STEMming in Stilettos with Dr. Toshia

Meet The Year 2020 Episode Summary

1. Thanks and Appreciations: I thanked the people who help make me go each day. My family- my husband, daughter and son. Hopefully, you will get to actually meet them one day.
2. Describe 2020 in one word. Can you? For me this year's one word description is Purposeful!!! I have been able to get focused on my purpose and specifically what does that purpose mean that I am supposed to be doing and saying. This year gave me opportunities that confirmed that purpose and I have to say that it has been AMAZING.
3. Top 10 Events or Happenings of 2020 (for me). Everyone is not going to agree on all of these and that's okay. These are the ones that meant something to me.

I hope you all keep listening as I continue to get better at this. If you know of anyone who sponsors podcasts, please consider sending them an episode. Thanks again for all of your support. Happy Holidays and see you next year.

Dr. Toshia

Support the show

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Main Points

1. Students have at their feet, a myriad of ways of learning. Formalized learning must change grow and adapt to keep up to, in essence, keep its relevance. We are losing the battle to keep kids engaged.

2. Dual enrollment vs. AP/IB. We talk about the pros and cons of the current system and how these options pulls kids, parents, and teachers in different directions.

3. We've got to stop stealing the joy from the learning process from kids. They are inquisitive and curious and we've taken the joy of discovery away from them. STEM Impressionists is bringing that back and giving leadership and ownership of learning to kids.

Angela DeHart Bio
Angela DeHart is the Founder and CEO of her STEM created non-profit business The STEM Impressionists. Previously she was a middle school FACS (Home Ec) turned STEM teacher with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). In addition to being nominated for FCPS Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2016 Angela was chosen as one of eight teachers in Virginia to receive the 2017 Virginia Lottery Super Teacher Award. Angela’s innovative nature, her steadfast dedication to continuous learning, and her passion for STEM has inspired the creation of a number of STEM opportunities for students: a Girls Coding Club, a week of student-directed activities focused on promoting the Hour of Code, and the creation of a STEM group called the STEM Impressionists. In the 2016-2017 school year the STEM Impressionists used their creativity and coding skills to become one of the 100 finalist in a youth-based international problem-solving competition; they placed 1st and 2nd in the Robert H. Herndon Memorial Science Competition; they traveled to Roanoke, VA to present a solution for the NASA Parachuting onto Mars STEM Challenge, and they were invited to teach their self-created robotics curriculum to the participants of George Mason University’s summer FOCUS STEM Camp two years in a row. Now beyond their first year of existence the STEM Impressionists are rolling out the next phase of the STEM program – skill certification, peer-to-peer training, college/scholarship/internship application planning, and resume documentation. Angela has been a secondary teacher for Fairfax County for the past ten years.

Ms. DeHart created the STEM Impressionists Program as a opportunity for underrepresented students to receive sustained mentoring while engaging in hands-on participatory activities that develop their STEM, leadership and entrepreneurial skills. From middle school to college students are offered opportunities that prepare them for real world challenges in various fields.

LinkedIn: Angela DeHart | LinkedIn
website: stemimpressionists.org

Support the show

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Main Points:

1) These kids are the leading driver to the success of the organization. 
2) They have a leader that believes in them, not just their talents and skills. She believes in them and it shows in what they have been able to accomplish over the last couple of years. 
3) Look what kids can do when they are given the opportunity, the freedom to express themselves.
4) Don't be afraid to learn from the kids. They are writing and teaching curriculum to other kids. They are spreading awareness and honing their skills all at the same time. 

www.stemimpressionist.org

Support the show

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Hi everyone! This is a solo episode, no guest today.

Today we talk about early childhood education and STEM. Why it's important and how to engage with the very young. (its earlier than you think!!)

I also talk about my new book, ABC Engineering and why its a MUST have in your library. It is also a great gift for the baby or toddler in your life.

How to engage your child in STEM

1)    Use math concepts to talk with children.

2)    Look at the world around us!

3)    Ask open-ended questions.

4)    Follow the child’s lead. 

5)    Learn along with children! 

6)    Use books.  You can get your copy of my book here:  | https://amzn.to/30DPuVk

7)    Sing! 

8)    Let young children work on STEM tasks as part of a group. 

Support the show

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Main Points:

1) Saving our environment is important. There is real time evidence to support climate change. It is happening!!! There are also companies and individuals for whom this is their life's work to save the environment. There are little small things that we can do to assist them in this endeavor. Be a part of the change to save our planet.

2) Black Homeschooling is on the rise and it has been on the rise for a long time. If we can't get the education that our kids deserve from the public system, many parents are opting out and starting networks of homeschools that benefit our kids. I am in awe of these groups of individuals and you should be too. I'd do a search to see where these networks are in your neighborhood.

