1 MAGAZINE Why the Community College Route Is Better Than You Think! p. 20 STEMPOSIUM The 2023 Issue MAGAZINE @LawsonStateCC On the Road Again Traveling Adventures with summer STEM participants p. 10 SEI Participants visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Space & Rocket Center
2 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 Special Acknowledgments We would like to acknowledge Lawson State Community College President, Dr. Cynthia Anthony, for being a long-time advocate for student success and supporting programs and campus-wide initiatives such as the STEM Scholars Program. STEM Leadership Team Dr. Bruce Crawford Principal Investigator, NSF Pi-STEM E3 Grant Vice President for Instructional Services Lawson State Community College Dr. Shawanda Thomas Co-Principal Investigator, NSF Pi-STEM E3 Grant STEM Director & Mathematics Instructor [email protected] (205)929-3443 Mrs. Jean Whitlow STEM Administrative Assistant [email protected] (205)929-3533 Now more than ever, there is a need to establish programs that better position the current and nextgeneration STEM workforce. The STEM Program at Lawson State Community College provides several opportunities designed to increase participants’ awareness of STEM fields and/or increase interested students’ motivation to persist in the STEM fields. Lawson State is known for hosting on-campus STEM activities for middle school, high school, and college students, including the: STEM Scholars Program (for college students) STEM Enrichment Institute (middle/high school) STEM Bridge Program (high school graduates) Girls IMPACT Summer Program (middle/high school) The core values of the STEM program are research, integrity, service, and excellence. STEM undergraduates who are accepted into the STEM program are known as STEM scholars. STEM scholars meet regularly throughout the year, network with STEM professionals, present research, receive awards, attend national conferences, and receive invaluable information to develop them academically. The program is generously supported by the National Science Foundation, mainly through the Pi-STEM E3 grant (Award # 1719329). Disclaimer References to any specific commercial product, process, service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, do not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Lawson State Community College. Non-Discrimination Policy It is the policy of the Alabama Community College System, its Board of Trustees, and Lawson State Community College, a postsecondary institution under its control, that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age or any other protected class as defined by Federal and State Law, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment.
3 IN THIS ISSUE 2 About 3 Magazine Contributors 4 ERN 2023 5 STEM Scholar Achievements-at-a-Glance 6 Taking Care of Business in Montgomery, AL 7 AHA HBCU Scholars Program 8 Celebrating 20 Years of STEM Excellence 10 “Does AI Dream of Electric Sheep?” 12 On the Road Again... 16 ABRCMS 2022 18 STEM Scholars Making Waves 19 STEM Scholars Day at Samford 20 Why the Community College Route is Better Than You Think 22 Girls IMPACT 2022 25 Girls IMPACT Guest Speakers 28 Alumni STEM Scholars 29 “Can Science Justify...Well...Science?” 30 Ad: STEM Scholars Program 31 Internal and External Advisory Board Content Creator/Designer Dr. Shawanda Thomas STEM Director Lawson State CC Editors: Dr. Sherri Davis Academic Dean Lawson State CC Dr. Ann Swanberg English Instructor Lawson State CC Lead Writer: Dr. Shawanda Thomas STEM Director Lawson State CC Contributing Writers Isaiah Bastien James Brinkley Ana Zavala Photo Credits Isaiah Bastien James Brinkley Dr. Bruce Crawford DaVonte Curtis Zoe Evans Adriene Gadsden Naila Jaraysi *Naquela Kirk (back cover photo) Kelvine Mamgue Ajie Mboob Terry McCollough Zoe Evans Terry McCollough *Jimena Ortiz-Perez (front cover photo) Kyla Smith Dr. Shawanda Thomas Jean Whitlow Ana Zavala (photo of art by Jason Allen) The STEMposium Magazine Contributors
Lawson State Community College STEM Scholars attended the 2023 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Washington, D.C. from February 9-12, 2023. ERN is hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR). The conference is aimed at college and university undergraduate and graduate students who participate in programs funded by the NSF HRD Unit, including underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities. The objectives of the conference are to help undergraduate and graduate students enhance their science communication skills and to better understand how to prepare for science careers in a global workforce. The general format for the 21/2 day conference includes student poster and oral presentations, and other conference activities, including: workshops focused on strategies for applying for and succeeding in graduate programs; finding funding for graduate school; career preparation workshops focused on employment searches and retention; and understanding STEM careers in a global context and identifying international research and educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty. Exhibitors included representatives from academic, government, business, and the non-profit sectors with information about graduate school admissions, fellowships, summer research opportunities, professional development activities, and employment opportunities. LSCC STEM Scholar, Kyla Smith, placed 2nd in the Chemistry and Chemical Science Category. The title of her research was, “Characterization of Poly-(D,Llactic acid)/ Titania Nanocomposite Microparticles for Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Water.” This was significant in that Lawson State had the distinction of being the only community college that received an award at ERN 2023. A special thank you goes to Lawson State instructors: Dr. W. Indika Galpothdeniya (Chemistry), Dr. Vinod K. Mishra (Chemistry), and Mrs. Wynell Gilbert (Biology) for the time they spent critiquing Kyla’s presentation in preparation for ERN 2023. The STEM Scholars also had a chance to enjoy the city and visit some of the major attractions around the area, including local eateries, and even attended the Washington Wizards versus Indiana Pacers game. Above: Kyla Smith wins 2nd place in the Chemistry and Chemical Science Category at ERN 2023 in Washington, D.C. Left to right (Lawson State conference attendees): Janecia Smith, Kyla Smith, Steven Thompson, Jonathan Sevilla, Isaac Sullivan, Seth McCoy, Dr. Shawanda Thomas, and Dr. Bruce Crawford.
