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When should parents start preparing their children for STEM opportunities and careers? Earlier than many of us think.

In this Parent Perspective episode of the Black Girls Do Engineer Podcast, Kara Branch responds to the conversation from “The STEM Gap Starts Early: What We’re Missing in K–8” and breaks down what early STEM exposure means from a parent’s point of view.

Kara challenges parents to stop waiting for children to say they’re interested in engineering, coding, robotics, AI, cybersecurity, or other STEM fields before introducing them to those experiences. Sometimes exposure has to come before interest.

She also discusses why parents should understand what STEM opportunities their child’s school actually provides, how to find outside resources when opportunities aren’t available at school, and why using technology isn’t the same as understanding or creating with technology.

Most importantly, parents don’t have to be engineers, scientists, or technology experts to raise STEM-ready children. You don’t have to be the expert—you can be the connector.

This episode ends with Kara’s Parent Homework: identify one STEM exposure gap in your child’s experience and find one opportunity to help fill it.

Because we’re not asking our children to choose their entire careers in elementary or middle school. We’re giving them enough exposure to discover what’s possible.

Parents, STEM can’t wait until high school—and we have homework too.

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Thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer: The Podcast.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, educator, mentor, or young person who needs to hear it.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review—it helps our stories reach more families and future innovators.

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 💖 Support the mission: Your donation helps us create access, confidence, and opportunity in STEM for girls nationwide. Donate at https://bit.ly/Donate2BGDE

Because this was never just a program—it’s a promise.

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If we wait until high school to introduce our children to STEM careers, we've already missed some of the most important years for building curiosity, confidence, and a sense of belonging in STEM.

In this episode of the Black Girls Do Engineer Podcast's Back-to-School Series, Kara Branch sits down with Shane Woods, Executive Director of Girlstart and longtime STEM education leader, for a transparent conversation about what's happening in K–8 STEM education right now—and why early access matters.

Shane brings years of experience from the classroom, school district leadership, and the broader STEM education ecosystem to discuss what she's seeing firsthand: where progress is happening, where gaps remain, and what parents, educators, community organizations, industry, and funders need to understand about preparing children for the future.

Together, Kara and Shane explore what STEM equity actually looks like in practice and why access to science class alone isn't enough. They discuss the importance of hands-on engineering, coding, technology, problem-solving, mentorship, career exposure, and opportunities that allow children to see themselves as STEM thinkers and creators.

They also tackle an important question:

Are we sometimes trying to fix in high school what we should have addressed in elementary school?

This conversation isn't about placing more responsibility on teachers. It's about recognizing that teachers cannot—and should not—have to be a child's entire STEM ecosystem. Families, schools, nonprofits, universities, corporations, and communities all have a role in creating meaningful STEM pathways for young people.

For parents, educators, STEM professionals, and anyone investing in the next generation, this episode challenges us to stop waiting for children to find STEM and start intentionally bringing STEM opportunities to them earlier.

Because the brilliance is already there.

Our responsibility is to make sure every child has the opportunity to discover it.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer: The Podcast.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, educator, mentor, or young person who needs to hear it.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review—it helps our stories reach more families and future innovators.

 📲 Follow us on social @BlackGirlsDoEngineer for behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming events, and community highlights.

 💖 Support the mission: Your donation helps us create access, confidence, and opportunity in STEM for girls nationwide. Donate at https://bit.ly/Donate2BGDE

Because this was never just a program—it’s a promise.

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Season 2 of the Black Girls Do Engineer Podcast is officially here, and we’re kicking off our Back-to-School Series with a conversation every parent needs to hear.

Our teachers are working hard—but they cannot and should not have to carry the entire responsibility of preparing our children for the future.

In this episode, Kara Branch gets transparent about what families are walking into this school year. Teacher shortages, limited school resources, competing budget priorities, and a rapidly changing workforce can all impact the opportunities available to students—especially when it comes to advanced STEM exposure like engineering, robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies.

But this isn't about blaming teachers or schools.

It's about partnership.

Teachers are part of our children's village, but they shouldn't have to be the entire village.

Kara breaks down why parents must stay connected to what their children are learning, understand where they are academically, communicate with teachers before problems arise, reinforce learning at home, and intentionally seek opportunities beyond the classroom when schools don't have the resources to provide them.

She also discusses why supporting educators matters, the need for STEM professional development for teachers, and how schools, families, community organizations, industry, and STEM professionals can work together to give students stronger pathways to the future.

Most importantly, this episode challenges parents to move beyond asking, “How was school today?” and start asking, “What did you learn—and what do you need?”

Because our children's education is too important to leave in the hands of any one person or institution.

The teacher has a role. The school has a role. The community has a role. And parents have a role.

When we all show up, our children have a better chance to thrive.

Welcome to Season 2. We're going back to school—and we're building the village our children need to succeed.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer: The Podcast.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, educator, mentor, or young person who needs to hear it.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review—it helps our stories reach more families and future innovators.

