11. Vicki Coaty - Programs Director, High Tech Kids Minnesota

06/17/20 • 70 min

Ordinarily Extraordinary - Conversations with women in STEM

Vicki is the Programs Director for High Tech Kids in Minnesota, the non-profit organization that organizes and runs robotics tournaments for kids such as FIRST LEGO League. While Vicki doesn't have a degree in a STEM field herself - she calls her degree in political science the "other" science, Vicki is getting girls into the pipeline for STEM careers. She has been involved with FIRST LEGO League robotics tournaments for over 20 years starting as a parent, then coach, then volunteer, then staff. She is passionate about the programs they create and the opportunities it provides for kids to learn about technology and STEM.
Episode Notes
Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio
Acronyms and Definitions
First Lego League Challenge (FLL) - FIRST® LEGO® League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 9-14 (US), 4-16 (globally) through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem solving experience through a guided, global robotics program. (www.firstinspires.org)
Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) - a fuel produced from various types of waste such as municipal solid waste (MSW), industrial waste or commercial waste. (wikipedia)
Nano Technology - manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. A more generalized description of nanotechnology was subsequently established by the National Nanotechnology Initiative, which defines nanotechnology as the manipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers. (wikipedia)
Fact Check
First authors 3 robotics programs: FIRST LEGO League Discover for preK - Grade 1; FIRST LEGO League Explore for Grade 2-4; FIRST LEGO League Challenge for Grade 4-8; FIRST Tech Challenge for grades 7-12; FIRST Robotics Challenge for grades 9-12.
First Lego League is in 41 countries.
First Lego League started in 1999. There is a lot of information about themes in different years, etc. on wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIRST_Lego_League_Challenge)
High Tech Kids is a Minnesota nonprofit founded in 1999 that supports
youth STEM programs in Minnesota. High Tech Kids offers high
energy, fun, team-based programs and competitions that celebrate
science and technology. Through these robotics and coding programs
and events, student teams discover the fun in science, engineering
and technology. High Tech Kids is committed to introducing the next generation of
engineers, scientists, computer programmers, technicians, policy
makers and project managers to the challenge and promise of STEM.
High Tech Kids inspires kids to BUILD confidence, CREATE
opportunities and THRIVE in the 21 st century. (hightechkids.org)

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9. Beth Stone-Smith - Entomologist, self declared "Bug Nerd"

Beth is an entomologist that works in the federal government. She has a master's degree in entomology and focuses her work on keeping America's food supply safe from pests. She discusses the importance of relationships in her job and shares her experiences traveling overseas for work.
Episode Notes
Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio
Acronyms and Definitions
Exercise Physiology - Exercise physiologists analyze their patients’ fitness in order to help them improve their health or maintain good health. They help patients with heart disease and other chronic conditions, like diabetes or pulmonary (lung) disease, to regain their health. They also work with both amateur and professional athletes who are hoping to boost their performance. (https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/sports-medicine/exercise-physiologist/)
Pest Control Advisor - responsible for scouting crops and identifying pests that can affect a farmer’s harvest. Based on their observations they then make recommendations on treatment and suggest products or other methods to control or prevent problems. (https://www.agcareers.com/career-profiles/pest-control-adviser.cfm)
Land Grant Institution - an institution of higher education in the United States designated by a state to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890. Signed by Abraham Lincoln, the first Morrill Act began to fund educational institutions by granting federally controlled land to the states for them to sell, to raise funds, to establish and endow "land-grant" colleges. The mission of these institutions as set forth in the 1862 Act is to focus on the teaching of practical agriculture, science, military science, and engineering (though "without excluding... classical studies") as a response to the industrial revolution and changing social class. (wikipedia)
USDA - United States Department of Agriculture - Provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management. (https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda)

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12. Cristine Korowajczuk - Computer Engineer, Wireless Industry, Technical Education, Training, and life long learner

Cristine works in technical sales and support in the wireless industry. She has spent much of her career doing technical education, training, and documentation. She capitalizes on her insatiable curiosity and need to thoroughly understand things both in her career as an educator and in her role as a mom. Cristine also shares her childhood and educational experience growing up in Brazil.
Episode Notes
Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio
Acronyms and Definitions
Computer Engineering - the branch of engineering that integrates electronic engineering with computer sciences. Computer engineers design and develop computer systems and other technological devices.
Russian School of Mathematics - an after school program that provides mathematics education for children attending K–12 of public and private schools. The school provides children the opportunity to advance in mathematics beyond the traditional school curriculum. The founder of RSM is Inessa Rifkin and co-founder is Irene Khavinson (wikipedia)
GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications - a standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to describe the protocols for second-generation (2G) digital cellular networks used by mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets. (wikipedia)
GPRS - General Packet Radio Service - a packet oriented mobile data standard on the 2G and 3G cellular communication network's global system for mobile communications(GSM). (wikipedia)
3GPP - The 3rd Generation Partnership Project - unites [Seven] telecommunications standard development organizations (ARIB, ATIS, CCSA, ETSI, TSDSI, TTA, TTC), known as “Organizational Partners” and provides their members with a stable environment to produce the Reports and Specifications that define 3GPP technologies. (www.3gpp.org)
Fact Check
When did wireless come to Brazil? The history of mobile telephony in Brazil began on 30 December 1990, when the Cellular Mobile System began operating in the city of Rio de Janeiro, with a capacity for 10,000 terminals. According to Anatel (the national telecommunications agency), there were 667 devices in the country. The number of devices rose to 6,700 in the next year, to 30,000 in 1992. In November 2007 3G services were launched, and increased rapidly to almost 90% of the population in 2012 and the agreements signed as part of the auction specify a 3G coverage obligation of 100% of population by 2019. (wikipedia)
Claude Shannon - (April 30, 1916 – February 24, 2001) was an American mathematician, electrical engineer, and cryptographer known as "the father of information theory". Shannon is noted for having founded information theory with a landmark paper, "A Mathematical Theory of Communication", that he published in 194