5 2019 I’yuana Morris - Presentation Award (Oral) Category: Cell Biology and Developmental Biology and Genetics Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (November 2019 - Anaheim, CA) Amina Kelly - 2nd Place (Poster) NanoBio Summit (September 2019 - Atlanta, GA) 2020 Rhythm Williams - 1st Place (Poster) General Category: Biological Sciences Sub-Category: Genetics/Biomedical Engineering/Cancer Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM (February 2020 - Washington, DC) 2021 H. Brehonna Pineda - Presentation Award (ePoster) Category: Engineering, Physics, and Mathematics Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (November 2021 - Virtual) LaRon Shackleford - 3rd Place (ePoster) Category: Biological & Life Sciences GA-AL LSAMP Annual Research Symposium (May 2021 - Virtual) 2022 DaVonte Curtis - 2nd Place Competition: Hackin’ Omics 2022 (UAB) Team: MedvAIsor - AI-based Personalized Drug Screening for Cancer Treatment Web App Kyla Smith - Presentation Award (Poster) Category: Chemistry (Organic) Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (November 2022 - Anaheim, CA) 2023 Kyla Smith - 2nd Place (Poster) General Category: Chemistry and Chemical Science Sub-category: Air, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials, Pollution Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM (February 2023 - Washington, DC) 2023 GA-AL LSAMP Research Symposium (Carrollton, GA) Isaiah Bastien - Presentation Award, Zoe Evans - Presentation Award Kyla Smith - 1st Place Poster Presentation, Physical Sciences category LSCC STEM Scholar Achievements-at-a Glance I’yuana Morris ABRCMS 2019 Amina Kelly Shackleford 2019 NanoBio Summit Rhythm Williams ERN 2020 Above: DaVonte Curtis receives certificate for Hacking competition while a participant of the UAB Blazing to Biomedical Careers program. Left to right: Zoe, Isaiah, Kyla 2023 LSAMP Symposium
6 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 Above: Niesha Rashid, STEM Scholar, received one of the $1000 scholarships. The Alabama Technology Foundation (ATF) hosted the Alabama Business Technology Conference (ABTC) in Montgomery, AL on Friday, September 23, 2022. Seventeen Lawson State STEM Scholars attended the event. ABTC is a strategic training and trade show event that spotlights topics ranging from artificial intelligence, data analytics, data protection, biotechnology, cyber security to new generation servers, storage arrays, appliances and software solutions. The Lawson State STEM Scholars who attended the Alabama Business Technology Conference were the following: Isaiah Bastien, James Brinkley, Kayla Carter, DaVonte Curtis, Zoe Evans, Bianca Kindred, Kelvine Mamgue, Lesley Pearson, Kenneth Powell, Jonathan Sevilla, Niesha Rashid, Kyla Smith, Tyreese Stoutermire, Steven Thompson, Isaac Sullivan, A’Lissia Thomas, Timothy Wynn, and Dr. Shawanda Thomas (STEM Director). Above: Isaac Sullivan and Steven Thompson converse with a company rep. Taking Care of Business in Montgomery, AL September 22-23, 2022 We are proud to announce that one of our very own, Niesha Rashid, received one of the six scholarships presented during the conference. Above: STEM Scholars learn about STEM opportunites around the state. Above: Zoe Evans and Kayla Carter discuss Alabama State University scholarship requirements. Above: STEM Scholars take a moment to capture a memory together before heading back to Birmingham. ATF motto: "Develop them here. Keep them here!" Benefits for the students who attended the conference included applying for scholarships, gaining access to dozens of STEM-connected companies for interviews and internships, and attending multiple breakout sessions related to how technology works in Alabama. Participants were requested to upload their resumes and transcripts to the Alabama Technology Foundation(ATF) system prior to the conference. This step was required to receive a scholarship.
7 Taking Care of Business in Montgomery, AL September 22-23, 2022 HBCU SCHOLARS PROGRAM The American Heart Association(AHA) is committed to enhancing education for minorities through strategic partnerships with minority-serving educational institutions. To promote the advancement of the next generation of African American scientists and healthcare professionals trained to understand the impact of cardiovascular disease in their communities, the AHA Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Scholars Program was launched in 2015. In 2019, the American Heart Association HBCU Scholars Program expanded its offerings to include Lawson State Community College students. This initiative provides year-long, hands-on academic scientific research, professional mentoring, leadership skills, and cultural competence training to promising undergraduate students at HBCUs. AHA believes that ensuring a diverse pool of students pursuing science and health is vital. African American healthcare providers, public health professionals, and researchers will enhance medical treatment of minorities and help close significant health disparities. Engagement in health and science focused pipeline programs has been noted as a significant factor in the success of minority students. The 2022-23 AHA HBCU Scholar selected to represent Lawson State Community College is Kyla Smith. Kyla is a sophomore biology major. Her achievements at Lawson State include participating in the STEM Scholars Program, receiving a presentation award from ABRCMS in 2022, and earning 2nd place in the Chemistry and Chemical Science category at the 2023 ERN conference. Kyla says her continuous motivation and great work ethic are what make her most successful. As an AHA HBCU Scholar, Kyla participated in an academic-year research experience, engaged in virtual leadership workshops, and attended the AHA’s International Scientific Sessions, the largest cardiovascular disease conference in the world. Kyla Smith 2022-23 AHA HBCU Scholar To be eligible for the AHA HBCU Scholars Program, applicants must be Black or African American HBCU undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors majoring in the biomedical, public health or health care sciences with a minimum GPA of 3.2. Past Lawson State AHA HBCU scholar recipients since 2019 include Zoe Evans (2021-22), Erin Howard (2020-21), Ajah Gross (2019-20), Ashton Oliver (2020-21), A’Lissia Thomas (2021-22), and Rhythm Williams (2019-20). 2022-23 AHA HBCU Scholar (Lawson State) Kyla Smith Major: Biology Title of Research Identifying Risk Factors for Death on the PHTS Waitlist Among the Sickest Pediatric Heart Transplant Candidates Mentor: Hong Zhao, Ph.D. Statistician Kirklin Solutions
8 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 Celebrating 20 Years of STEM Excellence Lawson State Community College celebrated 20 years of STEM excellence during the annual STEM White Coat Ceremony held on April 22, 2022 in the Academic Success Center Auditorium on the Birmingham campus. The year 2022 marked the 20th year since the inception of the first STEM grant at Lawson State. The purpose of the White Coat Ceremony is to recognize STEM scholars for their participation in the STEM program and for their research and scholarly accomplishments at Lawson State Community College and beyond. Adriene Gadsden, alumni STEM Scholar, was the speaker for the 2022 White Coat Ceremony. Adriene is currently a Software Engineer for FIS Global. All STEM Scholars receive a customized STEM pin during the ceremony (see right). Dr. Bruce Crawford, Vice President for Instructional Services, was also recognized for his contribution starting the STEM program Above (left to right): Preston London (Mechanical Engineering), A’Lissia Thomas (Animal Science), Yemesi Thompson (Chemistry), Zoe Evans (Biology), and Quentin St.Charles (Computer Science) - Note: Missing from photo - Brehonna Pineda and Ryan Edwards at Lawson State. The Purpose of the “White Coat” The STEM White Coat Ceremony is an observance of students’ efforts in pursuing and engaging in rigorous scientific research. The research is typically the result of intense literature reviews, lab experiments, and/or data analysis via an established research methodology. To this end, all Lawson State Community College STEM Scholars are expected to engage in research during their tenure at Lawson State. Eligibility to receive a white coat requires: 1) participation in a creditable research experience (as part of a summer internship, Co-Op, or academic year experience); 2) the dissemination of said research via conference presentations or publications. 3) demonstration of ethical behavior and integrity in all academic pursuits; 4) maintaining at least a 3.0 grade point average.
