Powering Kids Through STEAM Teaching

Aspect’s Community Team (ACT) was created in 2017 to engage more non-profits and Aspect staff in philanthropy. Aspect employees co-lead the group and focus on organizing yearly volunteering events where staff give time, resources, and technical expertise. These investments take many forms:

Through a bottom-to-top decision-making approach, ACT gives a platform for all staff to voice how Aspect should be investing in the community.  With how much the pandemic changed the education landscape, ACT put STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) outreach at the top of its 2021 priority list. Members wanted to use their skills to help students and educators who may feel overwhelmed with virtual learning.

Photo Credit: 2021 EarthGen Virtual Student Summit

Holding a Mirror Up to Budding STEAM Leaders

“Before we even crafted our first resume, many of us were already asked the big question: What do you want to be when you grow up? When you’re young, it can be challenging to find the answer simply because you haven’t figured it out yet. Hearing from professionals opens new worlds to students, especially marginalized identities. ”
— Cleo Pineda, Engineer

In alignment with ACT's mission to increase community involvement through education outreach, Aspect volunteers collaborated with EarthGen (formerly WA Green Schools) and participated as guest speakers at the Annual Clark County Virtual Student Summit career panel to elementary – high school-age students as well as educators learning science concepts. ACT volunteers include all Aspect career levels, genders, and ethnicities to reflect the diversity in STEM—they serve as mirrors for potentially underrepresented students who need role models to look up to.

In addition to providing valuable insight into the technical side of their professions, Aspect volunteers also shared stories of their career path. Some prepared informational videos while others led live presentations on ZOOM to show pictures of cool projects they’ve worked on, discuss their college journey, and even play games to introduce important environmental concepts.

EarthGen’s Curriculum Helps Future Scientists and Engineers 

The Virtual Student Summit was just one of many parts that make up EarthGen’s programs. The non-profit organization aims to support youth, educators, and their communities that may have limited access to quality instruction, extended learning opportunities, and funding. Some of their science-based, action-oriented programs include professional development training for teachers and their Stormwater Stewards environmental science unit for middle and high schoolers. Read more about the important work they do here and go HERE to donate (tax-deductible).

“Speaking to kids was initially more intimidating. They were silent during our talk, so it was difficult to have any idea of how anything we were saying was being received. It took some gentle encouragement, but once we got them participating in the chat they were a very insightful audience and I felt encouraged for these future STEAM careers.”
— ACT Volunteer and GIS Lead Robyn Pepin
“At the core I believe, and some research has certainly shown, that for children to see a ‘real life’ scientist or STEAM professional, particularly a woman of color, has a huge impact on how they see their futures and potential and that in others. So that is the foundation that drives me. In addition, I love to share about how incredible our earth is. Lots of young people don’t realize that geology or earth science or even environmental science are robust fields that they can enter.”
— ACT Volunteer and Senior Geologist Mei Lanier-Kamaha’o
“In the midst of a challenging and isolating year, it was crucial for students to have the opportunity to gather virtually, learn together, and connect over their shared interest of taking environmental action. EarthGen’s 2020-21 Annual Clark County Student Summit had professionals provide inspiration, knowledge and excitement for the students. It allowed students to understand that there are many careers that benefit the environment.”
— Shannon Brennan (Outreach Specialist at EarthGen)

Other ACT 2021 Highlights

Back in April, ACT leadership mailed out native wildflower seeds to green-thumbed staff looking for a spring project, hosted a friendly "who can pick-up the most trash?" contest, and coordinated a virtual happy hour in celebration of Earth Day.

Then in October, upholding the community team’s fall tradition of restoring a riparian area along the Snoqualmie River, ACT partnered with Stewardship Partners to organize an in-person volunteer experience at Carnation Farms.  

Got an Idea for ACT?

Would you like scientists and engineers to work with your non-profit group? Please contact Cleo Pineda and Lisa Maeda to learn more.

Feeling Good, Doing Good: Volunteering in the Pandemic for Riparian Restoration

On a crisp October 2021 day, Aspect staff, partners, kids (and one dog) helped restore a riparian area along the Snoqualmie River at Carnation Farms by clearing invasive blackberries and planting almost 100 trees and shrubs. In what has become a fall volunteer tradition, Aspect staff have worked with Stewardship Partners and Carnation Farms for years to volunteer and plant in riparian areas to help restore habitat along the Snoqualmie River.

This was our first big volunteer event in Pandemic times and everyone was excited to focus time and energy on giving back to our earth and water environment in Western Washington.

Reflecting on Working and Seeing People in Person

One thing quickly felt by all was how great it was to see people, meet people, and get outside.

“I really enjoyed it, it wasn’t too mentally exhausting for a Saturday morning which was perfect for giving space for small talk with each other. Another fun note was just meeting everyone’s plus 1’s too, everyone was lovely. Especially planting a tree with Milo and Athena, that was adorable and went along with the “stress-free/non-work” energy of the day.”
— Daniel Chang, Staff Engineer
“These volunteer events with Stewardship Partners are a win-win-win – it amplifies the importance of their Partners work; riparian habitat is restored; and we have a lovely day out building community within our company. ”
— Owen Reese, Principal Water Resources Engineer
“The pandemic has greatly affected many areas of our lives and one of them was our ability to volunteer (in-person). I felt very grateful for the opportunity to get to know some of my peers better while we planted trees and pulled out blackberry bushes. As an engineer, I am familiar with riparian restoration but I’ve never actually participated in it out in the “real world” before. It felt nice knowing that our team was proactively working towards a common goal together.”
— Cleo Pineda, Staff Engineer
“I really like getting outside, so that’s always a win for me, but it was especially meaningful to see people from Aspect in person again, it’s been too long since having that face-to-face connection.”
— Lisa Maeda, HR Generalist
“Thank you to all from Aspect Consulting who came out to help us restore riparian habitat along the Snoqualmie River at Carnation Farms. It was such a great day and a great way to continue our partnership. You all made a huge impact!”
— Chris LaPointe, Director of Ecological Restoration at Stewardship Partners

Since 2017, Planting to Build Riparian Zones and Construct Rain Gardens

Aspect has worked with Stewardship Partners since 2017 and this is our third event at Carnation Farms (2018, 2019, and 2021) and the sixth event total (the others are two work parties on the Rain Garden at Carnation Elementary + participating in a STEM night at Carnation Elementary).

Aspect Community Team (ACT) Activated

ACT is Aspect’s Community Team, which helps non-profit causes throughout the year and is led from within by Aspect staff. This Fall event is one ritual the team does – all are volunteers from Aspect staff -- as well as gather for other key programs such as STEM education events for underrepresented groups and participate in pro bono projects where we can share our Earth + Water expertise.

Philanthropy in the Science and Engineering Industry: Our Approach

Like many professional services firms, Aspect promotes a giving back philosophy as a core part of who we are. Defining what philanthropy means to a company brings big-picture questions to ensure an equitable approach that makes the most impact – Is it simply donating money? Is it donating brain power and time? Who makes the decisions on where, how, and when to contribute?

Aspect recently went through a shift in how we approach donations of time and money, which culminated in less a top-down and more of a bottom-up, many voices program: something we call “ACT” or Aspect’s Community Team. We were honored to be featured in the latest issue of Engineering Inc, the American Council for Engineering Companies (ACEC’s) national magazine while we’re honing our approach. Read the feature here.

How does your organization coordinate charitable giving? Any suggestions for best practices?

Let us know and we’ll share your feedback.