Jia is a 15 year old sophomore at Fort Mill High School. She loves STEM, technology, and coding, as well as acting and music.
Jia started an engineering club at her high school, after realizing there were no spaces for girls to build community and learn more about engineering, technology and other STEM related activities. The club focuses on mechanical and environmental engineering for now.
"I absolutely love STEM! I'm part of the girls & engineering club at my high school, which I'm really proud to say that I started this year. It's a huge accomplishment of mine. There were no girls in STEM clubs, nothing for girls to get involved in. I wanted to feel a sense of community with other girls who loved engineering, STEM, math or science."
Jia and the other girls in her club have really valued the time outside of the classroom to learn together.
“Afterschool time is super important for clubs like girls and engineering, because when girls and other students are spending their time outside of school, it really shows that this is something they're truly passionate about.
I also think it's important for schools to promote the afterschool activities because outside of school, you're meeting with people who really want to do something and I think the shared interests makes teamwork just go to the next level.”
Jia was first introduced to STEM through a computer science elective. From there, she enrolled in a summer camp to learn more and her interest grew.
“After I took that class, I signed up for a coding summer camp at the governor's school. We spent the time learning C programming languages or other kinds of computer programming. That summer experience with the elective was kind of just like my epiphany that I was obsessed with something.”
Jia’s family, especially her grandfather, has been a huge source of support and inspiration along her STEM journey.
"My grandfather was a civil engineer - he was the first person to tell me about engineering. He's been so supportive of me this whole time, and I owe a lot of my success to him. Also, my parents and my brother have been incredible for helping find me opportunities and encouraging me. I'm really grateful that my family supports all of my adventures."
Jia shares more about how she has been able to combine all of her interests: STEM, acting and encouraging others to get excited about coding, technology and STEM.
“I took part in the GoldieBlox series and that was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I auditioned for it through acting, but it was a STEM series! It was a series that taught girls, young people, kids and even adults, all about the fundamental aspects of STEM with all these amazing role models - female engineers, scientists, chemists. All my passions, my future goals, aspirations were combined. ”
