STEAM Spark - Think STEAM Careers, Podcast with Dr. Olufade
STEAM Spark: Think STEAM Careers Podcast with Dr. Olufade. Welcome to STEAM Sparks: The Think STEAM Career Podcast, hosted by Dr. Ayo Olufade. Our mission is to raise awareness about the importance of pursuing college and careers in STEAM fields and the positive impact they can have on BIPOC communities.
Dr. Ayo's journey, fueled by his passion for STEAM education, lies at the heart of this podcast. His experiences and meaningful conversations with guests from STEM and STEAM backgrounds inspire us to highlight the significance of STEM education and careers as sources of empowerment. We aim to better position the next generation for success.
By sharing personal stories and experiences, we hope to inspire and encourage our audience to consider STEAM careers. We are committed to promoting diversity and representation of BIPOC communities in the STEM field, breaking stereotypes, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone's unique perspective is valued.
Join us as we explore the endless possibilities and opportunities in STEAM fields. With your participation and support, let's work together to shape a brighter future for all.
#ThinkSTEAMCareers #BeInspired #BeAnInspiration
It is time to innovate!
Dr. Ayo Olufade, Host STEAM Sparks: Think STEAM Careers Podcast with Dr. Olufade
STEAM Spark - Think STEAM Careers, Podcast with Dr. Olufade
Empowering Latina Women in STEAM: Unlikely Heroes, Mentors, and the Power of Early Exposure
Can early exposure to STEAM fields for young girls truly change the trajectory of their lives? Angelica Carroll, a renowned podcaster and author, joins us to answer this pressing question and more. This episode shines a powerful spotlight on the importance of early education, community support, and the unlikely heroes like Jose Hernandez, a former migrant farm worker turned NASA astronaut, whose story of resilience serves as a beacon for aspiring young women in STEAM. Angelica passionately discusses the challenges women face in STEAM industries and underscores the transformative impact educators and cultural representation can have on students from marginalized backgrounds.
From the inspirational journey of Katia Echazarreta, the first Mexican-born astronaut, to the critical role of Latina mentors in STEM, our conversation is filled with powerful narratives that emphasize the necessity of supporting diverse talent. We delve into the unique challenges Hispanic women face in STEM fields, from economic pressures to time constraints, and explore the importance of parent engagement programs in immigrant communities. Celebrate with us the contributions of dedicated mentors like Angelica Carroll, who tirelessly work to empower the next generation of women in STEAM. Get ready to be inspired and learn how persistence and supportive networks can turn dreams into realities.
Welcome everyone. This is Dr Olufade. Today we have an exciting episode focused on empowering women in STEAM.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:We will discuss the current state of women representation in this field, the challenge they face and how we can inspire and support women to pursue a career in the STEAM field. Our guest today is Angelique Caroll Caroll. She's a podcaster, a phenomenal one. She is.
Speaker 1:Yeah, she is our audio room host on LinkedIn. I've attended her audio room quite a lot and I've been fortunate and blessed to also attend her podcast. She is a phenomenal woman. She basically here is what she does. Her message is this I can make your business known, so her job is to make you famous. Her job is to bring awareness to your business. So if you are interested, if you're the one that is interested in growing your business, there is no any other person that I know than Angelica Carroll, so you get to know her today. Ladies and gentlemen. So she's also an author. Probably she'll talk a little bit about her recent book. You can find it on Amazon. She's also into AI, right, as I noticed. I've attended a couple of her podcasts in, where she has invited a couple of guests who are pretty good on the use of AI. Maybe she can share a little bit on that topic with us. So welcome, angelica. We call her Angelica. Welcome to STEAM Think Career Podcast. How have you been?
Speaker 2:I've been great and I'm excited about what you're doing with your STEAM Spark Podcast. I think that is where education is going. There's a big interest in that and I'm glad that you've taken it upon yourself to make a podcast just about that. I work with Head Start also, and that's something that we try to teach to the children early on. You get them exposed to it and then they'll want to do it. But if there's no exposure, how are they going to know? So I love this, thank you.