9 The following STEM scholars met the requirements to receive white coats during the 2022 ceremony: 2022 White Coat Recipients Ryan Edwards Major: Electrical Engineering Zoe Evans Major: Biology Preston London Major: Mechanical Engineering Brehonna Pineda Major: Biology Quentin St.Charles Major: Computer Science A’Lissia Thomas Major: Animal Science Yemesi Thompson Major: Chemistry Research.................Brehonna Pineda Integrity....................Kenneth Powell Service......................Preston London Excellence....................Isaiah Bastien RISE Award.......................Zoe Evans Above: Brehonna Pineda proudly displays her white coat while being silly as usual. The white coat is not just a garment; it is a symbol of empowerment for students. As a result, Lawson State students are encouraged to participate in summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) each summer to earn this coveted prize. Once a student becomes a STEM scholar, they are given access to a Blackboard STEM portal which contains a plethora of information regarding internships, Co-Ops, scholarships, and other STEM-related opportunities. Above: Zoe Evans receives the 2022 STEM RISE Award. Above: Preston London receives the 2022 STEM Service Award. Above: Cake to celebrate 20 years of STEM excellence at Lawson State! Above: All STEM Scholars receive gifts for the White Coat Ceremony. Above: Isaiah Bastien receives the 2022 Academic Excellence Award. Thank you to family, friends, faculty, staff, and administrators of Lawson State Community College who attended the event to show their support. A special thank you goes to President Cynthia Anthony for gifting the STEM Scholars Program with a bouquet of flowers to celebrate the occasion! The 2022 STEM RISE Awards were given to the following Scholars who exemplified the core values of the STEM Program which are Research, Integrity, Service, and Excellence. The RISE Award is given to the scholar who exemplifies all four core values with excellence.
10 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 Innovation is something unique to humans; machines, they excel at processing inputs and outputs, but innovation — creating and improving — is something only the human mind is capable of. This notion has been a thought held for decades, the idea that a machine could replicate the creativity of the human mind from a series of inputs and prompts is something out of the works of Asimov. Yet, this is the reality artists are facing. No longer are humans the only ones capable of creating; the only ones able to make art, compose music, or even write. The uniqueness of the human mind is being challenged, and AI is the contender. Today, programs like ArtBreeder, DALL-E 2, and MidJourney are capable of producing art that rivals that of artists. For decades, AI has been capable of creating art. In 1973, Harold Cohen produced abstract art using a program he developed and dubbed AARON. Yet, it was not until 2014 that “generative adversarial networks” were developed. These generative adversarial networks were used to train a program or machine to detect patterns and repetitions to formulate new data based on what it learned. This new machine learning method enabled AI to derive more sophisticated art from the original pieces it was trained with. It was through the use of generative adversarial networks that AI became capable of creating pieces with a great deal of realism. According to Kevin Roose, so sophisticated did these programs become that when Jason M. Allen entered the Colorado State Fair, his piece, Théâtre D'opéra Spatial, won an award in “digital art/digitally manipulated photography.” The news of this event sent “shock waves” to the art world. Artists denounced Allen and his piece. A message was sent; AI art is not real art. But the question must be asked, “what is art?” Only then can it be decided whether AI art is or is not art. Artists argue that AI art is not art because to create art, one must draw upon their lived experiences. The things they've lived through; the sunsets they witnessed, the heartbreaks they endured; it all bleeds together into the art that an artist produces. Art is a collage of the life of an artist, the final product of a lifetime of experiences. Those experiences, mixed with the muscle memory of putting brush to paper, are what makes an art piece art, not the work itself. A piece without those components is just paper covered in paint. As previously mentioned, AI learns using generative adversarial networks. According to Ian Goodfellow, these networks have two systems working together, the generator and the discriminator. The generator produces images with the inputs given to them, such as photos and art pieces. To ensure that no two pieces are the same, the generator is given random "noise" as input. Then comes the discriminator. The discriminator judges the "realness" of the image and determines whether or not the image is an input or an output of the generator. If the discriminator is fooled more than fifty percent of the time, the generator is considered a success. While the discriminator judges what is real and what is not, the network learns by its successes and failures; thus, the network gets better at producing more realistic images. They are trained together and are trained by each other. When reading this, one cannot help but intrinsically look for the differences between how we learn and how AI learns; however, we must look deeper to see that we are not so different from AI. The way a human learns art is by gathering data as well. Every lived experience, every memory, every study of the masters, is us collecting inputs that will inevitably influence our outputs, our art pieces. Although we do not have noise Does AI Dream of Electric Sheep? By STEM Scholar, Ana Zavala | Major: Mathematics Jason Allen, 2022. Théâtre D’opéra Spatial, AI Generated. 1st Place Fine Arts Winner, Colorado State Fair.
11 The Lawson State Community College Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) announces its new officers for this year. The 2023 NSBE Executive Board is comprised of the following STEM scholars: President: Kadiatou Diallo (Major: Computer Science) Vice President: Seth McCoy (Major: Computer Science) Secretary: Ana Zavala (Major: Mathematics) Treasurer: Janecia Smith (Major: Biomedical Science) NSBE is one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the United States. NSBE, founded in 1975, supports and promotes the aspirations of collegiate and pre-collegiate students and technical professionals in engineering and technology. With more than 600 chapters and more than 24,000 active members in the U.S. and abroad, NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” -NSBE.org NSBE’s benefits for members include scholarships, internships and job opportunities, community service involvement, awards, and leadership and professional development. History: The Lawson State Community College Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers was established on March 3, 2021. In addition, a partnership with the NSBE Birmingham Professionals chapter was established in 2022. To join the Lawson State NSBE chapter, students must be enrolled in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degree plan. The membership fee is $15 annually. The NSBE membership year spans August 1– July 31. ------------------------------------------------------------- For more information, contact NSBE Advisors: Dr. Shawanda Thomas ([email protected]) or Mrs. Jean Whitlow ([email protected]). to prevent us from producing the same image, we generate in much the same way. We may not have a discriminator, but our generator is nearly identical to the machine. The only difference is that AI is able to gather these inputs faster and process them move quickly as well. As much as artists bemoan the lack of originality in AI work, no one is quicker than an artist to point out that all art is derivative. All art is inspired by the artists before us, and they were inspired by their forefathers as well. Picasso is even attributed the phrase, “Good artists copy; Great artists steal.” Tarantino paved his way through paying homage to his predecessors, proudly claiming that he steals from the greats. At the core of things, the controversy of AI art has less to do with art itself and more to do with the human experience. We defined ourselves by our minds, our innovations, our ability to learn and process and create. When AI came to us with a revelation, it showed us that our minds are not unique; they do not have a je ne sais quoi that cannot be replicated or explained. This revelation is uncomfortable, and, like the prisoners in Plato's cave, we have been given the opportunity to accept this truth or turn away from it. World Game HBCU Minecraft Challenge STEM scholars Kenneth Powell and Isaac Sullivan participated in the World Games 2022 HBCU Minecraft Challenge which was part of the World Games festivities held in Birmingham, Alabama for Summer 2022. This was an opportunity for students to use their creativity to showcase Lawson State Community College by re-imagining and re-designing the school campus. We would like to acknowledge Jeriah Henry, alumni STEM Scholar and current student at Appalachian State, for assisting the scholars with their idea conception. References: Fridman, Lex, director. Ian Goodfellow: Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) | Lex Fridman Podcast #19 . YouTube, Lex Fridman, 18 Apr. 2019, https://youtu.be/ Z6rxFNMGdn0. Accessed 7 Apr. 2023. Roose, Kevin. “An A.i.-Generated Picture Won an Art Prize. Artists Aren’t Happy.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2 Sept. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/02/ technology/ai-artificial-intelligence-artists.html.
