BGCA’s Sr. Director of Youth Development Programs & Innovation and Champion of Conservation Yetta Robinson is back sharing three scientists to inspire youth in your afterschool program.
Before arriving to BGCA, I spent the bulk of my professional career working at a zoological institution. I loved it. I learned so much and built relationships that still last to this day. One of the things I appreciated in my role was thinking about what diversity looks like in science fields, specifically in wildlife and conservation science. I imagine that part of the reason why I was (and still am) so passionate about diversity in STEM is because there were many days I was the only minority in the room.
Shortly before resigning from my position at the zoo, I began to research people of color in the field. I realized the importance of representation, even for me as an adult. That work is still ongoing for me, and I have discovered there are people of color—those who look like me—who have dedicated their lives to the sciences and are doing phenomenal work.
As we approach National STEM Day on November 8, consider researching and highlighting diverse voices in STEM at your Club or Youth Center. Here are three people whose work inspires me:
Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai was the founder of the Green Belt Movement, an organization that focuses on conservation and the well-being of people. In 2004, she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Activity Alert: Share the video below with youth about Wangari Maathai, and celebrate her work by planting a plant or tree at your Club or Youth Center. You could also start a farmstand garden like the youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson!
Robert Bullard
Robert Bullard is a researcher and is known as the “father of environmental justice.” He is is currently a Distinguished Professor at Texas Southern University.
ACTIVITY ALERT: Share the clip below with older youth and staff. Celebrate by challenging youth to build a city which includes homes, schools, libraries-all the things that make a city. Be sure they include waste facilities. Have them consider how pollution from waste impacts the people in the community. How can they reduce waste or ensure pollution doesn’t negatively impact community members? Give youth the chance to share their work either by presenting their cities to their peers or host a family event and display projects around the Club!
Mikaila Ulmer
Mikaila Ulmer is a young entrepreneur who runs a lemonade company, and a non-profit called the Healthy Hive Foundation. This foundation helps to conserve and educate the public on the importance of bees to our ecosystems.
ACTIVITY ALERT: Share the clip below with youth, then kick off a week of programming with the Summer Brain Gain: Pollinator Protector modules on Club Programs. While these modules are a part of our summer learning series, they can be implemented year-round. Boys & Girls Club staff can find activities for ages 6-9, 10-12, and 13-18.
Anyone can be a scientist. It takes a healthy dose of curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to solve problems. Young people tend to be naturally curious about the world around them, which makes them great scientists. Continuing to nurture these skills builds confidence in STEM subjects and ensures we have a world of future, diverse change makers. STEM is for everyone. It includes a multitude of disciplines and subject matters. It’s important that young people not only know about the variety of topics, but that there are people in these fields who look like them and have shared experiences. Exposure is key!
While my personal passion aligns with conservation science, STEM allows us to expand our thinking to not just life and ecosystems on Earth but the entire universe and our place within. With support from Thermo Fisher Scientific, BGCA created 5 NEW STEM activities this year for youth ages 6-8. These activities are part of the Space! badge, which takes youth on a hands-on journey through our universe.
Finally, celebrate National STEM Day on November 8 by entering the Your World, Your Universe contest on MyFuture running from November 4 – November 22.
Contest Details: National STEM Day is November 8. In celebration, it’s time to blast off into space! Complete the “Your World, Your Universe” activity under the Space! badge. The Club that completes the most activities will win $2,000 to support STEM learning. The contest runs from November 4 – November 22. Projects must be approved by staff through the MyFuture Staff Dashboard by 11:59PM ET on November 22 to qualify. Visit https://www.myfuture.net/contests for full contest information.
What are your members’ favorite STEM activities? How do you celebrate diversity at your Club? We want to share your best ideas! Comment below, on the BGCA Youth Development Facebook page, or email ClubXBlog@bgca.org.
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