Speaker 1:You're welcome. You're welcome and you're absolutely correct. I love what you said. Starting early is one of the keys. We have to start early. We can't wait until later on in life. Start early so our nanny tools stay with them for the rest of their lives. Let's do an icebreaker. So, let's do an icebreaker. So I have a question for you. I always like to ask all of my guests if you had the opportunity to meet anyone, who will it be and why?
Speaker 2:It would be Jose Hernandez. He is the only Mexican astronaut that was before a migrant worker migrant farm worker. He was rejected from NASA like 11 times and he was resilient, right. I saw the movie about his story it's called A Million Miles Away and I loved it because it also showed a little bit about his personality, in that he was not only resilient but he was a team player. So how many of us love it when there's other people that got your back, like my friend here, Dr Ayo, when you see that you really appreciate that in a person? But that's one of the people that I'd really love to meet, because my father was a migrant farm worker as well. There's some similarities there and I love that. It shows that you could come from wherever you're at and if you really want to do something, you can reach for the stars, and that's what he did.
Speaker 1:I absolutely agree with you. His story is quite inspirational. Funny enough, I actually posted a post on LinkedIn a while ago just about him and I wanted to encourage and inspire people to watch that video, that movie on LinkedIn, not LinkedIn on Netflix. His story is compelling. His story is inspirational, so I think I agree with you. He is one that I think we all shall aspire to meet, and I also like the fact his background coming from, as you've said, a modest beginning, a farmer. His parents are farmers, and it's interesting how his parents moved from one community to another looking for a job and how that could have affected his life. Actually, it did affect his life at one point, but he did not allow it. But what's up with that? Rejection 11 times.
Speaker 2:Oh my God yeah. Times, oh my God yeah. So I think, when you come from that background too, it's like you have to try harder, right, because it's not something that they're used to seeing in NASA.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:But I'm grateful that story was told because it's a story of hope.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so how applicable is it for our community really? His experience? Do you think that his?
Speaker 2:story is applicable to our community. Yes, I think it is, because there's a lot of people in the community that come from humble homes. That's why they say you have the 1 percent and the 99 right? Yeah, well, that's why I think it's so relatable and that's why I think it's a great story. Yeah, and I love the humor in it as well. Believe it or not, I had lunch with one of my friends who has a library that she's working with in in San Diego, and she got a phone call from him and she goes who is this? And he goes Jose Hernandez, and she goes the astronaut oh my god, and I'm like.
Speaker 2:I go get out of here. Really, you had a conversation with him. That is awesome. I'm like hook me up. Yeah, hook me up too. Yes, definitely, definitely absolutely.
Speaker 1:Please, if you do hear this and you in the same circle as jose, please try to focus up. Reach out to angelica, or reach out to me, dm me, let us, let us have it happen. It's inspirational. So now I want to talk about his family, his support system, his family, his father. Wow, that relationship between him and his father. Yeah, yeah, his mother, how supportive she is. And what about his wife? Oh my god, did you see that in the movie?
Speaker 2:I love. I loved her just by looking at at the way that she was so supportive of him, but he became supportive of her as well, isn't that? And I, and I love that too yes.
Speaker 1:I love that too. Yes, I love that Literally. Sometimes my wife and I like to cook, but my wife loved to cook. Man, how much I would love to be a millionaire so that I could open up a restaurant for her right. The fact that he's able to open up a restaurant for our own business after she has invested so much of her money just to make sure that he realized his dream I think that's a great story that's absolutely.
Speaker 2:That's a story of love and I love that he still stuck by her, despite the fact that he had all of this, all the popularity and all this money. He still, they were still one, so that's cool.
Speaker 1:That's a great story. That is indeed a great story. We're going to come back to him later, hopefully, if we do have time, because it's inspirational and the backdrop of that is DEI. So what is your thoughts? What are your thoughts on DEI and why is it important? And I don't know without people in the leadership in my mind that just believe in diversity and inclusion and equity. I wonder if Jose will have been successful. Did you see that out of the movie? Please share it a little bit. You know where I'm going with this.
