Panel at Aki Kurose Middle School

 

November 8, 2019 | IGNITE Panel at Aki Kurose Middle School | by Stuart Chernis

On Friday, Nov. 8, Aditi Saluja, Senior Data Scientist at T-Mobile, and Charmaine Manganello, Reporting & Data Analyst at Brooks Running, visited Aki Kurose Middle School as part of an IGNITE event. They spoke with 38 students in two Computer Science classes, where they shared their experiences growing up in the Philippines and India and immigrating to the United States. Charmaine helped the students understand how fortunate they are to have access to public education, which is not available to everyone in the Philippines. Aditi shared that in India she couldn’t be involved in sports or other after school activities; studying was the main priority.

Both women also spoke about their careers and what they do in their jobs.  They stressed the importance of believing in themselves and never giving up on their dreams. It takes hard work but is worth it!

The students got a chance to ask questions and wanted to know more about T-Mobile’s sponsorship of T-Mobile Park and STEM related to shoe manufacturing and design. Both speakers were very gracious with their time and sharing their experiences. The students left with a better understanding of STEM possibilities in different industries and were inspired to work hard and take advantage of opportunities!

Thank you to Charmaine Manganello and Aditi Saluja for spending time with Aki Kurose and encouraging and inspiring our students!

After attending this event:

69%

of girls/non-binary students are more interested in STEM

55%

of girls/non-binary students want to investigate taking a STEM related course next semester

Here's what the students enjoyed most:

"It inspired me to code! Something that was entertaining was the slide show. Everything was perfect!"

- 6th grade

 

"The presentation and the questions we asked. Something that inspired me was asking each of us what we want to do when we are older."

- 6th grade

 

"Technology! It inspired me to learn more about tech."

- 6th grade

 

"I got to know about people's life and how they were born in a poor family."

- 6th grade

 

"How STEM was in everything, even in shoes."

- 6th grade

 

"I liked how they showed a lot about their life and also their company"

- 6th grade

 

"It inspired me because I want to do coding for video games."

- 6th grade

 

"That Brooks turns data into pictures."

- 6th grade

 

"How they work hard and their daily work."

- 6th grade

 

"When they talked about their homes."

- 6th grade

 

"I loved that they were kind."

- 6th grade

 

"It inspired me to work hard."

- 6th grade

 

"The highlight was learning about the companies."

- 6th grade

 

"That the brands have more meaning."

- 6th grade

 

"Meeting someone from T-Mobile!"

- 6th grade