3) Yall, I'm a math teacher and I love teaching it. The concepts are often times made more difficult by math anxiety which very real. I will also say that math is foundational to a lot of other things. Our kids deserve to have a solid foundation in math and not feel like they have failed if math is a little harder for some to understand. We have got to remove the stigma around math. It is in all of our best interest to be intentional about how we present math and what words we use when speaking to our children and students about our own biases around math. It affects them in ways that you may be unaware of.

Jasmine Sadler Bio:
Jasmine is a full-time STEAM Entrepreneur trained in classical ballet, aerospace engineering, and business. She is the CEO of The STEAM Collaborative, an equitable Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math Education Company.

Support the show

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

I am super proud of this episode right here!!! MY girl, my friend and colleague who is now Dr. Ramona Pollard brings a WHOLE word about the  importance of being financially literate. I think its appropriate for anytime, but especially this one. Women need to be able to know where their money is going and why its going there. In STEM, women are outnumbered and have many obstacles to get over, under and through, money doesn't have to be one of them. 

I sincerely hope you join in the conversation. 

Support the show

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Episode Main Points:

1) STEM is found all around us. Being in nature and finding science in nature is STEM. Construction, roadwork, our cars, and buildings are all evidence of STEM. The watch on your arm, the chemical in your hair...all STEM. There is no getting around it, STEM is everywhere.

2) Stephanie talks about her journey in this episode and I think its important that you take a real good listen to what she says about taking the time to figure it out. Don't lose yourself to the ideas of others and really taking the time to get clear about your life and where you want to go and what you want to do.

3) Live your life out loud. I love that she has found her passion and its around girls seeing themselves as STEMinists; as women in STEM and that they belong.

Stephanie Espy Bio:

My mission is to empower the next generation of STEM leaders by developing their passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. I strive to fulfill this mission through my work with MathSP and STEM Gems.

About MathSP:

MathSP transforms the lives of its students by unlocking their potential, imparting a methodology that centralizes problem solving and critical thinking, and empowering them to achieve their dreams and thrive.

By strengthening our students’ skills in Algebra, Geometry, PreCalc, Calc, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and other STEM subjects and equipping them with winning strategies for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT, our expert academic and test prep coaches prepares and inspires the next generation of STEM leaders. Work with us.

facebook.com/MathSPAcademy
twitter.com/MathSPAcademy
MathSP.com

About STEM Gems:

With degrees in Chemical Engineering from MIT and UC Berkeley, I have personally experienced the gender gap that exists in the majority of STEM fields where women are severely underrepresented. The STEM Gems book is a product of my own experience and desire to help close the gender gap in STEM.

It features 44 women STEM leaders of today, each with different goals, paths, and aspirations, and each within their own unique STEM field. I strongly believe that girls and young women need female STEM role models to see themselves as scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians. These role models are what I call STEM Gems.

The STEM Gems book gives girls exposure to women doing amazing things in STEM, and gives them the tools to learn how to be STEM Gems themselves. By reading this book, girls and young women will have their pick of role models who offer tangible guidance and advice so that they will begin to see new possibilities that they may have never otherwise dreamed of.

The STEM Gems book is the book I wish I had growing up.

facebook.com/STEMGemsBook
twitter.com/STEMGemsBook
instagram.com/STEMGemsBook
STEMGemsBook.com 

Dr. Toshia's Book:

ABC Engineering is here!! You can order it here: https://amzn.to/30DPuVk

Support the show

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

This is a throwback episode where we discuss the pay gap for women in general and minority women in specifics. We also talk through how to negotiate your salary. It is a hard but necessary conversation to have about a subject that we have not really been taught how to do or do it well. It serves us as minority women to negotiate for ourselves. The company looks out for themselves. You need to look out for you. 

Support the show

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

On this episode we talk through good self care practices for women of color. It is super important that we as minority women take care of ourselves. WE MUST DO IT!!!! We give so much to others, but who gives or pours into us? How are we getting full? We have to take the time to do the things that matter to us and are about us. The times we live in now are perilous and I believe that we need to keep our minds, bodies, and spirits right. I loved the advice we talked about during this episode and I hope that you do also.

Support the show

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A

Yall, Please tell me why our hair is a war. Why are minority women being fired or not getting jobs because of their hair. Who determines what is "professional"? What is acceptable and what is not? That's the discussion and unfortunately, this conversation took place years ago and we are STILL talking about it now. 

Support the show

You can find out more information about Dr. Toshia here:

https://www.drtoshia.co

STEMming in Stilettos Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/xAc25J7UH9A