Branching out with STEM

As a junior in the electrical and computer engineering program, Mary Scherer thought she’d be spending her summer taking classes and participating in research. That was the plan up until spring semester when Mary met Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Kevin Passino through Engineers for Community Service (ECOS). Passino recommended that she take a trip to Guatemala with other service groups to assess some of the organizations and locations there that could utilize the assistance of engineering students.

During the trip, students met the Mayan Families Organization, which assists some of the poorest communities within the Lake Atitlan region. The organization was in need of volunteers who could work for two to three months at a time. Scherer quickly applied for the opportunity and was pleasantly surprised when she was selected to return as a volunteer intern.

On June 24, Scherer arrived in Panajachel, Guatemala to begin her internship where she was charged with piloting a STEM education program for the Mayan Families Organization preschool students. With the help of Betty Lise Anderson, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and the Columbus area STEM Education Outreach Program, Scherer was able to bring supplies to conduct science experiments for the students. Part of her instruction includes introducing scientific concepts such as density, electricity, and magnetism to her students. As a part of her internship, she also teaches the preschool computer classes and middle school science classes.

After only three weeks spent living and working in Guatemala, Scherer already felt the impact of her work.

“Experiencing volcanic hikes, flooding rains and an earthquake after only three weeks in Guatemala, I have realized that the world is constantly changing," she said. "But while teaching here in Panajachel, I have also realized that as a woman in engineering, I too am changing the world."

If you’re interested in following Scherer’s journey, check out her blog: http://marybscherer.blogspot.com.

Written by Holly Longman, Women in Engineering Program