[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.29.3" custom_padding="||0px|||"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.29.3" custom_margin="-40px|auto||auto||"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Deaf STEMinists

March 8th was International Women’s Day, and we’ve been wondering when was the last time you met a deaf female scientist, mathematician, engineer, or medical professional? Women already make up such a small percentage of the STEM workforce, so finding deaf women in STEM might seem impossible. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that there are more around than you think.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics make up the four fields that will have the most significant impact on our future and include some of the highest-paid professions in the world, from doctors to computer programmers and data analysts. Those in STEM are not only highly-skilled, they are also highly educated, and while more women are earning degrees than men, more men work in these positions than women.

According to the National Girls Collaborative Project, women make up half of the total U.S. college-educated workforce, but only 28% of the science and engineering workforce. Even then, a higher concentration of women participates in social, biological, agricultural, and environmental life sciences compared to engineering, computer or mathematical sciences. What if we broke this down to look at the number of deaf women actively working in these fields? The percentage would shrink significantly.   

CSD Learns, in collaboration with General Motors, created a webinar series designed to help students, parents, and educators foster deaf students’ interest in STEM. Participants hear from deaf professionals who serve as both role models and resources for deaf students around STEM education. In the latest edition of the series, three deaf women professionals shared how they got into their respective fields as well as the challenges and opportunities that they faced as women in their work. The panelists included three women in the science, technology, and engineering fields.

See what we covered by watching the webinar or continuing to read below! 

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03roTUPKBG4&feature=youtu.be" _builder_version="4.4.7"][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_4,3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="1_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_image src="https://csdlearns.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/06/3-3.png" title_text="3-3" _builder_version="4.4.8" hover_enabled="0" alt="Photo of Alicia, a deaf role model, smiling"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Ashley is a Medical Lab Technician from Bowling Green, KY. Although she was interested in horticulture, science was never her favorite subject growing up. It wasn’t until her late teens that she discovered that she liked hands-on experiments and problem-solving. When she got to university, she eventually had to declare her major and chose biology. The field of biology was so broad and seemed to offer many different avenues of study. She became interested in lab work, where she could experiment with chemicals and specimens. After graduating, she found out about lab sciences and never looked back. What a great STEMinist!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_4,3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="1_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_image src="https://csdlearns.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/06/2-2.png" title_text="2-2" _builder_version="4.4.8" hover_enabled="0" alt="Photo of Johanna, a deaf role model, smiling"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Johanna was born in Germany to American parents. Growing up, she didn’t have access to language until she was nine years old. While she struggled to understand speech and language, she quickly picked up on mathematics. Eventually, Johanna became exposed to ASL and was better able to communicate, but says math was the first thing she understood. Her fascination with the subject, and her confidence in her ability to do it well, led her to explore other topics. When the opportunity to attend a nine-week Computer Science summer program came up, she jumped on the chance. This fostered her interest in coding. She would eventually intern at NASA, where she discovered a knack for engineering. Currently, as a STEMinist, she develops software for aircrafts at NASA’s Edwards Airforce Base in California.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_4,3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="1_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_image src="https://csdlearns.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/06/1-1.png" title_text="1-1" _builder_version="4.4.8" hover_enabled="0" alt="photo of Melissa, a deaf role model, smiling"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

STEMinist Melissa is a UX integration Designer for United Airlines. Growing up, she was always interested in art and design. She initially planned to study industrial design but instead followed in her parent’s footsteps to study architecture and urban planning. Her heart, however, was not in it, so she eventually started working for Apple. She liked the ability to problem solve with customers, which sparked her interest in technology and accessibility. During her grad studies in Urban Planning, she got the opportunity to study deaf space at Gallaudet and discovered a passion for the technical side of designing integrative experiences. This was the catalyst for her pursuit of a career in UX (user experience), which allows her to create accessible features for United Airlines to use in their aircrafts.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Three Things Your Can Do To Inspire Future STEMinists

Introduce role models

Sometimes seeing is believing. Films and media predominantly present men as leaders in STEM-related careers. Lack of deaf women in STEM can perpetuate the stereotype that women are not fit to do the same job. Although there have been increases in the number of females represented in science and medicine, it hasn’t been the same for technology and engineering. Fields that are still widely considered to be a boy’s club. This is equally true for the visibility of deaf women in these fields; however, there are more online resources and databases led by deaf women. Check out some of the following to find more:

