STEM

STEAM Fest connects Fairfax County youth with learning opportunities

Colleen Rich — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 18:46:18 +0000

STEAM Fest connects Fairfax County youth with learning opportunities Colleen Rich Mon, 10/17/2022 - 14:46

In This Story

Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

More than 300 K-12 students, parents, volunteers, community leaders and partners attended STEAM Fest at the Hybla Valley Community Center in Alexandria on Saturday.

The 200+ students in attendance engaged in more than 40 STEAM activities, including drone racing, trying out virtual reality, and riding on a hovercraft. Students learned about emerging technologies that can help build their interest and shape their career paths toward rewarding tech- or science-related careers. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

Mason President Gregory Washington chatting with STEAM Fest attendees. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

The event, co-sponsored by ��AV, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk and the Fairfax County’s Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub, was targeted to underserved youth in the Richmond Highway Corridor, Springfield and other Southeast Fairfax County Communities.

STEM NOLA, led by Calvin Mackie, provided programming, as did Mason faculty and other leaders.

Mason President Gregory Washington told the students that science, technology, engineering, arts and math are all tools to solve problems, and students should embrace their opportunities to be problem-solvers.

Topics

Developing a techno-ethical mindset

Rena Malai — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 14:35:12 +0000

Developing a techno-ethical mindset Rena Malai Wed, 08/24/2022 - 10:35

In This Story

Aditya Johri

Alexander Monea

Huzefa Rangwala

When it comes to technology, ethics can be complicated. With the rapid pace and evolution of digital technology, it can be tricky to understand how ethics plays a role, let alone stay on top of challenges, protocol, and procedures.

That’s why Ashish Hingle, PhD student and graduate researcher at George Mason, is helping students navigate the ethics terrain. Through an NSF grant titled Situated Algorithmic Thinking: Preparing the Future Computing Workforce for Ethical Decision-Making through Interactive Case Studies, Hingle will work alongside School of Computing’s Aditya Johri and Huzefa Rangwala, and Alexander Monea in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Their work will help technology-focused students think through ethical dilemmas, and provide the tools to imagine how ethics plays a role at school and work.

“To develop an ethical mindset, it is critical that students in IT, computing, and engineering learn to examine a problem, design, or a possible solution from different viewpoints and perspectives,” says Johri. “They should be able to take a morally sound and humanistic appraisal of the impact they have in the world through the technology they design, build, and deploy.”

Through role-play, case studies, and other activities Hingle hopes students will be engaged in technology ethics in a more creative and hands- on way.

“We want students to develop situational learning skills, and make the learning process more engaging, rather than encouraging the notion that technology ethics is closely associated with catastrophic or inequality driven events,” says Hingle. “Our job is to help students feel ready and to think of their own course of action to any ethical challenge they face with the technology they use or create.”

According to Hingle, sometimes the immediate solution is to solve ethical issues within technology, by applying more technology. This reliance on technology was a central theme of the Summer Institute of Technology Ethics at Santa Clara University, a research residency program where Hingle was selected as a research scholar. He says by giving students the tools to imagine their own course of action, it could be a more productive solution.

“We want ethics learning in technology to be more of an inclusive, fair, and transparent conversation, rather than students getting a history lesson of what went wrong in the past,” says Hingle. “Our students have been very receptive to exploring what technology ethics looks like in 2022, and are especially engaged when they realize how ubiquitous and pervasive technology can be. We want to continue to find ways to make technology ethics more approachable and adaptable.”

He says while digital technology is a relatively new concept, technology ethics have been discussed for decades. In our current landscape, they are often an afterthought. But by starting students on the path to an ethical mindset as it applies to technology, it could help prevent issues before they start.

“I’m excited about the work we do,” says Hingle. “When it comes to technology ethics, it makes sense for people to be at the center of our choices, not the tech.”

This work is partly supported by U.S. NSF Award #1937950. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agencies.

