By Kenna, Minnesota
For years, I’ve heard about STEM and how important it is to learn about and use. I certainly appreciate and enjoy aspects of STEM, but it hadn’t sparked passion in me. I’ve always loved art and design, but I’ve been unable to pursue it in or out of school. So, naturally, I latched onto the word STEAM when I heard about Girls Design the World. STEM and art are each wonderful on their own, but when combined, I believe they create so much more beauty and meaning. They become even more applicable to my life and the lives of others.
I play violin, so I’ll use a music metaphor to describe my excitement about STEAM—being able to play violin, to use technique, is great. The music will reflect the mastery. However, when the notes are infused with passion and emotion from the musician, every violin sings more beautifully and inspires the violinist and listeners alike.
Aside from the realization that STEAM perfectly combines all of my “mini passions,” Girls Design the World focuses on environmental problems. I’m extremely passionate about preserving the beauty and life of this world, and truly believe that anyone can make a difference. Girls Design the World is a pathway to achieving that difference and, hopefully, creating awareness and inspiration for others in the process. At the same time as I’m using STEAM to tackle parts of this huge environmental problem, I get to work along dozens of amazing women and girls—many of whom are from a completely different culture—who are all so interesting, bright, and determined to make a difference. These three things mold into one with the GDW program, and I’m so excited to keep learning, meeting new people, and creating a lasting impact on my community and the world.