• Atomic Hands
• Health Signs Center
• Amelia the Archeologist
• Julia Velasquez: Xploration Station’s First Deaf Student Astronaut 

Be champions for their success

Johanna experienced pushback when she was recommended for an advanced math class. Thanks to the advocacy of her parents, counselor, and even the Superintendent of schools – she was able to level up. Girls, especially deaf girls, may experience pushback due to doubts about their capabilities. Be ready to speak up and advocate for them in spaces and places that may not be ready

Be a mentor

Whether you are an educator or someone working in any of those fields, take the lead on creating opportunities to foster your students’ interest in STEM. Take someone under your wing, provide them with an internship, start an after school club – whatever you can do to give extracurricular learning opportunities and support, do it.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_divider _builder_version="3.29.3"][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Be sure to sign up to receive updates from us about our upcoming webinars! You don't want to miss them!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_button button_url="https://pages.services/csdlearns.com/csd-learns-interest/" button_text="SIGN UP NOW" button_alignment="center" module_class="grad-btn" _builder_version="4.4.7"][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.29.3" custom_padding="||0px|||"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.29.3" custom_margin="-40px|auto||auto||"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

STEM Education is Everywhere!

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) are important fields of study in our modern world. Because new technology and innovation lead to increased job opportunities in these fields, early interest in STEM can lead to a promising and fulfilling future career. But not everyone gets inspired through traditional classroom methods like reading a textbook or watching a lecture, which creates a need for informal STEM Learning!

Many young people discover their interest in STEM outside of the classroom on a trip to a museum, a science center, or even just a walk out in Mother Nature herself. Actively engaging your deaf and hard of hearing student or child in this way can activate a life-long interest in the pursuit of STEM education and professions.  

Don’t take it from us, take it from the 4 deaf scientists that joined CSD Learns’ webinar series on Best Practices in STEM Education for parents and educators of deaf and hard of hearing students. The scientists share how exposure to informal and nonformal learning environments propelled them into their respective STEM fields.   

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-cGCZhVpic&feature=youtu.be" _builder_version="4.4.7"][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Here are 6 tips on how deaf educators and parents can jumpstart your student’s informal STEM learning

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_4,3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="1_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_image src="https://csdlearns.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/06/Adventure.gif" title_text="Adventure" _builder_version="4.4.8" hover_enabled="0" alt="Gif of Frodo running with the text %22I'm going on an adventure!%22"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Go outside 

The world is made up of many complex ecosystems just waiting to be explored. Whether it’s catching bugs, fishing for tadpoles or hiking through the woods in your backyard, Mother Nature is sure to inspire curiosity.  

“Growing up, I always loved going to the beach. I became interested in ocean life after observing baby turtles migrating to the ocean.” – Jennifer Reilly 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_4,3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="1_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_image src="https://csdlearns.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/06/Puppies.gif" title_text="Puppies" _builder_version="4.4.8" hover_enabled="0" alt="gif of a row of adorable lab puppies"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Get a pet, or a few pets  

Students that learn to take care of animals not only gain skills in responsibility, but also in how to care for another living being. Biology is the foundation of medical practice for both humans and animals, therefore having a pet could potentially save lives.  

“I wanted a dog like every other kid, but my parents were allergic. When I was 5, my parents let me pick any other pet, so I got a gecko. 1 turned into 3, then 4, then 10! From there I became interested in all types of animals and was inspired by the great Steve Irwin to explore wildlife.” – Brandon Call  

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_4,3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="1_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_image src="https://csdlearns.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/06/Plants.gif" title_text="Plants" _builder_version="4.4.8" hover_enabled="0" alt="gif of a man wiping down his plants' leaves with the text %22it's my best friend%22"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Buy a plant…and keep it alive!  

Most people would say that you need a green thumb – or a natural affinity for growing plants – to keep them alive. It’s really just science; all you need is water, light and oxygen. Through Photosynthesis, green plants and certain other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy, which keeps them alive. 

