welcome package for my University, I convinced myself to prove all my own thoughts wrong and change my major to Biology. I reached out to multiple advisors until I found one that helped me change my major just in time for the beginning of the semester. There were so many people who told me to stick to a non-STEM major, and many “friends” who mocked my decision to go into Biology. In my experience, there will be many who try to discourage you from the path you want, who will tell you to stay on a different track, one without change, don’t. In my case it was advisors, but it can be family, friends, and even role models, however, please remember that this life is yours to celebrate, explore and experience, and you deserve to figure out what makes you passionate.

As I got into the end of my Bachelors, I was concerned when professors kept telling me that being in STEM meant I would lose all my “non-STEM” friends as I grew away from them. I continued my path, but I was worried about losing my dear friends and scared about the possibility of losing my ability to talk to others outside my field. However, that never happened is still not the case. Many professors will try to scare you away from a social life and be disappointed in the social energy you have and your ties to different communities, but don’t listen. Every circle, community and social setting that supports you is worth pursuing and keeping if you want to do so. They all build parts of who you are and allow you to center your life without being overwhelmed by your identity as a scientist or academic.

For me, it has been difficult to keep my identity as a Latina, as first gen, as a Peruvian, as a happy and excited and energetic individual throughout my time in higher education. Many people have internal biases that if you are too happy, laugh too much, dress with too many colors, and present yourself as “girly” or too dressed up, that you’re dumb. I have been told to hide or tone down parts of who I am to fit a particular image, but I have never understood what my personality and expression have to do with science, or the quality of my work. I have struggled with these biases through every position I have held so far, and unfortunately, this struggle is something I have to learn to address by advocating for myself.

I went into my PhD without getting a master’s, which by the way, is a possibility. Many students don’t know that a master’s is not required to apply for a PhD. Both degrees have their pros and cons, but if one of your goals is a PhD and you’re passionate and driven, you might want to give this pathway a chance. My advice would be to do the following:
  1. Get into research in undergrad for at least a year
  2. Make a lot of connections with faculty, PIs and graduate students
  3. Figure out a topic you want to study that drives you
  4. Find a list of PIs that study the same field with a similar focus
  5. Email the PIs on the list for a meeting to discuss their research, if they don’t answer, email their graduate students
  6. Make plans to apply to programs with the PIs you connected with most
  7. Remember that the programs you apply to don’t just have to do with the topic or field. You will also be in the program with the PI and graduate students for years, so make sure you also like their style (hands on vs hands off), their personalities, their methods of support, availability, ways of handling challenges, and so on

Although my PhD was focused on mosquito biology, genomics using bioinformatics, landscape ecology and pedagogical studies on citizen science, I changed over to STEM education research for my postdoc. I think something to note is that the field you focus on for your PhD is not going to hold you prisoner. Yes, it would be ideal to have your graduate program focused on what you would like to study post-graduation, but that is not the case [for] many. I have met dozens of faculty members whose PhD field is completely different [from] their current focus and they’re successful and happy with what they do. The process to change after graduation is similar as above from #2-7. You are able to change your field, you just have to have confidence and advocate for yourself, focus on your [transferable] skills and make sure to make those personal connections. Once you master the art of promoting your skill sets, you can copy and paste the same steps to any job you find interesting, even if it is not in academia with a university. 

For a postdoc position I have seen income be listed as low as $30,000 to as high as $80,000. It can be very difficult to land a postdoc position without following the advice above, because your communication skills, interest and connections, like in any other field, do matter. It is slightly humbling to spend 4-8 years studying in a PhD program for that starting salary, but really it depends on the trajectory you want to take. Your income can be influenced by your current skill sets, knowledge, the programs available the year you apply, and even your interview with the programs which convince your employer of the salary you should receive. For this reason, as well, it is important to make sure you research available programs, and their salary ranges to see what suits your needs at the time of application. I took 5 years to complete my PhD in Biology, where the average was 6 years in my university at the time I attended. This path can look very different for every person. The most important part is to remember your passion, your drive, to take care of yourself throughout, find community, things outside of the job that make you happy, and to remember that you’re worthy of the time and love you pour into yourself as you go through this journey if you decide this path is for you.