 📲 Follow us on social @BlackGirlsDoEngineer for behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming events, and community highlights.

 💖 Support the mission: Your donation helps us create access, confidence, and opportunity in STEM for girls nationwide. Donate at https://bit.ly/Donate2BGDE

Because this was never just a program—it’s a promise.

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What happens when young women are given the opportunity to take flight?

In this special episode of the Black Girls Do Engineer Podcast, we hear directly from participants of the BGDE Drone Pilot Training as they reflect on their journey through hands-on aviation and drone technology.

From learning the fundamentals of drone operations and flight safety to building confidence behind the controls, these young women share what challenged them, what excited them, and how the experience changed the way they see themselves and their future careers.

Throughout the conversation, they discuss the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and the technical skills they developed while exploring one of the fastest-growing industries in STEM. They also reflect on earning new knowledge, connecting with mentors, and discovering career opportunities in aviation, engineering, robotics, surveying, public safety, filmmaking, logistics, and emerging technologies.

This episode is a celebration of curiosity, confidence, and what's possible when girls are given access to experiences that prepare them for the future of work.

Whether you're a student, parent, educator, or STEM advocate, you'll leave inspired by the voices of the next generation of innovators who are proving that the sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning.

🎧 Tune in and hear how these future STEM leaders are taking flight—one mission, one lesson, and one drone at a time.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer: The Podcast.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, educator, mentor, or young person who needs to hear it.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review—it helps our stories reach more families and future innovators.

 📲 Follow us on social @BlackGirlsDoEngineer for behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming events, and community highlights.

 💖 Support the mission: Your donation helps us create access, confidence, and opportunity in STEM for girls nationwide. Donate at https://bit.ly/Donate2BGDE

Because this was never just a program—it’s a promise.

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What happens when engineering becomes more than just a career—and turns into impact?

In this episode, Kara Branch sits down with Tai Prince, engineer, leader, and STEM advocate, to talk about how engineering skills can be used far beyond technical work to create real change in communities, organizations, and future generations.

Through this “Day in the Life” conversation, Tai shares how problem-solving, leadership, communication, and service all play a role in her journey as an engineer. From navigating engineering spaces as a Black woman to pouring back into the next generation through mentorship and advocacy, Tai reminds us that STEM is not just about what you build—it’s about who you impact.

This episode is a powerful reminder that engineering can open doors to leadership, influence, and purpose-driven work that extends far beyond the workplace.

🎧 Tune in for a real conversation about engineering, leadership, community impact, and using your skills to create change.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer: The Podcast.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, educator, mentor, or young person who needs to hear it.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review—it helps our stories reach more families and future innovators.

 📲 Follow us on social @BlackGirlsDoEngineer for behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming events, and community highlights.

 💖 Support the mission: Your donation helps us create access, confidence, and opportunity in STEM for girls nationwide. Donate at https://bit.ly/Donate2BGDE

Because this was never just a program—it’s a promise.

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What better way to celebrate Black Girls Do Engineer Day and seven years of impact than by hearing directly from the girls who are living the mission?

In this special anniversary episode, the microphones are turned over to some of our youngest Future of Tech Summer Camp participants. Through their own voices, they share what Black Girls Do Engineer means to them, what they learned during camp, and how hands-on experiences in engineering and technology are changing the way they see themselves and their futures.

From building and creating to discovering new technologies and making new friends, these girls remind us that confidence begins with opportunity. Their excitement, honesty, and imagination reflect exactly why Black Girls Do Engineer was founded seven years ago—to create spaces where Black girls are encouraged to dream boldly, explore fearlessly, and see themselves as the engineers, innovators, and leaders of tomorrow.

As we celebrate this milestone, we're reminded that our greatest measure of success isn't just the programs we've created—it's the voices, confidence, and limitless potential of the girls we serve.

Thank you to every student, parent, volunteer, educator, corporate partner, donor, and supporter who has been part of this seven-year journey. Because of you, thousands of girls have discovered that they belong in STEM.

Today, we celebrate seven years of impact.

Tomorrow, we continue building the future—one girl at a time.

Happy Black Girls Do Engineer Day! 💛🖤

🎧 Listen now and experience Black Girls Do Engineer through their eyes.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer: The Podcast.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, educator, mentor, or young person who needs to hear it.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review—it helps our stories reach more families and future innovators.

 📲 Follow us on social @BlackGirlsDoEngineer for behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming events, and community highlights.

 💖 Support the mission: Your donation helps us create access, confidence, and opportunity in STEM for girls nationwide. Donate at https://bit.ly/Donate2BGDE

Because this was never just a program—it’s a promise.

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What does it really mean to “see the whole picture” in STEM?

In this episode, Kara Branch sits down with Krystal Porter, Systems Engineer and technology leader, to break down what systems engineering actually looks like in the real world. From solving complex problems to connecting technology, strategy, and people, Krystal shares how systems engineers help organizations think bigger and operate smarter.

