Oklahoma Mentor: Women in S.T.E.M. Reception 2015, OKC Part II

As a model, a reception with table-mentoring and one or more brief presentations is effective and adaptable. This STEM one at the Oklahoma FIRST Robotics Competition 2015 exceeded all expectations in quality, attendees, and information.

SCHEDULE

Registration
3:30-4:20

Opening Remarks
4:20

Xan Black
Director, Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance

Keynote Speaker
Melanie Y. Jonason
Chief Engineer
Propulsion Sustainment Division AFLCMC/LPSE
Tinker Air Force Base

Refreshments & Discussion with Table Mentors
4:50-5:20

Closing Remarks
Dana Drake
5:20-5:30

(Photos & Mingling)

As Xan Black said, "Our guest speaker is over 103 engineers, and she has oversight over 28,000 turbine engines – 50 types, in 152 locations."

Melanie Jonason

Highlights from Melanie's Presentation

She earned her Bachelor's Degree in chemical engineering at Louisiana State University. Later she had to learn metals.

Point Whatever engineering you study, prepare well. You likely will learn other fields over time.

Many disciplines are linked, e.g., biomedical to mechanical and electrical to robotics.

'Triggering something exciting inside you yet?

Point Set goals high and adjust to do many different tasks.

Melanie worked her way through college.

At LSU, three to four other women were in engineering. All of her professors were male, and one was not supportive.

Point Have toughness.

She worked at NASA, a great organization where open-mindedness dominated.

The government is designed to allow moving up in steps. To move up in grade, however, an employee must merit promotion. That means being interviewed and producing results.

Point Be well-rounded. Understand business. Prepare yourself in multiple ways.

blog.cavotech.com

To illustrate the future of propulsion engineering, Melanie showed and discussed an image of a jet engine. Then showing an image of a nautilus shell, she said the engineers of the future needed both left-and right-brained thinking. Engines will need to be more organic like the nautilus shell.

boatus.com

She also talked about the engine blades from small to large in size. Blades are made and removed by hand and then melted down. Developing robotics for inspection and repair of blades is on the horizon. Inventing is based upon finances, safety, practicality, consistency, and other concerns. In short, the creative future of engineering is limitless and exhilarating.

An attendee asked, "What was the biggest challenge in her career?"

Melanie said that she earned her bachelor's degree and then went to work. To be promoted in the Air Force, she, as a civilian engineer, needed a master's degree. Being married with three kids going in different directions, working and earning that MS was her biggest challenge, but she accomplished her goal.

Dana Drake speaking with vibrant, youthful showmanship

Dana presented us with an acronym.

C - Create

H - Help

I - Inform

P - Problem-solve

I - Innovate

N - Next Generation

'Another way...

C - Consider

H - Having

I - Impact on

P - Progress

I - In the

N - Next Generation

SuperScouts, Girl Scouts
of Eastern Oklahoma

Dana also shared a video of the Girl Scouts so we at least have to reference the achievement Dana underscored.

http://blog.girlscouts.org/2015/03/girl-scouts-represent-future-of-stem-at.html

https://www.whitehouse.gov/science-fair

Ret. 3-31-15

Back to the reception...

Part of the 32 mentors who champion young women in STEM

Mentors Registered

All but one came, and that engineer sent a substitute. Being engaged with young women was important! One male engineer attended with his sister and wife, both of whom are engineers. 'Hats off to him. Also, we want to salute all of these engineers and their companies for their commitments to the future.

Ashton Adair, Chemical Engineer, DCP Midstream

Terry Anderson, Industrial Engineering, DCMA

Diana Bittle, Software Engineer, American Fidelity

Xan Black, Petroleum Engineer, Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance

Shanequah Brison, Information Technology Engineer

Anne Copeland, Aerospace & Chemical Engineer, USAF

Leslie Crissup, Chemical Engineer, Enable Midstream Partners

Stephanie Dozier, Mechanical Engineer, Boeing

Dana Drake, Metallurgy Engineer, Tinker Air Force Base

Debbie Graham, Industrial Engineer, Astellas Pharma Technologies

Emily Heyne, Materials Engineer, USAF

Cassandra Hoyt, Systems Engineer, Boeing

Subashini Iyer, Mechanical Engineer, Boeing

Maggie Leuck, Chemical Engineer, DCP Midstream

Samantha Lewis, Industrial Engineer, Boeing

Donna Ord, Electronics Engineer, USAF

Jackie Pearson, Electrical Engineer, Department of Defense, US Air Force

Liesel Polwort, Civil Engineer, Olsson Associates

Jaishree Raman, Computer Science Engineer, American Farmers and Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company

Amber Sanders, Mechanical Engineer, Hitachi Computer Products

Theresa Seitz, Mechanical Engineer, OG&E

Susie Sjulin, Electrical Engineer, DCP Midstream

Marsha Slaughter, Environmental Engineer, City of Oklahoma City

Sandra Snelling, Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineer, USAF

Sarah Staggs, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer, Boeing

Alice Summers, Mechanical Engineer, NOV Hydra Rig

Siv Sundaram, Civil Engineer, Oklahoma Department of Transportation

Brittany Tholen, Electrical Engineer, Department of Defense

Nathan Tholen, Electrical Engineer, Department of Defense

Tammy Turnipseed, Electrical Engineer, OG&E

Martha Walker, Aerospace Engineer, Northrop

Barbara Wollmershauser, Mechanical Engineer, Tulsa Engineering Foundation