Meet Helena
Helena is in 11th grade and lives in Evanston, Illinois, a little outside Chicago. Helena loves STEM, the arts and choir.
Helena has participated in the First Tech Challenge and local robotics competitions that include competitions and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
“I like trying out possible designs that we can use for our machinery and working with a team of people who are equally as excited about the projects as I am.”
Helena has helped the robotics team find the resources and equipment needed to keep up with competitions.
“Being on a team that's not funded by the school or does not have pre-established connections to organizations, it was hard to source all the parts that we needed, especially to keep up with the competition. Since we're a rookie team, we needed new motors, new gears and different equipment. So, learning how to make connections, come off professionally through email, and how to advocate what you need to adults were important skills I learned.”
Helena has found a strong sense of community participating in afterschool STEM activities.
“I have been participating in a lot of programs that are full of minorities (students) and mentors I’ve had have been minorities. It's been very nice to see myself reflected in that kind of community. I’m also mentoring younger kids and getting to see myself bring people into a warm community has been really nice”
Helena finds participation in STEM activities to be a useful, creative outlet.
“I use it (STEM) as a creative outlet. I find it really interesting and exciting to figure out how things work and how things have evolved to become what we know them to be. Figuring out how to take an idea from my brain and turn it into something is the coolest.”
Helena shares some advice to get more young people excited about STEM.
“I want there not just to be access for people who are passionate and actively looking for it, because sometimes programs and interests take a second to spark for you to get used to things. I also want more adults to actively seek out opportunities for kids and that not just be something that is searched for at a household level.”