Several individuals at UT Dallas nominated State Farm. They cited the company's overall demonstrated commitment to diversity.

State Farm grant funding at UTD supports a diverse cross-section of university programs and groups. The programs support veterans, women in STEM and minority low/moderate income students. Scholarships, student emergency grants including student veteran emergency financial suppport, and food and financial security programs are some examples. The result is a positive impact on a diverse student population.

Vice President Operations Eileen Flynn accepted the award on behalf of State Farm. Eileen is an active member the University's Naveen Jindal School of Management Advisory Council.

Link to the full program

Eighteen-year-old Miski Abdirizak knows the value of hard work. In the '90s her parents migrated to the United States, seeking refuge from Somalia.

“Dad was a gas station clerk, restocked grocery shelves and tutored. Mom went to school to get her associates degree in nursing. They did this while raising me, my three older sisters and gaining citizenship to the U.S,” Miski said.

“My parents taught us to aim for the stars. What might be out of reach really isn’t if you strive to achieve. It’s about problem solving and perseverance,” the State Farm® technology intern said of her family’s journey.

So when State Farm presented Miski with an opportunity to solve problems through STEM, she took it.

She applied and was accepted to Girls Who Code in 2018. During the seven-week summer program, she did everything from learning JavaScript, HTML and Python to building data clouds, graphs and websites.

Girls Who Code is building the largest pipeline of future female engineers. It is on track to achieve gender parity in computer science by 2027.

State Farm became a Girls Who Code (GWC) sponsor in 2017. It offers the free summer immersion program to students at its Park Center campus in Atlanta.

“We’ve had nearly 100 Girls Who Code graduates since coming on board,” said State Farm GWC lead Katrina Torres. “Nearly half of our girls come from historically underrepresented groups. Many are Black, Latina or from low-income households and don’t have access to technology or the ability to take IT courses."

"Receiving messages from past graduates on their personal achievements or acceptance to a college computer science program is motivating. But even more exciting is when graduates' technical skillsets enable them to compete for a spot in our highly competitive technology intern program.”

When COVID-19 prevented in-person learning this year, State Farm pivoted GWC to a virtual summer immersion program. That allowed the program to expand its reach beyond Atlanta to girls across the country.

Committed to serving students amid challenging circumstances, it also honored job offers and internships. In May, State Farm welcomed nearly 450 college and high school interns. Only 4 percent of companies moved forward with internship programs.

“We knew it was important to continue the support of GWC in the wake of the pandemic. We understood the importance of providing these opportunities to all. Knowing tech jobs are the fastest growing occupations in the U.S., it’s critical to provide a foundation of computing skills for these young women,” Katrina said. “To alleviate technical glitches in a virtual environment, we purchased laptops and mobile Wi-Fi hotspots for our 2020 class.”

While teaching girls to code is a large component of GWC, Miski says it’s more than that.

“I learned courage and empowerment. Each week we met a woman in tech and had designated mentors. Seeing women dominating in this field - women who looked like us and we could relate to - made me realize I can do this too. Being a minority in the field shouldn’t be a scary thing. It’s about having confidence to go for it.”

Watch out world!

Following her GWC graduation in 2018, Miski’s received three State Farm technology internships. Her responsibilities ranged from product suites, to data analysis, to scrum.

“I love working at State Farm,” she said. “It’s cutting-edge, it’s creating solutions and it’s about helping people. I’ve learned so much.”

This fall, she’ll begin her freshman year at Georgia State University. In 2017, State Farm pledged $20 million to support student education and bring GSU’s pioneering data analytics work to life.

To explore tech opportunities at State Farm, visit statefarm.com/careers.

In the News

FOX54 Atlanta: Georgia State intern uses summer coding program to gain valuable experience with State Farm (12/13/20) 

In honor of International Women’s Day, here’s how they’re doing it.

Sudha Nandam  _______________________________________________ State Farm® Software Developer (Tenure: 2 years)

“I grew up in South India (Ponnur).There were 32 of us living under one roof! My parents, their siblings, grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins. I always liked math and science – and wanted to pursue higher education. This took many by surprise. In those days women often stayed home. My father told me, 'If this is what you want to do, do it with all your heart.' I was the first woman in my family to go to college. I attended a technical university (JNTU, Kakinada) and studied engineering. During this journey I met my husband, who’s also in information technology. We came to the United States in 2008. As a software developer at State Farm, my focus is Java. I work on web services for agency marketing and customer care data. I love working here. No matter who you are, there are opportunities to develop your skills. It’s exciting to be part of a tech company dedicated to forward thinking and new ways of working."