Topics

Summer Saturdays Spark Interest in STEM

Tama Moni — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 18:17:35 +0000

Summer Saturdays Spark Interest in STEM Tama Moni Wed, 08/03/2022 - 14:17

Elementary school students operating a drone with a controller.

The Nguyen Engineering Building buzzed with activity on Saturday mornings throughout the month of July as the Office of Diversity and Inclusive Learning hosted 200 elementary, middle, and high school students for STEM Summer Saturdays.

“It was exciting to see so many kids here at the college. We hope the experience sparked an interest in STEM that will continue throughout their school year, and we see some of them again next year,” says Mercadi Crawford, diversity associate for the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC).

The students learned about flying drones, forensic science and entrepreneurship, statistics, career pathways and preparing for college. College of Engineering and Computing faculty and staff volunteered to make the experience both enjoyable and educational. Student mentors and orientation leaders were also on hand to help.

Parents said their children raved about the program were grateful for the opportunity to explore STEM careers, see possibilities, and focus on abilities. They came home excited to research careers in fields such as forensic toxicology and other areas they might not have otherwise known about. Many parents look forward to seeing the program again next year.

“The support from our partners in the College of Science, the National Society of Black Engineers, STEAM Pipelines, The Abacus Project and the Department of Statistics was spectacular,” says Christi Wilcox, CEC diversity associate. “We are so thankful for their contributions.”

Topics

STEM

Summer Camps

College of Engineering and Computing

College of Science

diversity

Students get a professional boost with Break Through Tech’s Guild program

Rena Malai — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 15:13:01 +0000

Students get a professional boost with Break Through Tech’s Guild program Rena Malai Wed, 07/20/2022 - 11:13

In This Story

Shvetha Soundararajan

Team 6 present their app project during the last day of Guild.

The 2022 Break Through Tech DC summer Guild program at George Mason took place in June. A hybrid approach allowed students to participate remotely, with the last day commencing with an in-person gathering at Dewberry Hall.

About 40 students participated in the Guild at Mason, which included interactive activities, presentations, and team projects. With networking opportunities mixed in, students from underrepresented backgrounds had a chance to do a deeper dive into their computing education and career paths through Guild.

According to Shvetha Soundararajan, Break Through Tech DC site lead at George Mason, the Guild program is intended to encourage women and students from underrepresented groups to explore computing in a meaningful way.

“Through the Guild, we showcase that computing is for all, it is inclusive and accessible, and that there are many more aspects to building software than just coding,” she says.

Guild participants worked in teams to develop an app, and present their work at the end of the week. First place went to team 2, and their app Sign With Me, which teaches preschoolers the alphabet in sign language.

Second place went to team 3 for the app Biome World, that helps educate elementary school students about biomes. Team 6 received third place for their app APventures, an AP level study app designed to feel like an adventure game.

“The 2022 Guild participants worked together in teams to create innovative and unique EdTech apps that are valuable,” says Soundararajan. “They worked very hard to create productivity, study, and collaboration apps for students of different age groups.”

Mason junior Helen Chen says Guild opened up the doors for her to learn coding, and even get in some public speaking practice.

“I was so happy to learn JavaScript and create something with code for the first time,” says Chen. “Presenting our project to the professors and industry leaders was truly an unforgettable experience and I think it might have cured my fear of public speaking a little bit.”

Freshman Anabela Shearer says Guild was a great experience and it helped her feel more confident about pursuing a computing career.

“I was able to meet Mason students who are also pursuing a career in computer science,” says Shearer. “It helped me feel confident in my knowledge of coding. I have never coded before prior to Guild but it was easy for me to catch up with the others who have.”

Mentors from major corporations like Booz Allen Hamilton and Microsoft also attended Guild. According to Gerald Irish, senior software engineer at Microsoft, it’s important to contribute towards building a more inclusive industry for the next group of IT professionals.