Speaker 2:Yes, I think what you're asking, what I think about DEI, and what I think is that everyone needs to be treated fairly. They need to get the same opportunities. All of us need to be respected and valued. I believe in equity and inclusion for everyone, and that's it that's important for me. That's important for me and in regards to what happened in the movie, I'm thinking maybe there wasn't too much inclusion during those 11 times that he rejected, but maybe he needed to work on something, maybe he needed a mentor. I think teachers have so much to do with our dreams and the people that we're around, the people that believe in us, and if we could just tell them that we believe in them. And I think it makes such a difference in a person's life when you could just show that kindness and that encouragement and I'm sure that you've dealt with it being the doctor right.
Speaker 1:Oh, absolutely, angelica. You're absolutely correct. Where will I be without people that believe in me? I probably will not be speaking with you, definitely so I remember in elementary school one particular, actually a couple of teachers one teacher who later became our head teacher, actually a couple of teachers one teacher who later became our head teacher no, our head principal. She was from America. Her name I'll never forget her.
Speaker 1:Her name is Mrs Bird, I don't know what her first name is, but it is a long time ago. I remember when I was struggling she really took an interest in making sure that I get it and that was the turnaround for me. And the second teacher was also in elementary school. We can't do that now, whereby a teacher can come to your home to check on you, but I remember many times when he comes to my home he knows my father and that actually helped propel me.
Speaker 1:But again, and then in high school, what will I do without my Indian teachers? So Nigeria used to. I remember they used to bring Indians in, who are well-educated, to come and teach us. So that is where I got my inspiration to pursue science from my Indian teachers. I will never forget one particular Indian teacher, my biology teacher. He used to pronounce fungi so he'd say fungi. So I used to remember when, making fun of that, he'd say fungi. It's to remember we're making fun of that. You say fungi. It's like fungi, right, I'm sorry, but it actually affected me, had an impact on me.
Speaker 1:But going back to the movie, the teacher in that movie also, according to to that movie, had a major impact on that, on Jose. It reminds me of the story, one story that you shared in the audio room about a student of yours. I believe that's how the story went. You picked up a book, or was it you? Maybe you can relate to that story again, do you mind? But that story, what you did, had an impact on that student, correct? Is that correct, am I?
Speaker 2:wrong. I'm trying to remember which book I picked up.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but I think it has to do something with his dialect, but it has a major impact. Just that idea that you know he recognizes something like that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, there's a lot of African dialects in San Diego and I happen to have a website that has different dialects in it and it had different cartoons in it that teach things different dialects in it and it had different cartoons in it that teach things and so I was able to show him in his dialect, the cartoon and his face just lit up. So I think we can inspire children by meeting them at their level, at their language, and making them feel comfortable, letting them know that you include their language, you include them. So I don't know if that's the right story, but yeah, absolutely yeah.
Speaker 1:But you have so many but, I, like what you say, just the recognition of the cultural background of the students and meeting the students where the student is. She is where the student is, she is where the student is. I think it's extremely, very important. So teachers play a critical role in the life of the students, just like in the movie, just like in real life, with you, and I think that you I'm glad that you mentioned that and that you point that out and you elaborated on that. That's great job, thank you. Thank you, my friend. Yeah, mentioned that and that you point that out and you elaborated on that. That's great job, thank you. Thank you, my friend.
Speaker 1:Yeah, steam is important, especially what doesn't involve steam or stem science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, especially when it's integrated. Now everyone is talking about uh ai, ai is a technology and it's really changing. It's like a game changer, oh yeah. So for that reason, we always have to think about the BIPOC community, the Blacks, the Indigenas, the people of color women and other marginalized groups, and that is the reason why I'm going to ask this question.
Speaker 1:So what is the state of women representation in the STEM field and, most especially, in the Hispanic consideration of the Hispanic population?
Speaker 2:And women. Of course, it's going to be a lot lower than men. The men dominate the field, according to the National Science Foundation. Hispanic women even lower number of Hispanic women.
Speaker 2:But, however, I read a really interesting article about Katia Echazarreta, and she's the first Mexican-born astronaut that's been able to travel into space. Wow, I thought her story is interesting because she grew up with a family of engineers her dad and her brothers and so she was really interested in it. But she's the woman and they looked at her like you're not going to be an engineer, right, because they figured that's a guy thing. But she had a brother that didn't like the engineering and be. They would go to the museums, right, the science museums and things of that sort, and she got to tag along because of him. So she's grateful for him.
