THE ISSUES:
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Lack of positive representation of minority women in STEM careers, media, film, and fashion.
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Gaps in mathematics and science achievement persist for minority and low-income students in K – 12 education.
WHAT IS SUPERCOOL?
Designed for at risk and low-income female students, Supercool was a free, 2-year (2014 - 2016) traveling interactive learning initiative that combined fashion, art, science, and technology to promote S.T.E.M. careers for teenage girls in grades 6-10. The supplementary Supercool Toolkit trained out-of-school time programs ways to utilize art and design to connect girls to STEM education in order to transform the way they understand and approach STEM careers. The 10 week curriculum inspired the teenagers to do one thing: Be Supercool.
SUPPORT
This 2-year program was made possible in part by The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments. As a recipient of the Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh grant, I designed and manufactured a 35-piece culturally responsive fashion collection and accompanying photobook that re-imagined women as scientists and engineers. I then utilized the designs and photobook as assets to deliver a 10-week STEAM curriculum to students, effectively using fashion and design to demystify STEM careers and foster technical confidence.