The impact:

"My pursuit of technology inspired the younger women in my family to go to college. ‘We want to study like you!’ they said. Today, they work in IT. My 18-year-old son also plans to study IT in college. No matter who you are, or where you come from – if you’re committed to learning, you can accomplish anything.”

“I’ve been in IT my entire career and worked for a variety of companies. Nothing compares to State Farm and its zest for learning. As a scrum master, it’s about data, communication and progress. In IT you can impact hundreds, if not thousands, of people with one key stroke. That’s incredible! To top it off, when I discover something the computer doesn’t know, I get a huge rush."

The impact:

"There’s always room for more women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Here in Texas, I’m involved in the Apollo Coding Club. I started working with the program in 2018 to give middle school girls the chance to code. Each week State Farm volunteers teach the students JavaScript and web development. At the end of the semester we host a showcase at CityLine, where the girls present their work to State Farm leadership, teachers, families and friends. I love seeing these young ladies blossom. They come to us with a desire to learn – but many are also quiet, reserved. As the weeks go by and their knowledge increases, so does their confidence. By the time the showcase arrives, they’re comfortable on the computer and speaking in front of a room. Those who’ve been through the program have chosen to pursue this education in high school and beyond. If you have a desire to learn, and you follow through on that desire – you will excel. The Apollo Coding Club is proof of that. I’m honored to give back in this way.”

“I grew up in Jamaica. One of five children. My parents knew an education was the way to a better future. My mom relocated to the United States, where she knew we would have multiple opportunities. She earned her LPN in nursing and worked two jobs to ensure we had an education. I went to Fordham University in New York and earned a degree in computer science. I had a knack for math and science, started as pre-med then quickly switched to computer science. My older brother had just earned his master’s degree in computer science, so it was an easy decision. State Farm is actually my third job after college. The minute I came to State Farm, I knew this was a great place to work. When we say, ‘Like a Good Neighbor,’ it’s not a tagline. It’s the truth. Here it’s family.”

The impact:

"My philosophy has always been, when you learn, teach. When you get, give. People saw potential in me. They said, ‘You CAN do this.’ I stayed on the path. As a leader in tech, my focus is on the workforce – identifying talent, building skillsets, extending our brand to colleges and universities across the country and sponsoring STEM programs like Girls Who Code in Atlanta. When I look at my grandma, mother, myself and my two strong, intelligent daughters, I’m thrilled by the progress we’ve made and what’s to come. Ten years ago, when I attended tech conferences there was no line for the ladies restroom. Today, there’s a line! As women we’re blazing a trail. It’s about goals, not excuses. Remember, you are not a victim. You are in control. If my story helps inspire more women to make their dreams a reality, it’s my responsibility to share it."

Ines Halloran  _________________________________________________ State Farm® Technology Executive (Tenure: 29 years)

"The harder the issue, the better. Give me the tough stuff. I like challenge! I’ve had a passion for math and science since I was little. I grew up in Germany, near Munich and met my husband when he was stationed here. We moved to the United States in the '80s, and I began an internship with State Farm in 1990. The moment I walked in the door, I realized this place is special. In Europe, business is formal, structured and traditional. The State Farm culture is creative, friendly and open to ideas. Originally, I thought this would be a short-term way to get experience. I had no intention of being an executive. But people pulled me in, gave me opportunities – and I seized them. As technology evolves, we need more people in the industry, including women. Just as my peers said to me, 'You CAN do this, we BELIEVE in you,' – today, I’m mentoring the next generation – helping them see themselves as a true competitor in this field. By sharing our stories, we inspire more women to come into the pipeline.”

The impact:

In April, Ines will be honored as one of this year’s Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Tech. The award, presented by the National Diversity Council, recognizes the achievements of women with a proven track record for breaking barriers, driving change and inspiring others to succeed.

“I’m thrilled to receive this honor and represent State Farm,” said Ines. “It’s awesome to show the rest of the world State Farm is part of the technology conversation. To all the women out there: Be bold. Be at the table. Challenge your own bias and celebrate success. You can do this.”

