What STEAM programs have impacted you and your family?

I went to school at 28 for a career change and earned an A.A.S in Hearing Instrument Science. It has changed my life, and now I can use my knowledge and the knowledge of others to help my community with their hearing needs. Hearing connects people to each other and the outside world. It is a subject most people know very little about, and I’m passionate about spreading the knowledge. The science/health community is learning more everyday about the consequences of going untreated when one has hearing loss. When I fit someone with hearing aids, and they cry from the joy of hearing their loved ones again, it’s a profound moment.
– Taylee Rose Gregg

My daughter went to STEAM camp at Jones Academy last summer. It was her first time, and she loved it so much that she has asked about this year’s application about once a week. We have already sent her application for this year. More than that, though, she has decided that she loves engineering. She’s only 10 years old and is taking engineering classes at school. She also really appreciated how much she felt like she belonged.
– Seth-Amy Hotchkiss

I am a proud Choctaw tribal member. I went to HVAC/R Technician school (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration) with the support of our Tribe, while supporting my family. I went straight in the field, learning the industry after graduating head of class. After several years on the field, I went to work for CNO as an HVAC technician, later a Tech Manager and was then promoted to MEP Manager. After years of supporting our casinos, travel plazas, government and health facilities with plumbing, HVAC and electrical projects, repairs and replacements, I saw the need for HVAC services for our community. The experience working for CNO gave me more knowledge and leadership skills necessary to open my own business in McAlester, Oklahoma. I now serve our community providing them better quality of life through better indoor air quality. With the help of the Choctaw Small Business Development, we are on track to succeed and be able to give back to the community.
– David Redenius

FIRST has changed my life. I can honestly say I don’t think I would be where I am today without FIRST!
– Grayson Estes

I.M.S.A (Illinois Math and Science Program) Found in middle school, showed me the roadmap to science after school. I went on to work with Pfizer on the emergency COVID relief engineering team, then on to bringing green solutions to MI through Consumers Energy as an Energy Engineer. I now teach a start-up Stemletics, where we teach kids math and science using sports technology to kids of Flint, MI affected by the water crisis. I found kids love science especially when given to them in a interactive assignment using sports analysis. STEM gave me opportunity so that we could use STEAM to give even greater opportunity to younger children.
– Rico Lee Johnson

My daughter enjoyed the robotics she tried out at a Vo-Tech class and programming (coding) it.
– Kim Reich

My kids loved Bug Camp and Drone Camp!
– Haley James

FIRST Lego League.
– Karla Eubanks