Speaker 2:I thought that was neat and then when he would get his science kids she he would throw them away and then she would go and pick them up and so because of him, it helped her, because she was able to use what he didn't use so that she can now look where she's at. She's an astronaut. So I thought you look for a way, and I think it's amazing that she didn't give up. Even though it wasn't something that was encouraged in her family, she still went and did what she wanted to do because she found an interest early on. She would even do research and things like that. So I thought, wow, that's pretty interesting.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so that's a really compelling. That's another good story, inspiring story. So what do you think made a difference for her? I know her brother is not interested in science and he throws his tools away and she picks them up. So what is it? Maybe somebody can learn from that. What is it? Maybe somebody can learn from that. What is it?
Speaker 2:Maybe it's something that she was interested in because she saw that her father and her brothers did it, and it was something that she said. It was something that came naturally with her. Okay, there's some things that we pick up that for some reason, it's something that can be easy for us, you know, and it's something that we like, and so it seems like that's how it was for her, even though her dad and brothers didn't think she was going to be one.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So I wonder her father must have been an inspiration, because she said she came from a family of engineers. Because she said she came from a family of engineers, but I think that he just probably didn't recognize that what men can do, women also can what they can do the same. Yes, but she was as you said, she was very resilient. I like that story. Can you say the name again? What's her name again?
Speaker 2:Her name is Katia, katia, excellent.
Speaker 1:Excellent.
Speaker 2:Go ahead, please Go ahead.
Speaker 1:I'll send it to you, katia Echazarreta. Thank you. If somebody is interested in knowing that name, at least they can follow up that name, at least they can follow up. So the next question that I have is how is it important? Why is it important to empower women to pursue a career in the STEM field?
Speaker 2:especially minority women. It's not only important, for it's very important, and it's not only for equity purposes, but just the whole collective interest. We could be more intentional and creative in creating opportunities for young women and girls, because if we don't create those opportunities, then how are they going to be curious? Right, Katia, she was curious about the science kit that her brother threw away. But when you have things available for you at your disposal, then you're exposed to it, and if you're not exposed to it, how are you going to learn about it? So that's the important thing that I see. That's what's happening and when in some communities they don't get the exposure to STEM, and that's why we think it's so important to expose the children early on. It helps them with their self-confidence, right.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:And it's going to help them with their potential as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I totally agree. I totally agree with you. So, in regards to what do we like? In regards to Katia, I know that one of the challenge that she has is probably I don't, probably, this is not true, but based on the fact that she didn't have the encouragement, I will venture to say that so probably the father doesn't see her as an engineer, so therefore probably didn't encourage her, and her brother, of course, is not interested in engineering, no, in science. So there is no role model or someone that can impress upon her or encourage her. So, on the same line, what do you think, or what are the challenges do you think that are common for women to pursue, or try to pursue, a career in the STEM? What are some of the challenges?
Speaker 2:I think one of the challenges is there's not very many role models, right? Yes, so who do you go to? Who can you ask if you don't have another woman that you can read about or get some information or maybe have a conversation with? Who do you go to? Because you want to go to somebody that you can relate to so that you can be able to know what to do in that case. But I will tell you, I was speaking with one of my friends and her daughter.
Speaker 2:We were having dinner together and her daughter we had. We were having dinner together and her daughter was right next to us and I was telling her I'm looking for alumni for the school because I'm doing interviews. And I go do you know anybody? And she goes my daughter. I go oh awesome, I go what are you doing now? To her and she goes I'm studying to be a scientist. And I said, oh, there it is, there's a mentor. So I think it would be cool to collect the mentors that we know in the community that are Latinas, right? And be able to have a list so that when somebody needs that mentorship or when somebody needs some sort of information, they have someone that they could look up to. So I think that's a challenge, but that's a solution as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I like the fact that you highlight the importance of mentor and you highlight the importance of why we need to form a network so that we can help the aspiring STEM careers women. Right, I think that is a very important point, but correct me if I'm wrong. Don't we have so many mentors programs out there already for women, to help women?