“Sometimes we take for granted how we navigated the challenges we faced while moving through the industry, so sharing our experiences can help students from underrepresented groups feel more comfortable navigating those challenges for themselves,” says Irish. “Going forward I hope the mentees we interacted with will use us as a resource for guidance, connections, or just as a sounding board to help them along the way.”

The Break Through Tech Guild program is open to all students with a focus on women and nonbinary individuals who are first and second year students. Students can be enrolled in any major or minor. No prior experience is required to apply for Guild.

“The Guild and other BTT programs would not be possible without the support of our industry partners,” says Soundararajan. “For a second consecutive year, we received overwhelming support from our industry partners and industry mentors from Booz Allen Hamilton, Microsoft, Appian, and Accenture.”

About Break Through Tech 

Break Through Tech works at the intersection of academia and industry to propel more women and underrepresented communities into technology degrees and careers. BTT DC is the first cross-institutional collaboration, partnering with Mason and the University of Maryland. 

Topics

Tech Talent Investment Pipeline (TTIP)

Mason ECE graduate student gets SMART

Rena Malai — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 17:00:59 +0000

Mason ECE graduate student gets SMART Rena Malai Tue, 07/05/2022 - 13:00

Getting a Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarship isn’t easy, but it’s a gainful step toward building a career of growth, enrichment, and opportunities within the U.S. government.

Sabrina Stenberg sees the SMART scholarship as a way to maximize her graduate studies at George Mason while remaining employed as a chemical engineer with the Department of Defense (DoD). Through the scholarship, Stenberg can focus on her master of science in electrical engineering at Mason full-time.

Stenberg says the scholarship is funded by DoD with the aim of attracting and retaining people into STEM careers at the government level.

“I am really happy to win this scholarship,” says Stenberg. “This way I can finish in three more semesters and make the most of the experience, connecting with other students and my professors.”

Stenberg, a Northern Virginia native, says the scholarship is not a one stop source of money. Rather, it requires commitment and accountability so anyone thinking of applying should be prepared.

“People should be mindful that this scholarship does have conditions,” says Stenberg. “You will be expected to commit to your program of study, keep up your grades, and agree to fulfill the one-to-one scholarship for service time commitment with DoD for every year of funded study. Any withdrawals can result in penalties, like paying back your tuition.”

She feels the conditions are worth it, as it will open up the doors to plenty of great job opportunities.

“In my current job, I became more interested in electronics and I decided to combine that interest by studying control and robotics,” says Stenberg. “It’s a valuable area to learn about as there are a lot of autonomous systems within the military.”

Although Stenberg was already employed by DoD, anyone interested in SMART does not have to be employed before applying. Potential applicants do need to be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, have a high GPA, and be able to accept employment with DoD after graduating.

The SMART program, part of the DoD science, technology, engineering, and mathematics portfolio provides STEM students with the tools needed to pursue higher education and begin a rewarding career with the DoD. Scholarship winners can receive full tuition as well as a stipend and full-time employment after graduation.

Topics

STEM

scholarship

diversity

Electrical Engineering

robotics and autonomous systems

Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center

Padhu Seshaiyer honored with Council on Undergraduate Research Inclusivity Award

John Hollis — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 17:17:25 +0000

Padhu Seshaiyer honored with Council on Undergraduate Research Inclusivity Award John Hollis Thu, 06/16/2022 - 13:17

Padmanabhan Seshaiyer. Photo by Creative Services

��AV’s Padmanabhan Seshaiyer was recently named the winner of the 2022 Inclusivity Award presented by the Mathematics and Computer Sciences Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR).

Seshaiyer, a professor of mathematics within the College of Science, called the recognition of his efforts to achieve greater inclusion in STEM “very satisfying.”

“This award helps to recognize my commitment to continuously drive forward and practicing positive change across all teams and organizations I work with, bringing inclusion to the next level for ourselves and the students we serve,” he said. “I am happy that I am able to continue to create inclusive and equitable opportunities that help to contribute to both Mason's inclusive mission and purpose as well as the broader Mathematics and Computer Science Community.”