“Everyone can grow a plant.” – Brittany Comegna 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_4,3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="1_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_image src="https://csdlearns.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/06/Travel-the-world.gif" title_text="Travel-the-world" _builder_version="4.4.8" hover_enabled="0" alt="Cartoon gif of four characters (a moon, a butterfly, a dog and a frog) walking around the world"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Send your student abroad

Life outside of the United States is often different and exciting. Different cultures have ways of living that make us question how and why we – and others – behave the way we do. Unique architecture could inspire students to explore the composition of buildings, exotic fruits could lead them to question the possibility of cross-breeding, or while flying across an ocean, they might ponder the mechanics or physics of how a large metal vehicle can soar through the skies. Travel really makes one think. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_4,3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="1_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_image src="https://csdlearns.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/06/Science-Camp.gif" title_text="Science-Camp" _builder_version="4.4.8" hover_enabled="0" alt="cartoon gif of a kid in a lab coat and goggles holding a beaker"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Enroll your students in a summer or afterschool learning program 

Space camp, chemistry camp, marine biology camp…take your pick. There are plenty of seasonal learning opportunities for students across the U.S. Whether you prefer a send-away camp or an after-school program, consider enrolling your students in an interactive, fun and stimulating learning environment where they can explore all that science has to offer.   

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_4,3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_column type="1_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_image src="https://csdlearns.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/06/Pizza.gif" title_text="Pizza" _builder_version="4.4.8" hover_enabled="0" alt="Gif of Ellen Degeneres in a big crowd saying %22I will order pizza%22"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.4.7"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Encourage them to seek knowledge everywhere 

There is so much information out there and now, more than ever before. This digital phenomenon has made it easier for students to practice the scientific method wherever they are. Even ordering pizza online can take them through the 6 steps of the process such as: asking yelp for nearby restaurants, reading reviews, ordering, eating the pizza, rating it and leaving a review online. 

“Ask Google, research and go down the rabbit hole,” advises Brandon Call.  

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_divider _builder_version="3.29.3"][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.7"]

Be sure to sign up to receive updates from us about our upcoming webinars! You don't want to miss them!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.29.3"][et_pb_button button_url="https://pages.services/csdlearns.com/csd-learns-interest/" button_text="SIGN UP NOW" button_alignment="center" module_class="grad-btn" _builder_version="4.4.7"][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

On the evening of October 16, 2019 at 7 p.m. EST, CSD Learns hosted their first webinar to kick off the STEM Education Webinar Series, sponsored in partnership with General Motors.

These STEM education webinars aim to provide an authentic and interactive learning experience for K-12 deaf and hard of hearing educators who teach in STEM. This series will also provide an opportunity to share resources and encourage the deaf community to engage in the dialogue to improve STEM education for deaf and hard of hearing students.

During the first STEM Education webinar, we had a number of participants that were interactive with Scott Cohen, our moderator who is a deaf doctoral student focusing on Science Education. Our participants asked great questions which showed the passion for STEM education!

In Scott’s presentation, he covered:

• How to shift from rote memorization of scientific knowledge to focusing on increasing understanding by applying scientific principles
• How to raise awareness in the deaf community about opportunities for engaging in scientific ASL discourse
• How various factors impact the low enrollment of the deaf and hard of hearing in STEM fields
• How to create a bridge between science education and deaf education to improve science pedagogy for deaf and hard of hearing students

This webinar series aims to create a bridge from theory to practice, from field professional to educators, and from researchers to practitioners.

By providing virtual STEM education resources to the DHH community, we hope to increase diversity in STEM fields and offer opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing educators to better understand how they can improve STEM education with their students.

Each month, Scott will discuss STEM-related topics with special guests.

In January 2020, we will be releasing a toolkit featuring four fascinating Deaf/Hard of Hearing role models spotlighting on their STEM areas of expertise. This toolkit will consist of four weeks’ worth of content and discussions covering the instruction of STEM topics in your classroom.

Disappointed that you missed our kick off? No worries! You can watch the webinar on-demand!

About our moderator ... 

Scott Cohen is a Deaf doctoral student in Science Education with interest in investigating and sharing the research on science teaching and learning with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students and adults. Along with his studies, Scott has presented at local, national, and international conferences on the topic of communicating science in ASL, intersectional of DHH and science identity, and teacher education. 

Be sure to sign up to receive updates from us about our upcoming webinars! Looking for more STEM Education Resources? Click Here.