This conversation gives listeners a real “day in the life” look into systems engineering, including the technical and leadership skills required to succeed, how AI and emerging technologies are changing the workforce, and why critical thinking is essential in today’s STEM careers.

Krystal also shares her personal journey, lessons learned navigating technology spaces, and the importance of representation and visibility for women—especially Black women—in engineering and leadership roles.

If you’ve ever wondered how large systems, technologies, and teams all work together, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation about systems thinking, leadership, innovation, and seeing beyond just one piece of the puzzle.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer: The Podcast.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, educator, mentor, or young person who needs to hear it.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review—it helps our stories reach more families and future innovators.

 📲 Follow us on social @BlackGirlsDoEngineer for behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming events, and community highlights.

 💖 Support the mission: Your donation helps us create access, confidence, and opportunity in STEM for girls nationwide. Donate at https://bit.ly/Donate2BGDE

Because this was never just a program—it’s a promise.

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When people think about technology, they often focus on coding—but behind every app, website, and digital platform is someone intentionally building the experience users interact with every single day.

In this episode, Kara Branch sits down with Tamara Trotter, frontend engineer and technology leader, to break down what frontend engineering really looks like beyond the screen. From designing user-friendly experiences to solving technical problems in real time, Tamara shares how creativity, strategy, and engineering all come together in her work.

This conversation gives listeners a real “day in the life” look into software engineering, including the skills required to succeed, the challenges that come with working in tech, and how frontend engineers help shape the way people experience technology.

Tamara also shares her journey into engineering, the importance of representation in technology spaces, and why students—especially young Black girls—should know there is space for them in tech careers too.

If you’ve ever wondered who builds the digital experiences we use every day, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in for a real conversation about technology, creativity, problem-solving, and building what people actually experience.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer: The Podcast.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, educator, mentor, or young person who needs to hear it.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review—it helps our stories reach more families and future innovators.

 📲 Follow us on social @BlackGirlsDoEngineer for behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming events, and community highlights.

 💖 Support the mission: Your donation helps us create access, confidence, and opportunity in STEM for girls nationwide. Donate at https://bit.ly/Donate2BGDE

Because this was never just a program—it’s a promise.

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There’s a narrative out there about HBCUs, but the results tell a different story.

In this episode, Kara Branch sits down with Kia Smith, Regional Supplier Quality Manager, to talk about what it really looks like to go from an HBCU to leading at a high level in STEM. From managing global teams to overseeing multi-million-dollar portfolios, Kia’s career reflects what strong preparation and execution look like in real time.

This conversation goes beyond inspiration—it’s about outcomes. Kia shares how her HBCU experience shaped her confidence, discipline, and ability to lead, and why these institutions continue to produce some of the most capable and impactful talent in engineering, business, and beyond.

Together, they break down the connection between education, workforce readiness, and performance—and what it takes to not just enter the workforce, but stand out in it.

If you’re a student deciding your path, a parent guiding the next step, or a professional thinking about preparation and leadership, this episode is for you.

To learn more about Kia and her work, visit www.worldofkia.com

Because the truth is simple: HBCUs are not just creating opportunity - they are producing leaders.

🎧 Tune in and hear why the results speak for themselves.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer: The Podcast.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, educator, mentor, or young person who needs to hear it.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review—it helps our stories reach more families and future innovators.

 📲 Follow us on social @BlackGirlsDoEngineer for behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming events, and community highlights.

 💖 Support the mission: Your donation helps us create access, confidence, and opportunity in STEM for girls nationwide. Donate at https://bit.ly/Donate2BGDE

Because this was never just a program—it’s a promise.

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What separates someone who follows instructions from someone who leads, solves, and innovates?

In this episode, Kara Branch breaks down one of the most important—and often overlooked—skills in STEM: critical thinking. While many students are taught what to learn, far fewer are taught how to think, analyze, and solve problems in real-world situations.

Through the lens of a “day in the life” in STEM careers, this episode explores what critical thinking actually looks like on the job—from diagnosing problems and making decisions to navigating uncertainty without clear answers. Kara also highlights where the gaps exist today, sharing data on how students and even early career professionals are struggling with problem-solving and independent thinking.

This episode goes beyond awareness and focuses on action—what parents, educators, and communities can do now to build these skills early and intentionally.

Because in a world shaped by technology and automation, the ability to think critically isn’t just valuable—it’s essential.

🎧 Tune in to learn why critical thinking changes everything—and how to start building it today.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to Black Girls Do Engineer: The Podcast.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, educator, mentor, or young person who needs to hear it.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review—it helps our stories reach more families and future innovators.

 📲 Follow us on social @BlackGirlsDoEngineer for behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming events, and community highlights.

 💖 Support the mission: Your donation helps us create access, confidence, and opportunity in STEM for girls nationwide. Donate at https://bit.ly/Donate2BGDE

Because this was never just a program—it’s a promise.