As emerging technologies rapidly transform the workplace, experts predict significant displacement and demand for new skills to fill future jobs. The ability to adapt, learn, and transition to new and emerging employment opportunities will be essential for workers worldwide. Pathways for the Future is designed to address these changes, focused specifically on high school students, community college and university students, and career professionals who wish to compete for new and evolving jobs in the changing marketplace.

“Technological change holds enormous promise and the potential for job creation. It also challenges employees, employers and students and presents a change we all must adapt to,” said State Farm Chairman and CEO Michael Tipsord. “Today represents a new milestone in our relationship with ASU and builds on our corporate commitment to prepare not only for what’s coming, but for what is already happening. We look forward to growing this commitment with ASU and working together to build the workforce of the future through universal learning.”

With the online nature of the program, State Farm’s gift will enable ASU to assist many more learners regardless of their location and will provide students access to the transfer and transition tools which support curriculum pathway mapping and sequencing. This component will also help people discover career interests and provides a way for ASU to share pertinent information with mid-career adults and to students navigating higher education options.

There are four targeted groups for the Pathway Program, including:

• High School Students
• Maricopa County Community College Students
• Arizona State University Students
• Employees, already in the workforce, wanting to learn new skills, including State Farm employees

“State Farm has been a good neighbor to ASU for the past several years – our aligned values and our mutual commitment and investment of human and financial capital makes for an ideal partnership in Pathways for the Future,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “We believe strongly in the evolving model of universal learning, making higher education available to those from all socioeconomic backgrounds at any point in their lives. This is what the workforce of the future needs and what we hope to accomplish with State Farm. Together, our goal is to help people work through what will be a significant transformation in the economy.”

The program has three specific Academic Tracks, including STEM/Engineering, Business/Leadership and Humanities/Social Sciences. For more information on the tracks and complete program details, please visit: https://pff.asu.edu/. The Pathways for the Future portal can be accessed here.

For DeWayne Griffin, that person was his next-door neighbor. In fifth grade, he moved next to the Brindzas. These neighbors, especially Mrs. Brindza who was an English teacher, had a huge impact on his life.

The teacher inspired a lifetime love of reading and learning and actually gave him his first car. It seems DeWayne was destined to be inspired by Mrs. Brindza. If he had never moved, she would have been his English teacher at his old school.

"Mrs. Brindza was a huge role model for me. Though, no doubt, my mom was my number one role model," DeWayne shared.

For Becky Leach, the mentor she was destined to meet was DeWayne.

Becky first met DeWayne at a high school long jump pit. Even though he coached a different school, DeWayne went out of his way to help Becky get a better distance.

Their paths continued to cross. Becky studied Information Systems and became an intern at State Farm where DeWayne is a tech exec. He became her formal mentor.

“He always pushed me to be authentic and empathetic and bring my best self to whatever I did,” Becky said.

She took a full-time job with State Farm. Eventually, as destiny would have it, both she and DeWayne ended up at the company’s Atlanta Hub.

“Throughout my State Farm career, I had great roles, teams and role models,” Becky shared. “But, I came to realize in this city with so much opportunity, I only knew State Farm.”

When she made the decision to accept a tech role at another company, she wanted to tell her long-time mentor, in person.

“He was so supportive and encouraging, like always. He did say he hopes my path brings me back to State Farm one day,” Becky said. “I was nervous going into the meeting, but DeWayne helped me leave confident.”

DeWayne understands the importance of mentorship, encouragement and support. He is where he is today because of others, like Mrs. Brindza, who guided him. He believes it’s something leaders should do “no matter what.”

This servant leader philosophy is one of the many reasons Women in Technology (WIT) chose DeWayne – a man - to receive the first ever Build Her Up Award.

The Atlanta organization empowers women and girls to take charge of their science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) careers from the schoolroom to the boardroom. WIT hosts an annual awards gala celebrating female visionaries in the tech space.

“I’ve had a lot of leaders in my life. When I heard about this award, he was literally the first person who came to mind,” said Becky, a WIT member. “I can think of 100 reasons why he deserves it. Even though I’m no longer at State Farm, DeWayne continues to help me, and so many others, with our careers.”

DeWayne hopes the people he mentors will continue to pay it forward for the next generation. As destiny would have it, that generation includes his 14-year-old daughter. She’s interested in a STEAM career.

“I worked for someone who was focused on ensuring women were included. I would call women who were capable and qualified for certain positions and nine times out of 10 they would turn us down. They said they didn’t think they were qualified,” the president and CEO of the conference says.