12 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 The Pi-STEM E3 grant (Award # 1719329) at Lawson State Community College sponsors several STEM opportunities during the summer for middle and high school students. Summer STEM participants received the chance to travel for the first time in two years as a result of the pandemic. Sites visited included: Atlantic Aviation, Alabama A&M University, Auburn University, Tuskegee University, Innovation Depot, and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The STEM Enrichment Institute, also known as SEI, seeks to provide STEM enrichment and academic enhancement for middle and high school students (8th - 12th grade). Summer participants met inperson in 2022, and eligible participants were given the opportunity to take a math course at Lawson State as a dually enrolled student while also participating in the SEI program. As a result, these students were able to gain college credit in the summer. The college math course was funded by the STEM program. Additionally, while in the program, participants received the opportunity to converse with STEM professionals, complete STEM projects, and engage in weekly discussion boards, ACT Prep, and programming/coding classes. Participants created apps and constructed a solar robot for Summer 2022. The STEM Bridge Pathways to College Program seeks to provide STEM enrichment and academic enhancement to recent high school graduates. The program’s intention is to successfully bridge the high school graduates to a college environment. As a result, one major difference is that STEM Bridge participants are required to take one math course at Lawson State during the summer while participating in the STEM enrichment portion of the summer program. The math class and related expenses are paid for by the Lawson State STEM program. 2022 STEM Guest Speakers included Dr. Adrienne Madison, Biomechanical Engineer for the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Dr. Betsy Dobbins Biology Professor and STEM Director at Samford University, and Ms. Adriene Gadsden, Software Engineer for FIS Global. Summer Achievements Above: STEM Enrichment Institute participants visit Alabama A&M University and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center on on June 23, 2022 On The Road Again with the STEM Enrichment Institute & STEM Bridge Program Above: STEM Enrichment Institute participants explore Atlantic Aviation and Innovation Depot on June 9, 2022 There were a total of 54 SEI and STEM Bridge participants. 9 out of 54 participants took at least one math course at Lawson State (paid for by the STEM Program). All 9 participants taking math classes in the summer passed their courses with either an A or B. Note: One-on-one tutoring was provided by STEM Interns, Kera Dudley, I’yuana Morris, and Yemesi Thompson (all alumni Lawson State STEM Scholars).
13 2022 SEI and STEM Bridge participants at Auburn University SEI and STEM Bridge at Lawson State Community College
Acknowledgments 14 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 | 2022 STEM Interns: Kera Dudley, Kya Gardner, I’yuana Morris, Kayla Seals, and Yemesi Thompson | ACT Prep Facilitator: Mr. Chris Hare | Coding Facilitators: Dr. Kesha James and Mr. Scott Kelley | Robot Facilitator: Ms. Allison Bush | STEM Assistant: Mrs. Jean Whitlow STEM Program Testimonials “...this program has exceeded my expectations! I didn’t realize you did such extensive ACT prep and Khalea is already showing major improvements in her ACT after just one week. She took the ACT on June 11th and went up 2 points from April. She’s so proud and so am I. I need you to know it’s helping and appreciated. :-) Thank you.” Kim Redwine Parent of 2022 SEI Participants “Thank you so much for exposing the students to aviation and innovation today. Austin has been sharing since he walked in the door. He is so grateful... He even likes the ACT Prep! I want you to know you are making a difference and an impact. Austin gains wisdom and exposure every year!” Paula Stokes Parent of 2022, 2021, and 2020 SEI Participant “Kenneth complains about waking up early every morning, but he comes home every day telling me about his daily exposure to STEM... Thank you all for ‘pouring’ into the children in our community. Thank you for selecting Kenneth to be a part of it.” Tarsha Wynn-Scott Parent of 2022 SEI Participant “We really enjoyed the program and hopefully look forward to many more. You have given my 10th grader an idea of what he would like to major in (electrical engineering) and study at Lawson or Auburn University.” Lori Gray Parent of 2022 SEI Participant “Thank you, Dr. Thomas, for the program to ensure my daughter succeeds and for providing the funds to enlighten her young mind. She loved the robots and is currently doing well in math. The impact you are making is evident.” Susan Kariuki Parent of 2022 STEM Bridge participant 2022 SEI and STEM Bridge participants at Tuskegee University Tuskegee University
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16 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 Six Lawson State Community College STEM Scholars attended the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) in Anaheim, California from November 9-13, 2022. ABRCMS is one of the largest communities of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This year, there were over five thousand registrants in attendance from across the country. The following four students’ research abstracts were accepted for a Poster Presentation at ABRCMS 2022: DaVonte Curtis | Major: Computer Science Research Title: Bioinformatics in Web Development Preston London | Major: Mechanical Engineering Research Title: ZMIZ2 as a Potential Novel Cause of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Kyla Smith | Major: Biology Research Title: Characterization of Poly-(D,L-lactic acid)/ Titania Nanocomposite Microparticles for Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Water Quentin St.Charles | Major: Computer Engineering Research Title: De Novo Missense Change in TCF4 Leads to a Diagnosis of Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome and End to Diagnostic Odyssey STEM scholars competed against students from wellknown 4-year institutions such as Harvard University, Spelman College, Howard University, and Morehouse College. Attendees also received the opportunity to hear from renowned speakers, such as Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel into space, and Dr. Olajide Williams, Chief of Staff of the Department of Neurology at Columbia University. The ABRCMS Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Lawson State STEM scholar, Kyla Smith, was selected as a recipient of an ABRCMS 2022 Presentation Award in the Chemistry category for her research presentation titled, “Characterization of Poly-(D,L-lactic acid)/ Titania Nanocomposite Microparticles for Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Water.” As a result, she received a certificate and a $300 cash prize. A special thank you goes to Melanie Wilson, Speech Instructor, Dr. Rebecca Duncan, Arts and Humanities Chair, and Dr. Tracey Wilson, Natural Sciences Chair, for the time they spent in STEM meetings to critique the scholars’ presentations in preparation for ABRCMS. The LSCC STEM Program continues to seek exemplary students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics who are emerging scholars. If you are aware of intellectually and intrinsically motivated students who have at least a 3.0 grade point average and are pursuing fields such as engineering, biology, biomedical science, chemistry, physics, computer science, and mathematics, please encourage them to apply to the STEM Program at: http://www. lawsonstate.edu/STEM.aspx. Above: Kyla Smith wins Presentation Award in the Chemistry category at ABRCMS 2022. STEM Scholar Receives Presentation Award at National Research Conference
James Brinkley had the privilege of taking a photo with Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel into space. Kyla Smith DaVonte Smith Preston London Quentin St.Charles STEM Scholars travel to ABRCMS.
