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.

Meet Daniel Chang and Ryan Mullen

Aspect recently welcomed Daniel Chang to our Seattle office and Ryan Mullen to our Bellingham office. Here are Five Questions we asked to get to know them better.

Daniel Chang, Staff Engineer

Yellowstone Grand Prismatic Spring! During my post-graduation road trip in Fall 2020

Yellowstone Grand Prismatic Spring! During my post-graduation road trip in Fall 2020

1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

I was born and raised in Johnson City, Tennessee, but I knew that I wanted to explore outside of the Southeast post-college. After spending the summer of 2019 in Seattle for an internship, I knew I had to come back to enjoy the city and all the nature the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

 2. What inspired you to pursue water resources engineering? What made you curious about it?

I have always been a swimmer, so I like to think my interest in water came from that experience in the sport. Spending 20+ hours a week swimming is plenty of time to think about where this tank of water is coming from, what is in the water, and the occasional thought of the absurdity of swimming in a massive tank of water in the center of cities facing drought. The interest grew through courses in college learning about global challenges with water access, supply, and quality—all of which I am excited to tackle in my career.

 3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

I love the general idea of working “behind the scenes” for a resource that the general population takes for granted in our daily lives. We often have the privilege to not think about where our water comes from, or what is in it, so I enjoy investigating all of that under the surface and at the source.

 4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

COVID proved to me that I am truly an extrovert. When I am not working, I love to be with friends doing anything from re-watching guilty pleasure movies/TV shows for the 50th time, cooking (and eating!) massive feasts, or exploring nature in my journey to become a true PNWer. For the immediate though, I am currently training for swimming the Olympic trials in June 2021 for a final swan song to my swim career!

 5. What five people would be your dream dinner party guests?

To get the perfect balance of conversation, comedy, and cuisine, I present my dream dinner party roster: Gordon Ramsey (to roast/maybe compliment my food), Meryl Streep (for the high class feeling), Adele (for some giggles and maybe live performance), Bill Nye (for the fun facts), and Mindy Kaling (for great laughs).

Ryan Mulllen, Staff Geologist 

Mountain biking the 100-mile White Rim loop in Canyonlands National Park, UT

Mountain biking the 100-mile White Rim loop in Canyonlands National Park, UT

1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

I am a Pacific Northwest native. I moved away from Washington after high school and spent the last seven years in southwest Colorado. I recently moved back here to be closer to family, water, and bigger mountains. 

2. What inspired you to pursue hydrogeology? What made you curious about it?

I grew up spending summers swimming on Lake Washington and skiing down the glaciers of Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. Spending time on water was always a big part of my life. It was not until I moved to Colorado that I began to understand how important (and scarce) water can be.

I studied physical and historical geology during my undergraduate degree and was fortunate to have gone to school in a unique geographic environment where 500 million years of geologic time was on display in the cliffs and valleys across from campus. I witnessed the distribution and movement of water across these landscapes and saw how seasons of extreme drought and catastrophic flooding impacted the community. 

3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated? 

The work is always interesting and varied, allowing me to be involved in many different types of projects. Hydrogeology encompasses a range of disciplines and each project has its own set of challenges that require innovative solutions. 

4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working? 

Generally, just about anything besides relaxing. I typically try to pack in as many adventures as I can after work hours and on the weekends. Lately I have been pursuing trail running, climbing, paragliding, skiing, and mountain biking. My wife and dog often get persuaded into joining my overambitious exploits. When I do find some downtime, I enjoy cooking, photography, reading, and sipping on a tasty sour beer while planning for the next adventure. 

5. Where in the world would you like to travel next?

My wife and I dream of touring Europe by paraglider someday. On the more practical side, we are looking forward to exploring the mountains of the North Cascades, BC, and Alaska, hopefully this summer.