“It was difficult to get women to apply. That bothered me. I would spend time convincing women – women who were running companies and doing very well in the corporate environment – that they were qualified.”

Finally, in 2015, Arlene committed to creating a conference for women to learn from other successful women how to succeed in leadership, entrepreneurship and more. Arlene strives to find speakers and panelists in Florida who have cleared hurdles and are open and honest about how they achieved their success.

“It’s finding women like that who truly connect and do in a way women will react to,” Arlene says.

The conference also hosts the College Women on the Rise program. This program invites college women to participate in a day of workshops such as resume writing, interviewing skills and financial literacy, along with panel discussions with young, professional women.

State Farm^® sponsors the college women to attend, this year sending 55 women. Before the conference, the students are asked to write a 500-word essay describing an accomplishment, event or realization that sparked a period of personal growth. State Farm awarded the top five essay writers a $1,000 scholarship.

Megan Morano attended the College Women on the Rise program and the conference, and took the advice she heard to heart.

“One of the speakers, Carla Harris said, ‘Fear is false evidence of things appearing real.’ For me, as a woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), it opened my eyes that we don’t have to be afraid of what we want. It’s empowering to know I can walk into a room without fear and have the confidence to change what people are thinking,” says the Florida Polytechnic University student. Megan is a sophomore majoring in business analytics: logistics and supply chain.

Megan first became interested in STEM because of her older brother.

“He basically raised me and we bonded over stuff he was doing in college. I loved that experience and wanted to pursue it,” she says. “Being in the STEM field is interesting. Sometimes I’m the only girl in class, but I love a challenge and to be able to say I have ideas that are just as good as yours.”

Shreyam Ranjan, freshman biological sciences major at Hillsborough Community College, was motivated and inspired by the conference.

“There were so many successful women who could stand up for themselves and take charge of their own lives,” Shreyam says. “That made me want to attend the conference. Coming from a traditional Indian household, that’s opposite of the environment I grew up in.”

Shreyam wrote her essay about her traditional Indian upbringing and the culture shock after moving to the United States. Both Shreyam and Megan won a State Farm scholarship for their essays.

“I saw women taking a stand against the many injustices that women faced. I began to see how women are allowed to voice their opinions and provide for themselves financially, something I had never seen before,” Shreyam said in her essay.

Shreyam adds, “Being in the STEM field pushes me forward and makes me not feel afraid. Even if it is a male-dominated field, women don’t have to feel less. There’s so much more you can do and be.”

Arlene says the college portion of the program teaches important skills to women dealing with issues every day. “We show the importance of networking and how women can define themselves to someone else,” she says. ”The sessions are educational and provide them with the tools they need to leave the conference and go out and find a job or open an investment account or put together their resume.

“It is powerful for these young women to see there are women supporting them and focusing on issues we hope we can rectify so they aren’t encountering them when they are in the workforce. It’s helping them begin to start thinking about the next step and how to present themselves in a work environment.”

The students attend the International Student Center to learn to read, write and speak English before attending their regular schools. While there, students work to advance in all subjects, and the Center wanted a fun way to teach them about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

A teacher submitted a project to request funding through the website Donors Choose, where anyone can choose a teacher’s project to donate to or fully fund. The project asked for donations to buy Sphero SPRK robots. The robot takes commands from an app loaded on smartphones or tablets. Programs can be created by drawing or using code, depending on the student’s ability.

State Farm^® funded the purchase of the robots through Donors Choose. Five State Farm employees volunteered to teach the students how to use the Sphero by programming the robot to follow a specific pattern on the floor.

Because of the lack of common language, the volunteers communicated in different ways with the students. “We did a lot of pointing and smiling and looking at the sheet,” says Terrell Johnson, State Farm employee.

Thomas Moore, State Farm employee, planned the volunteering event for his team. “Once the students were holding the tablet, you could see they all understood how it worked – the international language of technology,” he says. “We are technologists. We work in the digital space designing apps and websites, so it provided a way to bond with them.”

“It allowed the kids to do the programming, regardless of their level of ability,” Jennifer Kendrick, State Farm employee, says. “We had a grid to follow. We had to be mindful of where you started, how the robot was positioned and that everything was synced to the app.”

As the robots zoomed down the hallways, the students’ faces would light up.

“I hope they took away the idea there are things in the world that are interesting and they can be passionate about it. Their circumstances are all so different. I was happy there was an environment to help them acclimate,” says Steve Eighmey, State Farm employee.