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My STEM Journey - Tatiana Castro

7/6/2024

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Tatiana Castro is a Colombian-American naturalist and bilingual environmental educator to learners of all ages. She loves to share her enthusiasm about how plants and people live on Earth together. Her favorite plants are from the tropics, especially the iconic Monstera deliciosa with its gorgeous big leaves.

One of my earliest memories with plants and the environment is rooted in my elementary school’s science club. In fifth grade, I had the opportunity to work on our school’s first garden. Growing up in suburban Miami, I had never gotten my hands in the soil so intensely, and that feeling, as well as the smell of mulch, will forever be in my core memories. That experience was so pivotal in my personal and professional development that I have now started my own environmental education business, Teachings by Tatiana, to continue this work and reach learners of all ages and interest levels in my community.

I wouldn’t say my path into this work was traditional. My entire family has careers in either the medical or financial field, so I was the odd one out. From a young age, I was always in awe of how the natural world works. My favorite books to read were children’s biology encyclopedias. I’d spend every weekend at the local park or beach staring up into the sky or digging in the sand, warmed by the rays from the Sun. I would also watch Bill Nye or David Attenborough on TV all the time and loved how they made science so fun and interesting. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized I never saw anyone who looked or sounded like me doing that kind of work, and I wanted to pave my own way in science education.

In high school, I learned the terms “botany” and “environmental science”. It was then I had the epiphany that those two topics were what I wanted to dedicate my life to teaching others about. I loved being outside and discovering why plants grow and what they can be used for, so I looked for higher education programs that could teach me about science and how to interpret natural phenomena. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and then went on to pursue a master’s degree in Museum Studies. Both of those fields provided me with a perspective on how people interact with and learn about science in a way that is so unique. It has informed my own teaching philosophy which is inquiry-based, object-based, and culturally aware. 

My first full-time job was as an Education Program Assistant and then I moved up to a Education Specialist within a few years. Typically, to get a start in environmental, or outdoor education, you can work part-time while you’re in school! I completed a couple of internships as an undergraduate student, which gave me some spending money as a student, but also great experience to take with me after I graduated and looked for jobs. As you progress, a bachelor’s degree becomes a minimum requirement for full-time or coordinator roles. While the barrier to entry can be fairly low, the pay can vary. Entry level positions may be lower around $30,000 and supervisory roles like an Education Director could be $90,000 or higher with more education and experience under your belt. Many of these jobs lie within the nonprofit space, and while they are extremely rewarding, it is important to be realistic and be aware that these salaries aren’t as competitive as other fields. However, this work is important, and as more people, especially Latinas, start to talk about their compensation and advocate for themselves, the needles can change! Most importantly, my guiding light in this work is knowing that regardless of the advances humans make over time, we are always going to be dependent on natural resources to eat, breathe, and take care of ourselves. At times, humans need to reconnect to the ancestral knowledge that may have been lost.

My passion has manifested in one of my largest professional accomplishments to date. I founded my own business, dedicated to bringing learners in touch with nature. Through my time working with other institutions, I noticed the shortcomings in the field. Barriers still very much exist for those who cannot afford to travel to or pay the entry fee to ticketed outdoor recreation areas. Even in my multicultural city of Miami, some places do not offer a robust Spanish language nature curriculum. My focus with my business is to reach Spanish-speaking populations with care to connect to the traditions, customs, and culture of Latin American countries. 

One of the biggest misconceptions about what I do is that I just talk about plants and nature with others. While that is the core of what I do, I truly consider the classes and curriculum that I curate to be experiences for others to embrace their curiosity, find bonds within their community, and reconnect to our innate wisdom of the Earth we have grown so disconnected to. I break down complex scientific concepts into hands-on activities or experiments that learners can take with them into their everyday life. I love the ah-ha moment learners have when they understand how they use plants in their everyday life or gain confidence in interacting with nature outside.

