As a woman in STEM at Penn State, sometimes it can feel isolating, as it is traditionally a male-dominated field. However, there are many programs and organizations you can become involved in to help break down these gender barriers, as well as find community. First, there is the […]
First-Year Experience as a STEM Major
This week for my blog, I will talk about my experiences this first year as a STEM major. My Penn State journey all started in the summer, as I chose to do the Summer Excelerator Program. However, I didn’t even know I was doing this program till May, […]
Teaching Sustainability in School
To continue on the topic of sustainability from last week, I would like to talk about sustainable education in public K-12 schools. Currently, the majority of United States teachers feel as though they don’t have enough support to teach their students about sustainable development. Meanwhile, in other countries […]
Public Policy Outline
Bagging the Problem: The Case for Eliminating Single-Use Plastic Bags Introduction Since the first Earth Day in 1970, we have accomplished many environmental victories throughout the years. For instance, we got the Clean Water Act passed in 1972, the Toxic Substances Control Act passed in 1976, […]
About me!
For this week, I have decided to take a break from the interviews and share my own journey in STEM. A little about me: I grew up north of Pittsburgh and played lacrosse all throughout high school. I am very interested in the environment, and some of my […]
Introductory Draft
Bag it up: Implications of Single-Use Plastic Bags Update: I just realized that the UPUA recently voted to pass a resolution in support of a plastic bag tax at Penn State, which will go into effect in the 2024-2025 school year. Therefore, I am going to keep this […]
Seventh Interview: Mary
For our next interview, we have my grandmother, Mary. One of the things Mary likes to do most is crochet. Crocheting has always held a special place in her heart, as she loves to make things for her family. My mom said, that growing up her mom would […]
Sustainable Schools, Sustainable Futures: The Investment Imperative
Beneath the asphalt of our traditional public school playgrounds lies a world of untapped potential. It’s a world where solar panels power classrooms, where rainwater nourishes gardens, and where every decision is made with an eye toward a sustainable future. But this vision isn’t reserved for the distant […]
Sixth Interview: Melinda
Next up, we have Melinda, my mom’s friend. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and outside of work she enjoys gardening, hiking, and playing the piano. First, I asked her about her childhood. She said, “My childhood was marked by noticeable gender differences, especially in expectations regarding career […]
Fifth Interview: Ann
Next up we have my Aunt, Ann B. She was born in Dubois, PA, and now lives about 45 minutes from that area. Some of her interests and hobbies include taking her dogs for walks in the woods, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and hanging out […]