The volunteers came away with a positive experience as well.

“The gratitude they expressed was amazing,” says Terrell. “It made me realize I need to be more grateful. It humanized everything you see on TV. They’re just kids like my kids. They want to have fun, be with their friends, get out of school.”

Jennifer would volunteer at the school again. “To see them light up when they achieved something was incredible,” she says. “A lot of the kids who come have a minimal amount of education. The fact they came in and got that encouragement and success with something that requires current technology and math skills is a big win.”

“The school was trying a different way to get the students into STEM,” adds Jovonni Pharr, State Farm employee. “It’s always a unique experience to watch children learn. It was interesting to see the diversity, as well. There were students from Tanzania, Iraq, Singapore and many other countries.”

State Farm identifies schools through Donors Choose and matches funding criteria for projects in Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix. In 2017, State Farm matched funding for more than 460 projects, helping nearly 43,000 students.

Fleurianne Debe just started her senior year of high school, but unlike most students her age - she already graduated.

Instead, on July 20, 2017, the 17-year-old celebrated her graduation, and an educational milestone, with the Girls Who Code and State Farm Insurance.

“It's awesome,” said Fleurianne. “I learned about science, technology engineering and math. My mom told me about this special program and I enrolled because I’m really into gaming. It was right up my alley!”

Girls Who Code (GWC), is a national nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology. Its summer immersion program helps young women like Fleurianne develop their STEM skills.

“Technology is changing everything about the way we live and work,” said Girls Who Code Founder and CEO, Reshma Saujani. “Computing jobs are some of the fastest-growing and highest paying in our country, yet girls continue to get left behind. Access to a computer science education can bring women into a thriving innovation economy.”

The Journey Begins

Fleurianne, along with 19 students, took part in the summer GWC program in Atlanta, Georgia. Hosted by State Farm, the seven-week course helps teens develop their technological skills, learn about STEM careers and meet with women working in the tech industry.

“The chance to be mentored by these professionals meant a lot to me. This entire experience helped my self-confidence grow,” smiled Fleurianne. “I discovered so much about systems, IT and coding.”

Throughout the summer, students also learned how to construct webpages, build apps, develop a social media network and even work with robots.

“I loved the hands-on tech exposure,” smiled Fleurianne. “Now, I can code. And the best part? Now I can show other girls how to do it too.”

Program Instructors like Kat Graff say this year’s GWC participants demonstrated teamwork and a commitment to excellence.

“When they arrived on the State Farm campus, many of them didn’t have any coding experience. But you’d never know that now. I’m confident great things lie ahead for these young women.”

For companies like State Farm, it’s a chance to deliver on the company’s commitment to empowering communities. “We make significant contributions to STEM education and women in technology efforts at the company level,” said State Farm IT Senior Vice President Sandy Arnold. “This program had an even bigger impact because our State Farm employees personally invested in these students. Seeing the positive results first-hand was so inspiring.”

The Adventure Continues

“I learned anything is possible if I put my mind to it,” said Fleurianne. “Because of GWC, I want to pursue a computer science degree in college.”

Before then, she needs to complete her senior year. But Fleurianne plans to take Girls Who Code with her.

“I want to create a Girls Who Code club at my high school,” she explained. “Being a young woman who is interested in technology makes me feel like I’m breaking boundaries, and that’s really cool. Now, I want to help others like me do the same thing.”

As for her long term goal? Being part of the good neighbor community could be in sight.

“When the time comes, I’d love to be a State Farm intern,” said Fleurianne. “I want to continue building my knowledge and creativity. Thanks to GWC, my journey has just begun!”

State Farm is a financial supporter of Girls Who Code and its commitment to STEM education. To learn more about its programs and ways to get involved, click here. Interested in learning about STEM partnerships in Atlanta, Georgia? Contact State Farm IT Analyst, Katrina Torres (katrina.r.torres.phbi@statefarm.com).

GWC Graduation Recap

First, let’s rewind:

Paterson, New Jersey, located 15 miles from Manhattan has a deep industrial history. In the late 1700’s it received funding from an investment group created by Alexander Hamilton, which helped launch its manufacturing base. Shortly after, Paterson became an economic powerhouse – producing products like railroad locomotives, textile machinery, cotton and silk. By the late 1800’s, it was dubbed the “Silk City” due to its high production of the elegant fabric.

Changing times:

A century later, life in Paterson took a drastic turn. Economic changes and declines in manufacturing led to layoffs and limited opportunities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ranked Paterson as the most economically distressed city in America.

While jobs, the economy and opportunities have changed…today, a part of Paterson remains the same. In fact, some say it’s become more beautiful over time…

The Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

“There’s natural beauty right here in Paterson, said high school senior Jeferson Mendoza. “It gives us something to be proud of.” Mendoza is one of 19 students from the John F. Kennedy STEM Academy working to promote and preserve this national park. With the help of a $96,233.63 grant from State Farm, Jeferson and his peers have been working with the Hamilton Partnership for Paterson to create a free smartphone app encouraging people to visit the area. Known as the Mill Mile audio tour app, it guides participants through a 13-stop walking tour of the grounds. As users explore historical sites, the app shares fun facts, park trivia and includes a quiz to test their Paterson history knowledge. There’s even a virtual tour option for those who can’t visit the park in person.

“This project was all about the students,” said Hamilton Partnership for Paterson Program Director, Robin Gold. “They worked hard to make the tour more appealing to young people.” “We put in countless hours of planning meetings, researching, budgeting, writing content, and more,” added Jeferson. “Some of the work was tedious, but I learned so much. I’m confident this project will have a positive impact on Paterson, which is exciting.”

"Prior to the Mill Mile audio tour app, I had only been to the falls a handful of times. Now I visit more often and I encourage everyone to do the same,” said Jeferson. “Believe it or not, the photos don’t do it justice!”

Word of the Great Falls is spreading. In 2016, the national historical park set a record of more than 177,000 visitors.

“This area is special and the park is a soothing environment,” said Jeferson. It serves as a beacon of hope.”

“I used to take my toys apart. While I did put the pieces back together…it still freaked my parents out,” she said.

Behind this innocent destruction was destiny. With each doll, truck, and train    Dominque disassembled, she built something else…her engineering skills.

“I’m fascinated by this profession,” she said. “At a young age, I decided I wanted to learn about engineering and nothing was going to stop me.”

In high school, Dominique joined the Arizona Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program. The organization, supported by State Farm, gets students involved in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities, while teaching them about careers in these fields.

“STEM is all around us,” said State Farm Senior IT Architect Ines Halloran. “Our mission is to engage with universities and high schools to build a pipeline of future IT talent.”

So, how does peanut butter and jelly fit in?

During a CSO institute, State Farm volunteers used a childhood favorite – the PB&J, to demonstrate the importance of algorithms.

“It’s a step by step process,” said Dominique. “This was an awesome way to explain programming basics. It made us think about a simple process in a thorough, innovative way.”

Students plotted the steps needed to build the perfect PB&J, then shared their algorithms with volunteers – who played the role of a computer. If the algorithm made sense, then the computer (a.k.a., the volunteers), would be able to create this end result:

Students like Clay Hauser and Calvin Rowell say the peanut butter and jelly challenge proves STEM is rooted in everyday life, no matter who you are or where you work.

“It’s not just for scientists with doctorate degrees or highly trained medical professionals,” said Calvin. “Sometimes the most influential workers are those with technical degrees, teaching degrees, musicians, actors. If you want to make something even better, STEM can help.”

From Peanut Butter to Brain Power

The CSO program spans beyond peanut butter and jelly – from classroom to community success. Its unique learning opportunities  inspired CSO students to start after-school STEM clubs, take part in  science festivals, host innovative workshops, and network with State Farm IT employees.

This work has been recognized throughout the country, including the nation’s capital.

By exposing students to new ways of thinking, the CSO program hopes   to develop a diverse talent pool of future STEM leaders.

“I have worked with hundreds, maybe thousands of IT professionals over my 26 year career, and the differentiator is passion and determination to succeed.” said Halloran.

And as for Dominique? The CSO program has inspired her to pursue her passion of becoming a mechanical engineer.

“Right now, it’s a male dominated field, but this program proves gender doesn’t matter when it comes to success,” she said. “If your heart wants to experiment with science, robots or video games – do it. The CSO program taught me anything is possible when you put your mind to it.”

Just like learning to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich...it’s a   simple lesson, with a satisfying result.

The students were competing in the 25th annual, regional Invention Convention. There was excited chatter from the creative and bright students. Their goal was to invent items to “make life easier” or a new game.

They proudly described their 341 inventions for the judges. Each was hoping to win a ribbon or trophy. Or best of all, advance to the National Invention Convention in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Tracey Huddleston is the woman behind this annual competition. She is an elementary education professor at MTSU. The program is her public service project for the university. It all began back in 1993 as a tribute to her mother, Tru Radcliff. Mrs. Radcliff was a long-time 5th grade teacher.

Long before STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) became popular, both women understood the importance of creativity and problem-solving skills.

In the first year, only 56 students and 42 inventions competed. Since then, thousands of students have benefited from the experience during the past 25 years, 20 of which have been supported by State Farm™.

"Participating in the Invention Convention provides a meaningful opportunity for students. They must apply many academic and practical skills," says Dr. Huddleston. "In addition to creating and designing, they must communicate and present clearly to the judges in order to win an award."

The anticipation of hearing the judges' final decisions builds as the morning wears on. Each year, guest speakers help ease the wait for the students, their teachers and parents.

Three singers and songwriters spoke this year (the competition took place in February 2017). In past years, astronauts, athletes, historians, inventors, and scientists have spoken to the crowds.

“The students who participate in the annual Invention Convention are truly an inspiration," Huddleston says. "Their excitement and passion for thinking and learning is a joy to watch – they are our future!”

But the Vestal and Binghamton communities in the Southern Tier of New York state are more than up for the challenge.

The Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, one of the top equipped public observatories in the Northeast, opened its doors in 1974. Today, there are plans to expand the center, creating a science park with an outdoor learning facility, a playground and a (STEM) educational experience.

Currently, Kopernik serves 10,000 people annually. The goal is to double the visitors through expanded programming and the new science park.

Sounds like a great plan. But the community needed more funding. Fortunately, the Junior League of Binghamton heard about the State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant program through a local State Farm agent, Dean Hurley.

Not only did they win one of the 40 grants, but the crowdsourcing program helped kick off the half-million dollar science park project campaign. It reenergized the community about the need and importance of STEM programs. “We will have playground equipment unlike any other playground in the area. It will be a destination for people of the Southern Tier and tourists,” said Rachel Consolazio, a member of the Junior League of Binghamton.

“There’s opportunities to have a merry-go-round that has a generator built into it, so as the kids are running around, they’re creating electricity and running devices. Or, they might learn about friction through a slide,” said Drew Deskur, Director of the Kopernik Observatory and Science Center.

Soon the new, expanded (and free!) park will be open. Those goals aren’t so lofty anymore.

Charles Ortiz knew he wanted to go to Rusk Elementary School. Not just because his older sister went there or because it’s an award-winning STEM magnet school. He wanted to go because of the Geo-dome.

Planting a seed…

When Brenda Boyer joined the staff at Rusk near downtown Houston, the school had a few fruit trees and gardens for outdoor learning activities. During her first year teaching, she came up with the idea of building a geodesic dome.

“With a dome, we could grow and learn all year-round and make a club out of it, pre-K to eighth grade,” Boyer explained.

The principal was on board and charged Brenda with the fundraising. This was no small task. Brenda had almost given up on the Geo-dome. Then, in the spring of 2012, she came across a crowdsourcing philanthropy program called Cause An Effect (now State Farm Neighborhood Assist®).

“I applied online and completely forgot about it. Several weeks later I got an email from State Farm and ignored it,” Brenda shared. “I got another email and thankfully I opened this one and took action. We made it to the next phase and had a chance to win the $25,000.”

Watching it sprout…

The school and its community pulled together.

“The Facebook voting was very, very exciting,” shared Charles’ older sister Dominique Ortiz, a seventh grader at Rusk at the time.

“We didn’t really think we would get it. Mrs. Boyer is the most devoted and tenacious teacher I’ve ever had. It was cool to see it finally happen,” Dominique, now a sophomore, said.

Nourishing the bud…

The geo-dome wasn’t built right away, so the teachers continued to teach in their hands-on style.

Kindergarten through eighth graders learn the basics of growing food. They plant the seeds inside the dome and then replant them in the gardens later. “The kids think it’s really fascinating to watch something pop up out of the dirt in their little Styrofoam cup!” Brenda shared.

The students did a lot of work in science class and in summer camps.

“Whenever you get to touch something it will stick in your mind better than a textbook. It really helped me learn better,” Dominique remembered.

It also gave her a new appreciation for what it takes to grow food.

“We put so much effort into growing the plants. It makes you not want to waste anything. Not everyone in the world has this abundance” Dominique shared.

Appreciating the flower…

After years of difficulties from permits to new building construction, the Geo-dome was finally built.

The dome was ready for use in October 2015. Charles had been looking forward to it for three years.

“The dome will let more students experience growing plants and food. It will help us remember better, having this experience. And you are going to be proud of what you got out of it, because of all the effort you put into it,” shared Charles.

Now, every student at Rusk gets to work in the dome and experience this unique outdoor learning environment. The school will also be able to produce more food and share their hard work.

“The Star of Hope Mission homeless shelter is just blocks away from our school. We want the dome to not just be outdoor learning but also a service-learning project,” Brenda said. “We will engage the Mission and give food to help those who need it the most.”

“Giving back to their community will teach the students a different kind of lesson. Giving is caring. Hopefully this is a lesson that will last a lifetime. ”

The State Farm Neighborhood Assist program connects individuals and communities with local non-profits to build safer, stronger, better educated communities.

SFNA invites people to submit a community cause about which they’re passionate and can rally behind for a chance to win one of 40 $25,000 grants, exclusively through Facebook.

A central Ohio museum is taking STEM to a whole new level. The Works, a history, art and technology museum is hosting STEMfest!, a competition focused on hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) experience.

With the help of the staff at The Works, Dr. Joe Reczek, an Associate Pro Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Denison University organized the annual, industry issue contest, featuring problem-solving challenges. Students 7-12 grade pick a challenge and present their findings to a panel of judges. Winners receive an award and potential internships.

Margo, Rebekah and Dani all had a paid internship, supported by a grant from The Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation. Read more about their internship and STEMfest experiences.

MARGO

Ten years ago, Margo MacDonald’s brother was diagnosed with Lymphoma. It was at that point in her life she knew she wanted to study medicine.

Margo participated in the bio-diesel fuel challenge at STEMfest! her senior year of high school. Her team used a variety of organic fuel sources, like olive oil, soybean oil, and canola oil, to see which one created the most energy. Her team came in second place.

“STEMfest! is different than in-class experiences. It gives you the chance to observe other STEM related fields,” said Margo.

Margo’s internship involved understanding liquid crystal properties of lab-manufactured, organic materials. It wasn’t just a resume-booster, but an experience that fueled her passion for a research career.

Margo is now a University of Pennsylvania Sophomore in biochemistry and biophysics. She is a research assistant at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania analyzing manufacturing data from a variety of cancer immunotherapy clinical trials.

Margo will graduate with a Master’s Degree and double major and hopes to pursue a career in oncology research.

REBEKAH

For the last five years, Rebekah Abel participated in the Brain Bee, a Neuro-Science competition at Denison University.

Rebekah was home schooled, and her parents looked for unique ways to introduce STEM curriculum. In high school, she participated in many STEM competitions including RoboFest, the Brain Bee and STEMfest!

Rebekah and her younger brother participated in the polymer re-purposing challenge at STEMfest! Together they converted plastic water bottles into a pontoon boat. Using the bottles for the hull, straws and a plastic bag for the sail, and a blow dryer as their wind source, they set sail and took home first place!

Rebekah also earned a summer internship designing ways to test organic molecules as semi-conductors.

Rebekah studies International Security Intelligence, Psychology and Russian at The Ohio State University and hopes it lands her a job in Customs or Homeland Security.

DANI

After graduation, Dani Huffman didn’t spend her summer poolside. She was in a lab shadowing a chemist who creates new molecules, isolating them and making them pure.

While participating in the Global Scholars Program in high school, Dani traveled to China and Costa Rica. Both trips were opportunities to learn more about the economy of a foreign country and to observe their environment. It was on the Costa Rica trip Dani heard primatologist Jane Goodall and environmental activist Severn Cullis-Suzuki speak. What she heard reinforced her interest in environmental science, and helped her to declare this field as her college major.

As a high school senior Dani also participated in STEMfest! Her team tested available dyes to determine which one captures sunlight the best in a homemade solar cell.

This summer, Dani also spent five weeks at Denison University finding ways to purify and isolate products to a new reaction. Working side-by-side with a female chemist as a mentor will help Dani make an informed decision about her future.

Dani will study Environmental Science and play field hockey at Kenyon College in the Fall.

State Farm is a proud supporter of STEM education in Newark, Ohio by funding STEMfest!, and Kids Tech University through The Works - Center for History, Art and Technology.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT STEM?