STEMPOSIUM: To Inclusion and Beyond
Wednesday, October 30 from 12:00-5:30pm
​​​PSEC's signature event the "STEMposium: To Inclusion and Beyond" on Wednesday, October 30 from 12:00-5:30pm. This event is an opportunity to bring together collaborators in STEM education and industry and members of the Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective and the Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem.​​​
Our agenda includes Dr. Joeletta Patrick, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Champion at NASA Langley Research Center as our Keynote Speaker, Councilwoman Nina Ahmad ​presenting a citation for STEM Equity Week, Meteorologist Brittney Shipp as our Emcee, and our sessions: Looking Into the Future of STEM, Insights from the Cramp Community of Practice, and Reflections on STEM pathways.
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Keynote Speaker
We are thrilled to have Dr. Joeletta Patrick as the STEMposium’s Keynote Speaker. Dr. Patrick, is currently serving on a two-year detail assignment to NASA Langley Research Center as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Champion.
Dr. Patrick will share her personal journey that brought her to NASA, including what inspired her during childhood and how she pursued her interests through education. She will also speak to best practices around community-based STEM, the importance of collaborative, cross-disciplinary work in the field, and her current work on DEIA at Langley Research Center.
Councilwoman
Nina Ahmad, Ph.D., believes in the power of people to make positive change and advocates for equity for all. Dr. Ahmad received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a Molecular Genetics Postdoctoral Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University. She served as a Deputy Mayor in Mayor Jim Kenney’s first term, where she was the first Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Cabinet member ever in a Philadelphia mayoral administration, and established the Department of Public Engagement; a first such department for the City.
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As an At-Large City Councilmember, Dr. Ahmad will use her experience as a scientist and activist to find responsible, evidence-based solutions to address Philadelphia’s critical priorities.
Meteorologist
Brittney Shipp is a meteorologist for NBC10’s First Alert Weather Team. You can watch Brittney’s live forecasts weekday evenings.
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A five-time Emmy®-nominated and Emmy award-winning journalist, Brittney earned a bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has also earned a Certificate of Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University. Having combined her passion for children’s education and meteorology, Brittney wrote and published the children’s book, The Meteorologist in Me. She has shared her book with over 35,000 students, including international audiences in Cuba and Australia.
Agenda*
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12:00 - 1:00pm Registration and light fare
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1:00 - 1:10pm Welcome: Betsy Payne, Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem Manager
Emcee: Brittney Shipp, ​​Meteorologist, NBC10’s First Alert Weather
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1:10 - 1:20pm Citation Presentation: Nina Ahmad​
Philadelphia City Council Member at Large​
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1:25 - 2:10pm Session #1: Insights from the Cramp Community of Practice
The Partnership Community of Practice (PCoP) at William Cramp Elementary school is a project of the PSEC K-12 Workgroup. PCoP brings STEM partners into Cramp to increase aligned, high-quality and culturally competent STEM experiences for students. In this session, panelists will unpack the process and learnings from establishing new partnerships with a K-5 school and delivering culturally responsive approaches, in-school STEM experiences across K-5 grade levels, OST professional development for aftercare providers and running a family STEM event.
Presenters​:
Jamie Shuda, Director of Outreach, Education, and Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Co-Founder and Director, Project BioEYES
Elias Corbin, Community School Coordinator at William Cramp Elementary School, City of Philadelphia
Hollie Barattolo, Assistant Director of Professional Development, The Franklin Institute
Michael (Cabbie) Cabán, Education Programs Manager, The Franklin Institute
Leslie Grace, Director, Elements of the Community, Inc.
Suzanne Safran, Education Director, Riverbend Environmental Education Center
Alyssa Evringham, Assistant Manager of Education, Center for Aquatic Science
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2:15 - 3:00pm Session #2: Reflections on STEM Pathways
Current post-secondary students and recent graduates share reflections on their experience so far on a STEM career pathway. Panelists will highlight opportunities and challenges along their pathway and will focus on the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their gender, race, or background.
Presenters:
Kamal Carter, Senior Field Prototype Engineer, Boston Dynamics
Gabriela Alfaro, Engineer, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW)
Imani Dixon, Chemical Engineering Student, Drexel University
Daniel Miller-Uueda, STEAM Curriculum Specialist, School District of Philadelphia (Facilitator)​​
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3:05 - 3:50pm Session #3: Looking into the Future of STEM
What will STEM careers of the future look like? In this session, STEM professionals share their insights and predictions about current and future cutting-edge technologies and the skills needed to be ready for emerging STEM careers. Speakers will discuss the increasing demand for STEM professionals across various industries such as data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and renewable energy and the need for continuous learning and adaptability as technology and industry trends continue to evolve at a rapid pace.​
Presenters:
Ivana Seric, Senior Product Scientist, Zelus Analytics
Jessica Tilli, Director of Math for the School District of Philadelphia
Jeremiah Oteh, Founder, CULTURAL.IP
Sinclair Wu, Co-founder & CEO, RightON Education
Nick Monzi, CEO & Co-Founder, Learn Fresh (Facilitator)​​
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3:55 - 4:25pm Presenting Keynote Speaker: Diana Lievano, PSEC's Executive Director
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Joeletta Patrick
Program Manager at NASA Langley Research Center
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4:30pm Program Concludes
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4:30 - 5:30pm Reception and Recognitions Ceremony
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