The Inclusivity Award is bestowed annually to a member who has shown excellence and sustainable work to broaden access to mathematics and/or computer science, with a focus on implementation of real-world research projects for undergraduate students, according to the CUR website. A desirable contribution would be one that influences the community in a significant and positive way on a national scale, or has the potential do so, especially engaging a wider audience, similar to the National Science Foundation’s broader impacts.

“Dr. Seshaiyer is such a distinguished researcher and an outstanding scholar,” said Haseeb A. Kazi, the chair of the CUR’s mathematics and computer science division. “We are so very much proud and fortunate to have him as a worthy colleague in our division!”

Seshaiyer has long worked to promote inclusion efforts in STEM that create safe environments where students and faculty can contribute diverse perspectives.

His Project MOST (Mason Outreach in STEM for Teachers) helped establish a new generation of K-12 teacher leaders who help disseminate best practices in integrated STEM education to improve student learning. The program educates teacher participants about the learning characteristics of underrepresented populations, awareness of cultural differences, understanding of students with multiple learning styles, and the use of equitable and non-biased assessments. It also has helped teachers to recognize their own biases, enlightening them about local communities, and recognizing how talents appear in various cultures. Project MOST also helped create an inclusive STEM curriculum to provide effective pedagogical and instructional approaches through culturally responsive teaching, learning materials, STEM-lab activities to support the learning by doing, performance-based assessments that are both formative and summative.

“This helps to increase innovation, productivity, higher likelihood of STEM success, which in turn helps to promote economic growth and STEM competitiveness,” Seshaiyer said. “While the number of people from under-represented groups in the STEM workforce has grown over the past decade, I strongly believe that STEM programs that are designed to be inclusive will help with much faster increases that are greatly needed for the STEM workforce to be representative of the U.S. population in the next decade.”

Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, the dean of the College of Science, lauded Seshaiyer for his efforts.

“The work of promoting social justice is not easy,” said Miralles-Wilhelm, “yet it is vitally important and we appreciate Padhu for his efforts to establish a number of the college’s access, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion-focused outreach efforts.”

The Mathematics and Computer Sciences Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research supports research in mathematics, computer science, and associated disciplines of informatics, cybersecurity, data science, statistics and actuarial science.

Topics

College of Science

STEM

Faculty and Staff News

Stepping onto a different path

Rena Malai — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 16:51:18 +0000

Stepping onto a different path Rena Malai Mon, 06/13/2022 - 12:51

Britney Aiken, recent information technology grad, comes from a family where everyone works in healthcare.

Although she thought about following suit, Aiken knew she wanted a different path. She says she loved math in high school and wanted to do something in the field of engineering once she reached college. Her mom picked up on her daughter’s tech abilities early on, and Aiken attended Academies of Loudoun, a STEM program for high school students in Loudoun County, Va.

“As far as I can remember, I was always drawn to technology,” says Aiken. “I chose to pursue information technology in higher education because I wanted a well-rounded perspective. Computer science is a popular way to go, but IT covers everything- cloud computing, cybersecurity, computer networking, web development, programing, and more.”

Aiken says joining the Break Through Tech DC program at George Mason allowed her to be surrounded by like -minded people who are just as intrigued and interested in engineering as she is.

“As a Break Through Tech student peer leader and a Mason ambassador, people ask me about the difficulty level of engineering, is it too hard to do,” says Aiken. “The best thing to set yourself up for success is to join a community like Break Through Tech and talk with professors and advisors. Don’t be afraid to put your brand out there early.”

Setting a good example for future STEM grads is a motivating factor for Aiken, who will be working at Amazon full time after interning for the tech magnate last summer in Denver. She’s excited to be part of a change that will hopefully encourage more women into STEM careers.

“I took an engineering class in high school and I was the only girl,” says Aiken. “I want more women to join this field. There is nothing we can’t achieve.”