My journey as a Latina in STEM is still in its early stages, but I have learned a lot along the way. If you want to learn about environmental, outdoor, or science education, there are so many ways to get knowledge, not only through formal education. Mother Nature was my first teacher, and I learned a lot just by making observations, looking up information, and taking notes. Read as much as you can! Visit museums and parks! Buy a pair of binoculars or get a magnifying glass! Feeding your curiosity is an important first step. Organizations like Latino Outdoors, the National Park Service, or your local botanic garden offer many events to learn about nature in your area. If you pursue higher education, there are specific programs in environmental education, recreation, or you can even focus on a specific field of science and take some education classes too. 
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I’ll end with a message to Latinas that are looking to pursue a STEM degree: if you’re interested in STEM, you should definitely go for it! More of us are showing in such diverse and change-making spaces. While it may be hard to be the only woman or person with Latin heritage, we are resilient and deserving of showing up for ourselves and our community.
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Consejos-STEM Education

10/30/2020

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How can I reinforce STEM learning at school with my child at home?

Learning begins at home. Parents are their child’s first teacher and having a supportive home environment is a key factor. STEM is everywhere and there are many ways to incorporate it in your daily life. 

There are some simple ways to reinforce STEM learning at home. STEM activities can begin in your kitchen. Following a recipe requires mixing and measuring ingredients which incorporate mathematical concepts. Encouraging creative unstructured play and collaboration will develop some of the soft skills that are needed in STEM. You can also foster problem solving by using guiding questions to talk your kids thorough finding their own solutions. 

Here are some resources that you can use to reinforce STEM learning:
  • How to Incorporate STEM in the Kitchen
  • From Engineer to Stay at Home Mom
  • Why Creative Play is Important ; Everyday Ideas for STEM & STEAM Education?


What inspired you to pursue your doctorate?

Martha

In 2014, I decided to pursue a doctoral degree in Educational Technology Leadership from New Jersey City University.  At the time, I had served as an assistant principal for over ten years and felt that I needed a new challenge.  With a doctorate degree in educational technology I knew that I would be able to share the knowledge gained with my faculty to better serve our students’ needs while keeping me current in this rapidly changing field.  


Angelica
Learning has always been one of my passions. After getting a bachelor's degree and two master’s degrees the only next logical step for me was a doctorate. All of my life I wanted to achieve that level of education. Being a Latina with a doctorate makes me a part of a very elite group. Only .01% of doctoral degrees are earned by Latinas, and I’m one of them!  When the opportunity presented itself I jumped on it. With two weeks left before the deadline I took my GREs and applied. The rest is history.

What is the best age to expose children to STEM fields? Is it ever too late for someone to start their STEM journey?  

Children can be exposed to STEM fields from a young age, even when they are too young to use technology. The world is moving into a knowledge-based economy which makes it more important to learn STEM skills early on. Although screen time should be monitored and limited for young children there are many ways to prepare a foundation for future STEM learning and fostering STEM Skills. Toys or games that develop any of the following soft skills will help your young child develop the necessary foundation to prepare them for a successful future STEM journey.

  • Creativity 
  • Inquiry Skills 
  • Critical analysis 
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Initiative 
  • Communication
  • Problem solving 


My children are remote learning and I want to avoid doing technology-related activities with them because they’re in front of a computer all day. Can you recommend STEM-related activities I can do with them? 

Many parents are feeling the screen overload and balancing that with unplugged activities is not only a good idea but a necessary one. There are many unplugged activities that can be done at home. A simple Google search for “STEM unplugged activities” can uncover a plethora of fun activities, appropriate for your child’s age, using simple household materials that kids can do at home. 

The following websites offer great resources and ideas for your child to continue honing their STEM skills in a non-digital way.

  • Code.org 
  • https://www.erintegration.com/2017/05/16/technology-unplugged-activities/ 
  • https://www.nasa.gov/stem-at-home-for-students-k-4.html

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