Shipt event on October 27, 2022 Left to right: Isaiah Bastien, Zoe Evans, and DaVonte Curtis. Above: Bianca Kindred and Jonathan Sevilla participate in the Weird Science event hosted by the Lawson State libary on October 27, 2022. Above: James Brinkley and Kadiatou Diallo attend the Appy Hour event on February 27, 2023. Above: The President of Spire Inc., Joe Hampton(right), visits the STEM Scholars Meeting on March 17, 2023. Above: Mrs. Naila Jaraysi (Math Team Coach) and members of the Math Team at Oxmoor Valley Elementary. STEM Scholars Making Waves On and Off-Campus Above: STEM Scholars representing at High School Senior Day at Lawson State on February 1, 2023. Above: Lawson State’s Math Team tutors at Oxmoor Vallley Elementary. Above: Isaiah Bastien and James Brinkley attend Appy Hour.
19 The Lawson State STEM Scholars were invited to Samford University’s STEM Scholars Day held on Friday, February 24, 2023. The STEM Scholars Program at Samford University is designed for academically gifted transfer students who are committed to a career in STEM and need financial assistance to complete their degrees. As a result of the partnership between Lawson State’s STEM Scholars Program and Samford University’s STEM Scholars Program, more than 10 Lawson State students have successfully transferred into Samford University’s STEM Scholars program on an NSF S-STEM scholarship. Some of those graduates include: Brittney Terry, Adriene Gadsden, Itzel Mendoza, Carissa Hope, Frank Gonzalez, Jonathan Borden, Roland Burks, Jaylen King, and Ashlie Terry. At the STEM Scholars Day event, participants “mixed and mingled” with students and faculty from Samford’s various STEM departments. They learned about faculty-mentored research opportunities and toured the campus. Lawson State STEM Scholars experienced eating lunch alongside other Samford students in the student cafeteria. Above: Admissions presentation at Samford’s STEM Scholars Day. Above: Alumni STEM Scholar, Adriene Gadsden(center), graduated from both Lawson State and Samford University. She gives advice to current Lawson State STEM Scholars. Samford University In addition, Dr. Betsy Dobbins, the STEM Director at Samford University, invited industry partners to the event. The theme was, “Connecting Minds and Opportunities.” STEM participants from both Lawson State and Samford University were able to interact with local companies such as Organogenesis; Regions Bank; Altec, Inc.; Freshwater Land Trust; Evonik Corporation; and the Cahaba River Society. For more information about Samford University’s STEM Scholars Program, contact: Betsy Dobbins, Ph.D. | STEM Director & Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences [email protected] 205-726-2937 Above: STEM Scholars take photo with Adriene Gadsden at Samford’s STEM Scholars Day.
20 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 Why the Community College Route Is Better Than You Think! By STEM Scholar, Isaiah Bastien | Major: Computer Science It’s the end of high school, and you just finally finished your senior year. You know you want to go college, but maybe you’re unsure where you want to go, don’t know how you’re going to pay for it, or what you’d like to major in yet. My name is Isaiah Bastien, and I am here to open your eyes to why attending a community college is a great route. Before we delve into that, I should tell you more about myself. When I graduated high school, I was very unsure of where I wanted to go to college for a number of reasons. At first, community college wasn’t even on my “radar” because of the common stigmas and stereotypes: that community college was a cheap education that wouldn’t truly help you achieve your goals or that it was a waste of time (which I’m sure most of us heard growing up). The thing is, the college I knew I wanted to attend was a bit expensive. I also knew that I would be the one to pay for my tuition. So, I decided to give Lawson State a try, and the experience I’ve had here is like none other. A great reason to consider a community college is that it can be inexpensive and can help lead you to exciting paths. First, community colleges are inexpensive. When I was applying to other colleges, the tuition was very expensive, and unfortunately, I did not have the GPA to qualify for a scholarship that would cover a considerable amount of tuition and fees. However, I saw that tuition at Lawson State was a fraction of the price at the other institution--especially considering scholarships which meant I basically would be paying pennies to attend. I immediately seized the opportunity and began my academic journey. Since being here, I‘ve not only been able to take courses offered by other institutions, but I did so in a much smaller one-on-one setting. Additionally, I received financial aid and grants from community college programs. The additional aid that Lawson State provided took a huge burden off my shoulders. Another reason to choose a community college is that it leads to exciting paths. The general purpose of community colleges is to mold and push you to transfer to the eventual four-year university you want to attend. Even for the many Lawson State students unsure of their major, there is a “General Studies” degree path. This allows students time for foundational learning while they explore options prior to transferring to a four-year institution. There’s a variety of programs to join that help you decide what you want to pursue and how to pursue it. Being a computer science major myself, it would only make sense to join the STEM Scholars program here at Lawson State, and the benefits have been exponential. From the connections I’ve made and the numerous conferences and internship opportunities, I’ve gained a better understanding of my degree and what paths I’d like to pursue in my field. This rich experience is to the credit of community college programs that may not be as accessible at a university. At the end of the day, any path you decide to pursue will not be easy--as with anything worth working for. Community college is a formidable option deserving of deliberate consideration. Isaiah Bastien (above right) is a Computer Science major and STEM Scholar at Lawson State. Additionally, he participated in the Re-IMAGINE Life Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) in 2022.