Speaker 2:I don't know. I haven't seen any women. Maybe I need to do more research. There's a few women, but when it comes to Latina women, I think you really have to dig in more to find more Latina women. Mentors, hispanic, okay, but I know that there are some women in that aren't Latina, that Latina that there are more of, so it wouldn't hurt to also reach out to them.
Speaker 1:Yeah, One of the things that I've actually been thinking and I've tried to post on this. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it would be interesting to get your idea the importance of our celebrities. By the way, if you know any celebrities, please send them my way. I'd like to. Seriously, I have. I really truly feel like the key is our community right.
Speaker 2:I think you're right in that People listen to celebrities. Okay, totally yes.
Speaker 1:So if any celebrities, please send them my way. I think, by community hearing from our celebrities, I think it goes a long way and also, I think, changing the mind of our parents. Right, I feel like that. Actually it's maybe our schools need to do a little bit heavy lifting. Our schools need to do a little bit heavy lifting. I will never forget I had a conversation with Dr LaVerd you and I know Dr LaVerd so one of the things that she advocated is for the schools actually to have a program for the parents, the parents, to teach the children, absolutely, absolutely, because we have a population of immigrants too, that large population of immigrants. That will go a long way. Uh, so I like that.
Speaker 1:You feel in the hispanic community. Correct me if I am wrong. Will you say that the challenge to the Hispanic community, women in the Hispanic community, is the same or is it different? In regards to STEM, pursuing STEM, do you think, from the Black women, or maybe Caucasian women or Asian women? Do you think that the issue, the challenge that they face, is the same or is it different? Or show the approach? The reason why I'm asking this question is I'm wondering if maybe another way to increase this number of representation. This number of representation, maybe the approach that we're using is not specific enough, because I'm wondering within my mind the issue that will probably will be of concern to African American women may not be of concern to women that are of different race and background. What is your take, what is your thoughts on that? I guess I want to find out specific issues or challenges that is facing Hispanic women than any other.
Speaker 2:I think, when it comes to especially, san Diego is a very expensive place to live.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So a lot of people that are in marginalized communities have more than one job just so they can pay the rent, and sometimes they have to get other people to move in together, like in west side story, not song, yeah, yeah, I live, I like to live in america, so, but in it it mentions that everybody needs to move in together. But, yeah, that I. I think that's one problem. I think another one is when you don't have time, that goes along with that because of the time constraint. But we do have programs where we have parent engagement, where the parents get training. They get free training and I love that because in it I've seen a lot of parents succeed. I've seen parents succeed because of the training that they receive.
Speaker 2:With Head Start they become leaders and they've gone a long way. One of my friends, masada, he's on the policy council and he already went to Washington. He also got to meet the mayor and had a meeting with him about things going on in the community. So he's taking things in his, he's taking action, and that's what we want to see our parents. To be strong enough to be able to have those conversations, you need to be comfortable with your language, with speaking English and being able to express yourself around people that are in leadership right, and so that's one of the things that the trainings that they get. So I'm on it with what Dr LaVert says. Absolutely, dr Gwendolyn right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, gwendolyn LaVert. Yeah, she is the literacy expert, so doing a phenomenal job. All of you are doing a phenomenal job. By the way, I just want to put in a pitch over here. If anyone is looking for mentors sorry, angelica, I'm going to put you on the spot we go, you've got one. Angelica is a phenomenal mentor. She can, she, I tell you, she gives her time and to anyone at least to us, I don't know. So she has been really very supportive anytime and she's so kind as you can see.
Speaker 1:Thank you she's well approachable. So I would like to encourage you to please reach out to Angelica. So that is really very, that is very important within our community. So, angelica, I know you're a woman and you're a successful woman. You're a smart, brilliant woman and you really, as you can see, we all can see how successful you are. So you want to share a little bit of your story. Did you ever face any challenge, or what are some of the challenges that you overcame coming along? Do you mind sharing a little bit?
Speaker 2:I don't mind sharing, sharing at all. Growing up, I used to be a super shy child, and so I felt like there were things that I wanted to do raise my hand. I knew the answer to questions in class, but I was afraid to answer because I was shy. But one of the things that happened with that challenge of being shy was I applied for this organization and I had a chance to either be a secretary, which I've been secretary many times, or I could be a parent engagement aid, which is teaching parents how to be leaders.