She may have broken the mold for one of her sisters, who might join sibling rank by also pursuing STEM.

“I feel like I’m definitely more aware now that other people are watching me, not in a bad way but it makes me want to set a good example in the way I interact with people and face challenges, whether it’s related to engineering or just life,” says Aiken. “I just want to set a good example for my sisters, and other students around me.”

About Break Through Tech 

Topics

Break Through Tech

STEM

diversity

information technology

Instinct can lead to great things

Rena Malai — Fri, 27 May 2022 15:20:51 +0000

Instinct can lead to great things Rena Malai Fri, 05/27/2022 - 11:20

Brenda Henriquez, a brand-new computer science graduate as of May, says she always had ��AV on her radar. Coming into a STEM area felt like a natural fit for her and she was excited to join the Break Through Tech DC at George Mason initiative as a peer leader.

“I’ve already seen and experienced the empowerment that comes from being a part of the Mason community. Joining Break Through Tech as a peer leader was my opportunity to be on the other side, and offer empowerment back to the students in STEM,” she says.

Henriquez founded the first ever ThinkBowl 2022, a female and non-binary focused collaborative pitch competition to assist students in bringing their tech ideas closer to reality. Through support from Break Through Tech and Girls Who Code, Henriquez helped students reach their goals and dive deeper into STEM areas.

ThinkBowl differs from a traditional hackathon, according to Henriquez, as the focus is more on the process of creating and editing a pitch rather than developing a functioning piece of software or hardware by the end of the event. ThinkBowl participants created projects such as mobile apps on recycling, proposed changes to the Mason360 user interface and functions, and a contemporary connections app – helpful for roommates – that splits utility bills equally.

“ThinkBowl 2022 was created to invest in creating a community to help and support female and non-binary students accelerate their growth within technology education and careers,” says Henriquez. “Our peer leaders still keep in touch.”

Henriquez also spent time with her fellow peer leaders hosting events on Masters/PhD workshops and forming Break Through Tech groups to participate in Patriot Hacks 2022. She was awarded the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award at the Computer Science Awards ceremony held in May.

“I feel fortunate to be a part of a community where there is support for many different paths,” she says. “I also hope others feel that they have a community where changing the plan they initially had for their future is supported. Break Through Tech is here to welcome them.”

About Break Through Tech

Break Through Tech works at the intersection of academia and industry to propel more women and underrepresented communities into technology degrees and careers. Break Through Tech DC is the first cross-institutional collaboration, partnering with Mason and the University of Maryland.

Topics

President Washington, Dean Ball address ASEE Industry 4.0 Workforce Summit

Rena Malai — Wed, 04 May 2022 17:52:12 +0000

President Washington, Dean Ball address ASEE Industry 4.0 Workforce Summit Rena Malai Wed, 05/04/2022 - 13:52

In This Story

Gregory Washington

Kenneth Ball

George Mason President Gregory Washington
delivers a keynote address during the ASEE
Industry 4.0 Workforce summit.

Engineers from all corners of the globe gathered in Washington, D.C. for the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Industry 4.0 Workforce Summit, held in April. The summit mainly touched on challenges within engineering curriculums, and how diversity within the field could be strengthened.

��AV provided premiere academic sponsorship for the summit, which featured a keynote address from President Gregory Washington and panel discussion from Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing Ken Ball.

According to Washington, folks had to shift to online education practically overnight with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Combined with job loss, climate changes, and overall uncertainty it’s been a dramatic time for many people. It’s all a part of the engineering grand challenges, he says.

“These level one challenges that we are currently dealing with are the ones that are hitting us as a country dramatically right now,” says Washington. “We’re dealing with unprecedented change.”

Washington expressed that the important questions to ask are whether engineering curriculums are preparing students for current reality and giving them the tools that they need to have for what’s coming now.