21 Summer 2022 Research Internships | Several STEM Scholars took advantage of paid summer internship opportunites. The length of the internships ranged from 4 weeks to 10 weeks, and the stipend amounts for such internships ranged from $2,000 to $6,000. STEM Scholar Summer 2022 Experience 1 Isaiah Bastien University of Alabama | Re-IMAGINE Life Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program 2 DaVonte Curtis UAB | Blazing to Biomedical Careers Program 3 Zoe Evans Vanderbilt University | Promoting Academic Excellence with Community Engagement and Reach (PAECER) Multicultural Scholars Program 4 Preston London HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology | Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Genomic Medicine (SURE-GM) 5 Kyla Smith UAB | Nanoscale Material and Biointegration REU 6 Quentin St.Charles HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology | Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Genomic Medicine (SURE-GM) Internship Highlights The Blazing to Biomedical Careers (BBC) program at UAB provides an opportunity for area community college students to enter into advanced biomedical research careers. It is part of a larger National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative to create an upward momentum for students who do not have access to advanced biomedical training and careers. The BBC program has the special mission of serving groups that are underrepresented in science professions, including: racial minorities, women, and rural students. The research phase consists of students spending a 10-week internship each summer (40 hours per week) carrying out a research project in a laboratory at one of UAB’s funded biomedical researchers. For more information about BBC, contact Dr. Tracey Wilson, LSCC BBC Program Coordinator, at [email protected]. The National Science Foundation (NSF) supported Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at UAB called Experimental and Computational Materials Research is among the longest running NSF REU programs in the country. The program offers a broad range of interdisciplinary materials research experiences to undergraduate students with diverse backgrounds in physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, applied mathematics, and engineering. REU projects are available in five research clusters: (1) computational materials, research/machine learning, (2) materials under extreme conditions, (3) materials for energy applications, (4) materials for sensors and laser applications, and (5) biomaterials for implants, tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. This is an in-person research model. Over the years, STEM Scholars have participated in research experiences hosted by the following institutions:
22 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 Girls IMPACT (GI) is a dynamic summer STEM program designed for girls of color (rising 8th through rising 12th graders) to be introduced to women of color who are current STEM professionals. Additionally, as mathematics is critical to success in STEM fields, the participants’ mathematics and problem-solving skills are developed throughout the program through ACT prep lessons, individualized tutoring sessions, and other hands-on STEM activities. The Need According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women are nearly half of the U.S. workforce but make up only 27% of the workers in STEM, and men vastly outnumber women in most STEM majors in college. About the 2022 Girls IMPACT Summer STEM Camp The 2022 Girls IMPACT Summer STEM Camp was sponsored by a NASA MUREP Pre-College Summer Institute grant. For the first time since the inception of the program, the Girls IMPACT program was able to offer participants, particularly those who didn’t live in the Birmingham area, an opportunity to stay in the residence hall on Lawson State’s Birmingham campus due to this particular grant. Also, as a result of receiving the NASA grant, NASA’s coding content, called Commercial Crew Orbital Docking (CODing) Simulation, was integrated into the curriculum. The 2022 program was held in-person for the first time since 2019. Participants were able to meet seven amazing female STEM professionals throughout the program. 2022 Girls IMPACT Recap Above: Making ice cream is a challenge , but someone has got to do it! Above: Girls IMPACT 2022 work on their solar hydralic robots. Above: Constructing solar hydraulic robots demands much focus and concentration.
2022 Girls IMPACT Recap Partner Above: Girls IMPACT 2022 meet Dr. Lonnie Johnson, Inventor of the Super Soaker Why You Should Try Girls IMPACT 85% of the 2022 participants answered “Yes” to the postsurvey question, “Did the program help increase your knowledge of math concepts?” 97.5% of the 2022 participants answered “Yes” to the postsurvey question, “Would you recommend this program to someone else?” of the 2022 participants answered “Yes” to the postsurvey question, “Do you feel this program increased your knowledge of STEM careers?” 95% Above: GI participants experience the fun of chemistry with ice cream. Above: Girls IMPACT 2022 construct Lego robots at the Johnson STEM Activity Center in Atlanta, GA. Blackboard Learn is a web-based virtual learning environment and Learning Management System(LMS). Daily STEM activities and assignments were housed in a Girls IMPACT portal hosted within the Blackboard platform. Each participant was given access to the Girls IMPACT portal on the first day of the program which allowed the participants to get to know each other much quicker through discussion boards. Additionally, participants traveled to Atlanta, Georgia on July 20, 2023 to visit the Johnson STEM Activity Center, which allowed them to meet Dr. Lonnie Johnson, inventor of the Super Soaker. During the field trip to the Johnson STEM Activity Center, participants took a tour of the facility and received the opportunity to operate a robot constructed by an existing robotics team and meet members of an all-girls robotics team. Participants were also placed into groups to construct a robot of their own using the Lego Mindstorms kit, and groups competed against each other in a robot race. Highlights of Achievements and Successes: 41 girls participated in the 2022 Girls IMPACT Summer STEM Camp over the course of two weeks 66% of the participants increased their ACT score by at least one point from pre- to post-test (within a 10-day period). Participants engaged with 7 STEM Professionals and engaged in at least 5 authentic STEM activities. Participants met Dr. Lonnie Johnson, Inventor of the Super Soaker, during a field trip to the Johnson STEM Activity Center.
