Team Interview: Zarya
Where do you consider home (i.e. where are you from)? Technically, Atlanta. However, I don't feel much affinity for the place specifically, rather the people/memories/feelings that I have experienced here. Now that I'm in college and have access to travel and friends in different cities, home feels way more abstract of a concept.
Why did you join STEMulation? Two year ago, I took a gap year too take some time to pour into myself and understand myself better before college. I entered it not knowing how I wanted to spend my time but knowing that I wanted to do something where I felt inspired, challenged, and creative so I just started asking around for opportunities. Once I wan introduced to Michole and the work that they did with STEMulation, I knew I struck gold.
What was your favorite part of helping to create SpaceBox? How much of a collective process it's been creating and growing something that we all have so much passion for.
What is an experience (or 2) that helped you discover/ cultivate your interest in STEM and/or education? I was homeschooled K-8 which opened up the space for me to develop my interests in a way that was not connected to the pursuit of academic approval. My curiosity was rewarded with discovery, understanding, and pride.
How do you think STEM education can be more inclusive? Like many things I think we need to amplify more diverse voices and perspectives within academia in general. Non-western, disabled, indigenous, multilateral perspectives.
What is a random STEM fact that you love? The first computer bug ever recorded was a literal moth stuck in the hardware
What was your favorite game to play growing up (e.g. video game, board game)? As a huge lover of LEGO growing up, my brother and I would play a bunch of LEGO video games like LEGO Indiana Jones, LEGO Avengers, etc. which was always fun. After we finished the main quests, we treated the game like an open world rpg where we would make up our own storylines.
What is your favorite science fiction movie or tv show? I honestly don't watch much tv or (non-marvel) movies but in true gen-z fashion, my favorite sci-fi content is probably this youtuber/podcaster C.M. Kosemen who talks about speculative zoology, sci-fi worldbuilding, and paleontology.
What book are you reading right now? Finally getting around to reading Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
What are some words of wisdom that you live by? "In the world through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself" - Frantz Fanon