“Currently 47 percent of jobs in the U.S. are at risk due to automation,” says Washington. “More than half of the top ten in demand jobs currently, did not exist in 2008. We’re going to have new fields of endeavor over the next five years that we’re not prepared for today. That’s what I think about when I think about 4.0.”

Ball emphasized it’s important to find innovative ways around any resistance to changes within curriculums. One is for college faculty to have the opportunity to spend time within industry working spaces, and bring those experiences to the classroom.

CEC Dean Ken Ball addresses the audience at the ASEE Industry 4.0
Workforce summit.

“When industries provide opportunities for faculty to even spend a month in a work industry, or a summer, it makes a huge change in the way they approach teaching and working with students,” says Ball. “I think any way we can deepen that interaction would have a good impact.”

Talent recruitment was also discussed at the summit, particularly when it comes to opportunities for younger people starting out.

“We need more competitive individuals in the pipeline, and we need to get them in cheaper,” says Washington. “One way to do that is through transfer programs at community colleges. Mason has 80 academic programs where you can start off at a community college and not lose any time.”

“We need culturally relevant K-12 outreach. I’m not going to (be able to) engage that person in a framework that they’re not connected with or accustomed to. I need to engage them where they are. If they like rap music, there’s STEM in rap music. If you’re going into Flint, go in there with Flint water. People get really interested when you’re talking about their water. There’s a lot of ways to make this culturally relevant, and we have to.”

Attendees from bigger companies were encouraged overall to think on expanding, or incorporating, STEM internship programs.

ASEE, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit organization of individuals and institutions committed to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology. The summit goal was to reach a consensus on improvements to engineer curricula, work-based experiences, policies, and practices.

Topics

affordable higher education

diversity

STEM

Curriculum Development

New Mason IT grad says ‘just go for it’

Rena Malai — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 19:59:42 +0000

New Mason IT grad says ‘just go for it’ Rena Malai Mon, 04/25/2022 - 15:59

It was a friend’s serendipitous homework assignment that had Dania O Abu-Irshaid, upcoming George Mason graduate from the Department of Information Sciences and Technology, switch her undergrad work from pre-law to a STEM path.

She says she’s always had a natural knack for coding, and it’s something that’s always interested her. But when she helped a fellow Mason student with a Python coding exercise, that’s when it clicked.

“I was thinking about pre-law, but after taking a class in it, I didn’t feel like it suited me. I was undecided,” says Abu-Irshaid. “Then my friend was struggling with this homework assignment and I ended up finishing it for her in five minutes. She looked at me and said, this is what you should be doing.”

When Abu-Irshaid made the move to study IT, with a concentration in cybersecurity, that’s when things really picked up for her. As the oldest child in her family, she was relied on to be the tech savvy expert and help fix wifi routers in the house or explain internet nuances to her parents. Although she is the first female in her family to study and work in STEM, she’s confident of the opportunities coming her way.

After graduation, Abu-Irshaid will enter a ten weeklong internship with the Virginia Department of Elections, where she will work in the cybersecurity sector. She also sees potential for a corporate position with one of the big contenders—namely Walmart. As a resident advisor at Mason to freshman engineering students, Abu-Irshaid says some of her mentees good naturedly tease her about her Walmart aspirations to this day.

“I’m like, guys, Walmart isn’t just about celery and sticky buns, they have a corporate side,” she says. “But they’ll still ask me how Walmart’s going and what kind of merchandise I have.”

With a bright future ahead, she says she’ll miss her time at Mason, particularly the diverse community and her role as an advisor.

“I love the community and culture at Mason. There’s always something to do, and something to look forward to on campus. But I’ll hopefully be back, in some capacity,” says Abu-Irshaid.

Her message for future grads is to just go for it, whether it’s a job, course of study, or opportunity.

“It’s really as simple as that, and it’s what got me everywhere,” she says. “Just go to that club meeting, go to that class, ask your professor that question. You’re not going to get the results unless you go for it.”

Topics

Information Sciences and Technology Department

Graduation

CEC 2022 graduates