24 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 2022 Girls IMPACT participants crush the Robot Challenges The charts on the right represent the participants’ responses from both the pre and post-surveys of the 2022 Girls IMPACT Summer STEM Camp. The pre-survey was completed before the first session began and as a way to confirm participation into the summer program. The post-survey was accessible to participants at the end of the last session of the program. Above: It is not all work for GI participants. Here, one of the GI icebreakers brings out the creativity and personalities of the participants. Pre-Survey Post-Survey If you were asked at this very moment, “What do mathematicians do?,” would you be able to confidently answer this question? No 9.8% Yes 90.2% If you were asked at this very moment, "What do engineers do?," would you be able to confidently answer this question? If you were asked at this very moment, "What do computer scientists do?," would you be able to confidently answer this question? No 19.5% Yes 80.5% If you were asked at this very moment, "What do physicists do?," would you be able to confidently answer this question? No 9.8% Yes 90.2% No 36.6% Yes 63.4% No 37.5% Yes 62.5% No 27.1% Yes 72.9% No 62.5% Yes 37.5% No 54.2% Yes 45.8
25 2022 Girls IMPACT Speakers Ms. Brandy McKinney is a graduate student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham(UAB) entering her fifth year in the Interdisciplinary Engineering Ph.D. program. Brandy has a Bachelor’s in Industrial and Systems Engineering, followed by an MBA concentrating in Supply Chain Management and Logistics, and 10+ years of work experience with the United Parcel Service (UPS). Dr. Farah D. Lubin is a Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She earned her Bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in Biology/ Chemistry from Alabama State University and her Ph.D. in Cell/Molecular Biology from SUNY Binghamton University in New York. She completed two postdoctoral fellowships at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Lubin is a researcher, and her main research work is focused on investigating the epigenetic basis of learning, memory, and its disorders, including memory deficits associated with normal aging and neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Adrienne Madison is the Chief of the Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention and Protection Team at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory in Fort Rucker, Alabama. Her interests in prosthetic devices and artificial organs led her to the University of Tennessee-Knoxville where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Materials Science and Engineering. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Georgia. Dr. Farah D. Lubin Dr. Adrienne Madison Ms. Brandy McKinney Dr. Valencia Wells received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from The University of Alabama. Dr. Wells is a 2009 graduate of the UAB School of Optometry. She has extensive experience with ocular diseases, diabetic and hypertensive eye care, glaucoma treatment, contact lenses, and pediatric vision care. Dr. Wells owns Morris Eyecare in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Valencia Wells Ms. Dominga Gardner Ms. Dominga Gardner has been working in the Jefferson County Merit System for over 17 years as an Application Developer Manager at Jefferson County Commission. She manages a team in improving workflow processes and implementing enterprise systems. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University in Computer Science with minors in Mathematics and Software Engineering. She also holds two Master of Science degrees in Educational Technology and Information Systems. Yes 90.2%
26 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 w In 2016, Girls IMPACT began as a result of a $1,000 service grant awarded to Dr. Shawanda Thomas from the Southern Regional Education Board. The vision was to expose minority girls to careers normally not pursued by women, specifically STEM careers, by providing them with the opportunity to meet minority women who were STEM professionals. IMPACT is an acronym for “Increasing Mathematical Potential Among College-Bound Teens.” Since mathematics is critical to the success of pursuing STEM fields, mathematics is interwoven throughout the program. The first year of the Girls IMPACT Summer Porgram was held at the Bessemer Public Library. Thirty Girls IMPACT participants received the opportunity to meet women who were successful STEM professionals once a week for six weeks. Additionally, participants received ACT prep, math tutoring, and increased critical thinking skills using hands-on STEM activities. Since 2017, the program has been hosted by Lawson State Community College as a result of former President Perry W. Ward’s enthusiasm to have such a program on campus. After two years of being virtual, Girls IMPACT was held on campus in 2022. With the backing of Lawson State Community College and its current President Dr. Cynthia T. Anthony, the initial $1,000 service grant seed has grown to over $450,000 in funding since the inception of the program. Dr. Shawanda Thomas Founder and Director, Girls IMPACT STEM Director, Lawson State Girls IMPACT: Origins
27 w “[The Girls IMPACT Program] has made me a better person and helped me make connections. This program [improved] my ACT scores and made my scores 2 pts higher. I have been doing this program for 4 years, and every year, I learn something different. I’ve changed my dream job a few times because of all of the speakers who are amazing and so inspiring. I will never forget this once [in a] lifetime experience.” Kennedi W., 2022 GI Participant “Honestly, the first day, I was really nervous, I knew no one, and everyone else seemed to know someone. On the second day, we played the Strings Attached game, where I began to learn new things about everyone. I met three people... three girls who shared the same common interests as me, and we really got along well! Thanks to the program, I felt like I could fit in!” Madison R., 2022 GI Participant “This program has taught me many things and refreshed my memory on some of the subjects I had previously learned. I was able to strengthen my math ability and my ACT skills which was needed since I will be taking the ACT soon. I learned about careers in STEM I had never even heard of before. Girls IMPACT this year has caused me to reexamine majoring in a STEM field. I met new people and made new friends. So overall, attending this program has positively impacted my life.” Nia T., 2022 GI Participant “This program has opened me up to more people. I have talked to more people than I expected I would. I made many friends and met girls with fun and loving personalities. The guest speakers motivated me to be better and do better and to never let anyone stop me from accomplishing my dreams.” Zarriah P., 2022 GI Participant Acknowledgments Thank you, 2022 Girls IMPACT Staff: Mrs. Jean Whitlow - STEM Administrative Assistant; Dr. Dutchess Jones -Mathematics Specialist; GI Interns Kera Dudley, I’yuana Morris, Charity Penn, Kayla Seals, and Yemesi Thompson; and Coding Facilitator: Mrs. Eula Todd
28 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 Above: Terry McCollough Above: Yemesi Thompson After earning his Master’s in Cyber Security from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Terry McCollough entered the cyber security world to explore his passion for identifying malicious threats that are delivered via e-mail. Driven by service, he takes pride in providing the best threat defense possible. As a Threat Analyst for Cofense, his goals are to enlighten the masses on the importance of cyber security. Cofense is the leading provider of phishing detection and response solutions. In addition to his primary job functions, Terry McCollough has been recognized for his extraordinary commitment to National Security and the field of science. Terry graduated from Lawson State in Spring 2017. A1C Yemesi Thompson is a Security Forces member in the United States Air Force. In February 2023, she graduated from Security Forces Tech School which is a training institute established to prepare military and law enforcement personnel for the protection of the nation. Her future plans include going back to school to cross-train in the area of chemistry after completing two years in the Air Force. Yemesi graduated from Lawson State in December 2021 with an Associate’s degree in Chemistry. James Brinkley earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Alabama A&M University in 2019 after graduating from Lawson State Community College with an Associate’s degree in mathematics in 2017. Since graduating from Lawson State, some of James’ accomplishments include working at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California as a research intern and BASF Catylysts in Huntsville, Alabama as a Laboratory Technician. James’ interests lie in both medicine and serving others. He is currently taking prerequisite courses needed for entry into a medical program. Above: James Brinkley Above: Ajie Mboob STEM Scholars Where Are They Now? Ajie Oumie Mboob is a Systems Engineer specializing in Aerospace Systems working for L3Harris Technologies in Mason, Ohio. Ajie attended Lawson State Community College from 2015-2017. She earned a full merit transfer scholarship to Alabama A&M University. Ajie graduated cum laude from Alabama A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics with a minor in Mathematics. During her time at Alabama A&M, Ajie conducted interferometry research within the optics department. After graduating in 2019, Ajie went on to work for NAVSEA Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City, Florida as a Scientist within the Acoustics Physics department. Ajie worked with underwater sonars and radar systems. She then began to pursue her degree in Systems Engineering at Florida State University in 2021. This propelled Ajie to her current role as a Model Based Systems Engineer for L3Harris where she works on Aerospace and IR Systems.
