STEM It Up!
STEM It Up! showcases amazing women leading the way through awesome careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Check out these short stories by women of all backgrounds highlighting STEM fields to help your students discover their own STEM path.
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STEM It Up! Presentations View All
Welcome to STEM It Up!
Looking for other ways to explore careers of interest? Learn about Kirkwood Workplace Learning Connection’s Job Shadow and Internship Programs.
Teri Myers
Engineering Leader, Navigation and Sensor Systems - BAE Systems
Teri Myers serves as Leader for Knowledge and Engagement at BAE Systems, a leading US defense company that develops advanced GPS and radio navigation technology. With a mechanical engineering degree from Iowa State University, Teri has built a strong track record in systems engineering, having held key roles at NASA, Rockwell Collins, and BAE Systems. Her diverse experience spans design and development, testing, training, and leadership, preparing her for her current position. In this role she oversees knowledge management, internal culture, and community engagement initiatives. Teri is committed to giving back to the community through volunteer work with local schools and non-profit organizations.
Women in Advanced Manufacturing and Welding
Jayda Bowman,
Mia De La Cruz, and
Samantha Zahradnik
Kirkwood Community College Welding Students
Hear from three young women currently studying in Advanced Manufacturing and Welding. These students share why advanced manufacturing and welding are great careers to consider, what they love about these fields, how to prepare for a career in the industry, and more.
Dolce Wong
Associate Producer - Walt Disney Imagineering
Dolce is an Associate Producer with Walt Disney Imagineering, a sector of the Walt Disney Company that designs and builds theme parks and world resorts, including Disney cruises and hotels around the world! She brings people together across all disciplines to collaborate on projects and move them forward. Dolce has combined her engineering background and her artist background to create new experiences for vacationers around the world.
Kimberly Fiock, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist in Dept. of Pathology - University of Iowa Hospital
Kimberly graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology. As an undergrad, she did a summer internship in the neuropathology lab of Dr. Thomas Beach, which sparked her interest in studying neurodegenerative tauopathies. Two years later, she graduated with a Master of Science in Pathology from the University of Iowa. Her master’s thesis work in the Dr. Marco Hefti Lab focused on mapping the expression, phosphorylation, and splicing pattern of the tau protein in the developing human brain, as well as within induced pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids.
Choosing to Work in the Agricultural Industry
Corteva Agriscience
Working in agriculture is challenging, but for most farmers it’s their calling. For many women at Corteva Agriscience, it is a passion that’s been passed down from generation to generation. Hear the stories of women who choose to work in the ag industry and why they love their career.
Educators, feel free to use these speaker engagement questions with your students as they view presentations.
STEM Resources
Here are some additional fun and engaging resources you can use to help your students explore STEM fields: