Meet Allison Sommers: Bringing ‘the best of Miami’ through STEM outreach
CEC's new K-12 assistant director wants to show young learners the pathways to STEM careers – a road that runs through ºÚÁÏÉçÇø
•
Published
•
Allison Sommers is assistant director of K-12 outreach at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø's College of Engineering and Computing.
Meet Allison Sommers: Bringing ‘the best of Miami’ through STEM outreach
•
Published
•
When do ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs start thinking about college? Allison Sommers, the College of Engineering and Computing's new assistant director of K-12 outreach, wants to start that conversation early.
“I think it's never too early to start thinking and exposing ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to all of the different careers that are available to them,” Sommers said.
Before coming to ºÚÁÏÉçÇø in December, Sommers served as the education project coordinator for iSPACE, an organization that provides educational programming in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for kids in the Greater Cincinnati area. She also taught science courses through a homeschooling co-op program and coached FIRST LEGO League Robotics teams, adding to her decade of STEM education experience.
“While I was at iSPACE, we taught classes from robotics and engineering to programming, science, and math. We really taught all varieties of different STEM classes,” Sommers said.
This programming experience carries over to how she leads K-12 outreach at Miami. She said she felt there was a piece missing when bridging the gap between a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s introduction to STEM and reaching STEM careers.
“At Miami, I have the opportunity to now put in that missing puzzle piece, to not only encourage ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs and inspire them in STEM while introducing them to STEM careers, but to also show them a pathway they can take to be able to reach those careers,” Sommers said.
For her role at Miami, she is ready to bring young learners to campus. Field trips have long been a part of her outreach philosophy, and she said she wants ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to be able to try on different hats while they’re in Oxford.
“I think it is important to bring ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to campus, where they can see themselves as a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø here, giving them the confidence that they could pursue a career in engineering and computer science,” Sommers said.
Sommers knows that logistics can get in the way of outreach, so she also plans to bring STEM education directly to ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs in the community, too. She wants to “take the best of Miami” with her wherever she goes, providing hands-on STEM activities, summer camps, and events to local K-12 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs.
Wielding a lifelong love of science, Sommers wants to provide STEM education and career pathways to young ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs, something that wasn’t emphasized when she was a child.
“I didn’t really understand what engineers did until I got to college,” Sommers said. “I want young ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to have that knowledge earlier, so they can explore their interests and see possibilities in STEM from a young age.”
Another area Sommers is excited to see growth in: girls and young women choosing STEM careers and education. She believes everyone has the capabilities to be successful in STEM careers but knows there are still barriers to entry for some young learners.
“The STEM field is growing in jobs, and there are not enough educated people who are willing to study and take on careers in those STEM fields,” Sommers said. “There is definitely a need in our community for people who have that passion for STEM.”
Outreach isn’t a solo venture for Sommers, and she said she is looking forward to working with Miami faculty and ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to build bridges in the Oxford community. She plans to work with STEM-based ºÚÁÏÉçÇø organizations to build engaging programming for local children and work with Miamians to host educational opportunities.
“Miami has so much to offer in terms of STEM, especially with the College of Engineering and Computing,” Sommers said. “I am excited to be able to bring that to ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs in our community and beyond.”
“I think it's never too early to start thinking and exposing ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to all of the different careers that are available to them,” Sommers said.
Before coming to ºÚÁÏÉçÇø in December, Sommers served as the education project coordinator for iSPACE, an organization that provides educational programming in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for kids in the Greater Cincinnati area. She also taught science courses through a homeschooling co-op program and coached FIRST LEGO League Robotics teams, adding to her decade of STEM education experience.
“While I was at iSPACE, we taught classes from robotics and engineering to programming, science, and math. We really taught all varieties of different STEM classes,” Sommers said.
This programming experience carries over to how she leads K-12 outreach at Miami. She said she felt there was a piece missing when bridging the gap between a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s introduction to STEM and reaching STEM careers.
“At Miami, I have the opportunity to now put in that missing puzzle piece, to not only encourage ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs and inspire them in STEM while introducing them to STEM careers, but to also show them a pathway they can take to be able to reach those careers,” Sommers said.
For her role at Miami, she is ready to bring young learners to campus. Field trips have long been a part of her outreach philosophy, and she said she wants ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to be able to try on different hats while they’re in Oxford.
“I think it is important to bring ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to campus, where they can see themselves as a ºÚÁÏÉçÇø here, giving them the confidence that they could pursue a career in engineering and computer science,” Sommers said.
Sommers knows that logistics can get in the way of outreach, so she also plans to bring STEM education directly to ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs in the community, too. She wants to “take the best of Miami” with her wherever she goes, providing hands-on STEM activities, summer camps, and events to local K-12 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs.
Wielding a lifelong love of science, Sommers wants to provide STEM education and career pathways to young ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs, something that wasn’t emphasized when she was a child.
“I didn’t really understand what engineers did until I got to college,” Sommers said. “I want young ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to have that knowledge earlier, so they can explore their interests and see possibilities in STEM from a young age.”
Another area Sommers is excited to see growth in: girls and young women choosing STEM careers and education. She believes everyone has the capabilities to be successful in STEM careers but knows there are still barriers to entry for some young learners.
“The STEM field is growing in jobs, and there are not enough educated people who are willing to study and take on careers in those STEM fields,” Sommers said. “There is definitely a need in our community for people who have that passion for STEM.”
Outreach isn’t a solo venture for Sommers, and she said she is looking forward to working with Miami faculty and ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs to build bridges in the Oxford community. She plans to work with STEM-based ºÚÁÏÉçÇø organizations to build engaging programming for local children and work with Miamians to host educational opportunities.
“Miami has so much to offer in terms of STEM, especially with the College of Engineering and Computing,” Sommers said. “I am excited to be able to bring that to ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs in our community and beyond.”
Established in 1809, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the College of Engineering and Computing? Visit the website for more information.