Jahari Soward takes pride in being a scientist. However, the organic chemist came to realize her true calling is to introduce chemistry to young students in a way that opens their imaginations in areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).
Soward created a learning tool called My eSTEAM Kits that is used in 13 after-school programs by YWCA of Greater Atlanta.
“It’s a box of materials and we offer teacher instruction and videos,” said Soward. “Students also have an opportunity to have a conversations with professionals in different STEAM areas through webinars.”
Through the YWCA, Soward’s My eSTEAM Kits are used in schools such as the International Academy of Smyrna, Druid Hills Middle School and Harper-Archer Middle School. The My eSTEAM Kits cover a variety of topics that range from robotics to filmmaking.
For example, there’s a consumer kit in which students learn how to make detergent and toothpaste.
“With toothpaste, we show them different abrasion levels; how to test different fluoride levels, proper pH and what’s appropriate for someone’s mouth,” said Soward.
Future beauty experts can experiment with the cosmetics kit. Young sleuths can delve into forensics. There’s even a bio medical engineering kit for students to learn about heart pulse sensors.
“They get super excited because they are able to see their own heart rate,” said Soward. “Then they talk to a bio med engineer to see how this plays out in real life situations.”
As students begin to relate to the multitude of professions that involve STEAM, they become confident about their future options, explained Soward.
She worked as a recruiter for STEAM industry jobs.
“I recognized all the different things that you could do with chemistry and I thought, ‘What if I had known these things when I was in school growing up,’” added Soward. “For years, as I placed talent, it was a struggle to find minorities, and definitely women.”
Beyond school settings, My eSTEAM Kits are available online through a subscription service that delivers a different box to homes every other month.
“I hope it inspires students,” said Soward. “My team is full of people who are engineers, product developers and others who work in the STEAM industry.”
For more information, visit myesteamkits.com
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