Spotlight on STEM at YMCA Houston's 21st CCLC Lights On celebration

This Lights On Afterschool, the Afterschool Alliance partnered with Energy Superheroes and Trailblazers from the award-winning multicultural nonfiction children’s book series, Everyday Superheroes to bring STEM learning to four different local Lights On celebrations. One of those celebrations was hosted at the YMCA of Greater Houston’s ACE 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool program at Ridgemont Elementary School. The event’s featured Energy Superhero was Monica McDaniel, Senior Manager of Meteorology at Pattern Energy, a local Houston renewable energy company.

“I never thought to be a role model but representation is what the world needs today, and especially representation in STEM to help young girls believe in themselves and pursue careers to become scientists, engineers, or even meteorologists,” said McDaniel. “If you can see it, you will start to believe it, and that's the truth. I’m thrilled I can be a part of this amazing opportunity to help spark excitement of STEM careers in the minds of the future generation.”

Monica McDaniel welcomed students to the booth and generated excitement about STEM careers like hers. While older youth inquired about particular STEM college majors and career paths available, younger students were more interested in the construction of wind turbines and how these turbines are used to power entire communities.

To begin to understand the sheer size and power of these systems, youth were enlisted to guess the number of basketball hoops it would take to reach the top of a wind turbine. Youth used their math and analytical skills to guess the lucky number 70.

Students also had the chance to get creative during the event. From coloring windfarms to drawing a self-portrait of themselves as an Energy Superhero, youth were able to imagine themselves in the STEM field of their choosing. “Today, the kids just know that they’re having a blast with a really neat exercise and some cool engineers and scientists. But the lasting impact for them will be that their horizons are broader, their sense of what’s possible expanded, their futures better in focus,” exclaimed Janie Bostic-Gibson, Director of ACE 21st Century Programs at Ridgemont Elementary. Students donned superhero personas for the rest of the event. 

Monica wrapped up the evening with a read aloud from the Energy Superheroes: Women in Energy Careers book. To see how other communities celebrated Lights On Afterschool, check out the blog.