Speaker 2:But it said on there that I would have to do the thing that I was afraid to do, which was public speaking. So I stopped for a while and I said but then, when I saw that I would be able to help other people out, that's what made me say you know what? I'm going to go for it, and that, I think, is the key to not being afraid to speak. When you think of what I have to say can help somebody, and I want to help somebody, and when you think of it that way, then you forget about yourself and you think about them, and then you can continue on. So that was my challenge and I'm still shy.
Speaker 1:Go ahead, finish your time.
Speaker 2:The good thing about being shy is that I can relate to other people who are shy and try to make them feel comfortable, because I know how uncomfortable it is.
Speaker 1:So what will you advise? Now we're coming to the close to the end of our conversation. If you were to give an advice, what will your advice be to a young aspiring woman coming along, knowing what you've known, with all your experience as a woman?
Speaker 2:My advice would be if you have a dream that you want to pursue in life, don't wait. Just start pursuing it now and surround yourself around people that are going to support you it now and surround yourself around people that are going to support you. And remember to have gratitude, grace and grit, and when you have gratitude, that's going to really help you with challenges, because when you feel like complaining, and just think about gratitude and the things that you're happy for and you'll stop complaining, because you can't do both at the same time. But, above all, I would say, don't forget to show love in everything that you do, because love is the perfect bond of union and happiness. So those that would be my advice thank you so much, much, Angelica.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much on sharing that insight. You heard it. Ladies and gentlemen, Don't be afraid of going after what your dream is. You have to pursue it with all of your heart and you have to love it. We are really incredibly delighted to have you on STEAM Spark STEAM Career Podcast. Angelica, We'd like to invite you to come back again to talk on any topic you want to really talk about. Thank you once more again for coming.
Speaker 2:Thank you.
Speaker 1:Yes, ma'am, ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for watching and we'd like to encourage you. Yes, ma'am, ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for watching and I would like to encourage you. Oh, by the way, angelica, you want to talk a little bit about your book so that others know? I believe it is on Amazon, if I'm not mistaken. Sure, yeah, sure.
Speaker 2:Go ahead. I'll tell a short story about it. When I was in college, the professor gave us all homework in class and it was to write an engaging book for preschool children. And I love being creative. I thought, wow, this is going to be fun. So I was excited about the assignment and I love pirates too. Make a book about a pirate searching for treasure. So this is what I did, and I also wanted to make it so that children can get more skilled at their literacy, and so I made a rhyming book. When you make it into a rhyming book, it helps establish phonemic and awareness skills which is help identify and manipulate sounds.
Speaker 2:And then I wanted to make the object of surprise, because we all love surprises.
Speaker 1:Yes, we do.
Speaker 2:And so what I did, as my research is, I would be dressed as a pirate and I'd go to the preschools, to each of the centers, and I was a mentor coach, so I was able to show the teachers how they could get the children engaged with the books. And the book's name is Max's Quest for the Lost Treasure, and it's named after my son, max.
Speaker 1:Excellent, inspiring. Thank you Everybody. Please go ahead, go get the book. It's on Amazon. I believe it's doing very well, if I'm not mistaken. Please get the book and support what Angelique is doing. I would like to also say I also wrote a children's book, ladies and gentlemen, not sure if you can see it, but it is called false the dynast magical. Please make sure that you get both of our books. That supports what we're doing everyone. Thank you once more again. Angelica, thank you so much. Uh, if you love this program, what?
Speaker 2:we let me show my book too, max, there you go.
Speaker 1:Max Quest of the what Of the treasure of the love treasure. Good job, excellent. I like that. I like that. Please go ahead, buy our book, support us and support women in STEAM careers. I would like to wish everyone have a wonderful evening.
Speaker 2:Yes, everybody.
Speaker 1:Support this program, if you like. What the program that we're bringing to you, talking about STEAM and STEM, women in STEAM and STEM, minorities in STEAM and STEM, the BIPOC community in STEAM and STEM, innovating innovating our community through STEM and STEM. We support this program and also support check out Angelica. She also has a podcast. Thank you once more again, everyone. See you next time.