Telehealth, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and other modern technological advancements are revolutionizing the way humans interact with the world. However, such is the case with the preceding age--inception of the printing press, the steam engine, and penicillin would transform economy, warfare, and domestic life. Concurrent with each new age is its own paradigmatic shift marked by new conceptions, conventions, and reference frames of what it means to participate in humanity--many times to our own celebration or chagrin. The blockbuster series, “The Matrix”, left its indelible mark on the 2000’s. Its cultural contribution to the zeitgeist of the age permeates with heightened potency in the western world. Beyond impressive feats of computer-processing software and “bullet-time” CGI that drew us to Neo was the philosophical and intellectual discourse profuse with ideas about reality and our perception of it. In the Industrial Age, the brain—and even more so the body--may have been thought of as an efficient, keenly-outfitted machine. In this world, the universe is mechanistic just like a watch that ticks without fail or an optimized assembly with interchangeable parts. Nascent ideas prompted by postmodernity inundate our modern culture in the technologyinformation age. The brain is now discussed as a powerful “computer”—a bipedal, carbon-based central processing unit. Concomitant with this computerbased anthropological reference frame, the “Theory of Relativity” would illicit ideas that would dovetail seamlessly with such an understanding. Not only does the universe reveal a mechanistic, input-output, formulaic, clockwork phenomena, but like the “Matrix”, there is a relativistic, simulation-like, virtual reality. All these conceptions gallivanting in the public mind, the public communication of developments in quantum mechanics would makes its debut. “Super-position”, “Schrodinger’s cat”, and “quantum tunneling” seem to place the idea of alternate universes (“multiverses”) closer to the realm of possibility beyond our screens. STEM has always been at the helm of societal development. Any technological advancement inevitably gives rise to new conceptions of our world--or more accurately perhaps “re-packaged” conceptions of our world which is another topic altogether. Because of this reality, STEM students and professionals have an opportunity to discern a holistic approach when engaging in their field of work. If not integrated as formal pedagogy in the hard sciences, a “philosophy of science” serves as a useful companion. New discoveries provoke new questions—questions that occupy the moral landscape. To either beneficial or detrimental ends, STEM professionals have an opportunity to even “terraform” that landscape in light of pressing ethical issues: “Could artificial intelligence ever be a ‘conscious person’?” “Are there any ethical limits on IVF?” “What ethical concerns arise with facial-recognition technology?” “What precedent is there for so-called ‘physician-assisted euthanasia’?” “What are the pros and cons of ‘neural link’ and other human-tech integration devices?” To be a well-rounded problem-solver is not merely to optimize a CAD design or user interface, nor is it merely optimizing antibody production platform, nor is it merely normalizing a wave function. The queries that pervade the realm of science—where do we come from? Are we alone? Why is there something rather than nothing—impress upon the rational life. The practice of science assumes an objectively discernable reality that grounds our subjective experiences. Because of this existential reality, science can inform these pertinent quandaries in as far as empirical methods can address it. Yes, this means that science has “limits.” That should not alarm us. In fact, it should invigorate us. Science is most qualified to join the conversation—emphasis on “join.” Can Science Justify...Well...Science?” By Alumni STEM Scholar, James Brinkley | Bachelor’s in Physics STEM Research and Special Projects Assistant, Lawson State Community College
30 The STEMPOSIUM Magazine 2023 The Lawson State STEM Scholars Program is a program for undergraduate STEM majors at the College who are seeking additional opportunities related to careers involving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Eligibility: *STEM major at Lawson State *3.0 or higher GPA (high school or college) *Positive attitude and intrinsically motivated Once an eligible student is enrolled at the College, they should: 2 3 2 0 Research Integrity Service Excellence ADVERTISEMENT 1. Apply to the program Application link: http://www.lawsonstate.edu/stem.aspx 2. Look for correspondence related to details about the STEM Interview 3. Show up for interview prepared Scholars will be expected to commit to at least 7 hours per week to the program. The STEM Scholars Program is mostly funded by an NSF HBCU-UP Implementation grant, titled Pi-STEM E3, which is under NSF Award #1719329. A modest stipend is provided to active and engaged participants. For more information, e-mail: [email protected]
31 2022-23 STEM Scholars Jasmine Baskin | Biology Isaiah Bastien | Computer Science DaVonte Curtis | Computer Science Kadiatou Diallo | Computer Science Zoe Evans | Biology Syrus Fitts | Computer Science Bianca Kindred | Architecture Y’Nessia Lawson | Biology Kelvine Mamgue | Biomedical Science LaTarra McConnell | Biology Seth McCoy | Computer Science Kenneth Powell | Electrical Engineering Niesha Rashid | Animal Science Jonathan Sevilla | Materials Engineering Janecia Smith | Biomedical Science Kyla Smith | Biology Lafaith Stevenson | Biology Isaac Sullivan | Computer Science Steven Thompson |Industrial Electronics Technology Dezden Williams | Computer Science Ana Zavala | Mathematics Timothy Wynn | Computer Science JOIN THE STEM SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT LAWSON STATE! We would like to extend a special thank you to all Lawson State Community College administrators who have supported our programs, faculty/staff who have assisted us in recruiting students, and those individuals who agreed to be on the STEM Internal and External Advisory Boards. Integrity Service Excellence External Advisory Board Dr. Ruth Jones Acting Deputy Director, NASA Michoud Assembly Facility; New Orleans, LA Branch Chief, Industrial Safety, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center; Huntsville, AL Circe Starks Compliance Director Southern Power Brittney Terry Alumni STEM Scholar Ph.D. Candidate, University of California, Riverside Joaniteka Whitlow-Nixon Owner/CEO JDM Management Consulting, LLC Internal Advisory Board Dr. Bruce Crawford Vice President for Instructional Services Principal Investigator, NSF Pi-STEM E3 grant Institutional Liaison, NSF S-STEM MAKERS Dr. Shawanda Thomas STEM Director | Girls IMPACT Director Co-Principal Investigator, NSF Pi-STEM E3 Institutional Coordinator, NSF GA-AL LSAMP Dr. Karl Pruit Associate Dean Liberal Arts and Sciences and Transfer Programs Nancy Wilson Assistant Dean, Career Technical Education Weymon Holloway Chair, Mathematics Department Dr. Tracey Wilson Chair, Natural Sciences Department Institutional Liaison, UAB MERIT Program Dr. Lisa Schwiebert Director, UAB MERIT Program Professor & Senior Associate Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs |Responsible Conduct of Research Training Coordinator Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology
Thank you for supporting our STEM Programs at Lawson State Community College! Title III-B Strengthening HBCUs Program Doctoral Scholars Association Service Grant Community Action Grant STEM grant for HBCUs and PBIs with High School Programs Workforce Development STEAM Grant HBCU-UP Implementation Award# 1719329 Community College Development Pipeline For more information, CONTACT: Dr. Shawanda Thomas STEM Director Lawson State Community College [email protected] Our Sponsors