In this episode, Dr. Claude Hargrove and Linda Hargrove talk with Civil Engineer Sandra Stepney. This is an excerpt from a longer conversation held via Facebook Live during Engineers Week 2021. Guest Bio: Sandra Stepney is a 1983 graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. Sandra began her engineering career with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in January 1984 and progressed her career in the Roadway Design Unit through 2007. In 2010, Sandra began working with the NCDOT Rail Division in various engineering and management positions, un ..read more

In this episode, Dr. Claude Hargrove and Linda Hargrove talk with Systems Engineer Major Toby Crandall. This is an excerpt from a longer conversation held via Facebook Live during Engineers Week 2021. Guest Bio:Major Crandall is a native of Hertford, North Carolina and has nine siblings. He attended North Carolina State University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Math. Upon graduating in 2003, he enlisted in the Army Reserves. After a short period with 982nd Signal Company Wilson, NC he enlisted in the Regular Army. His initial active duty assignment was as a Video Telecommuni ..read more

In this episode, Dr. Claude Hargrove and Linda Hargrove discuss staying positive about the future of STEM during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discussed ‘rays of hope’ despite the bleak headlines. These include online STEM camps via Zoom, WebEx, and the like, as well as resources like virtual reality platforms offered by VEX robotics. Other resources include: Using STEM resources through your public library Scientific American: Education Exploratorium: Tinkering @ Home https://www.thetechathome.org/activities The STEM Dreams “Home STEM Center” The STEM Dreams Resources List Do you have somethi ..read more

Today’s guest: Neil Thompson, engineer, author and ‘teacher of geeks’ Guest bio: Neil Thompson is an entrepreneur, children’s book author, and patent agent. For years, he worked as a product development engineer in the medical device industry. He started the online platform Teach the Geek to help scientists and engineers with non-technical skills that often get overlooked. His first target? Public speaking. The first offering of the platform, Teach the Geek to Speak, is the online course to help with public speaking. His children’s book, Ask Uncle Neil: Why is my hair curly? is about his nephe ..read more

Today’s guest: Juan Alfredo Fuentes Guest Bio:  Juan Fuentes graduated from UNC Charlotte in the Fall of 2014 with a degree in Systems & Industrial Engineering and Mathematics. Upon graduation, he started working for CTL Packaging, USA as a Project Engineer for cosmetic plastic packaging clients like L’Oreal, and Alba Botanica. For a brief period right after graduation, he worked with Dilliard’s Corporation. Juan then transitioned to work for Duke Energy as a Jr. Project Manager for the Coal Ash Basin Closure Projects before finding his way to working at Coca-Cola Consolidated as ..read more

Today’s guest: Rosalyn Ellington Show notes: Rosalyn graduated from NC State University with a BS in Materials Engineering with an emphasis in metallurgical engineering. She worked in this field for seven years until getting laid off. She was able to pivot to a career as a civil engineering project manager with the State of Florida, where she had to learn about the environment and land use impacts in and around the Everglades. Rosalyn has been in this role for over 23 years. She’s living proof that engineers and engineering are flexible. I (Linda) met Rosalyn when I was a college freshman. Sin ..read more

Today’s guests: The Williams family (Braska, Myrna, Martia, and Breeyonna, pictured above; left to right) Show notes: Braska Williams is the NC MSEN Pre-College Program Coordinator at NC State University in Raleigh, NC. MSEN stands for Math Science Education Network, which is a state-wide pre-college STEM program for middle and high school students. Your state or region might have something similar to foster the pursuit of STEM careers among K-12 students. Myrna is a work-at-home mom. Their two girls have both chosen to pursue STEM studies in college. The oldest, Martia (Tia, for short) is stu ..read more

Today’s guest: Paul Adeleke, electrical engineer & microchip designer His STEM bio: Paul is currently a verification Engineer with Cirrus Logic. He has a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. He has been an electrical engineer for more than 20 years, verifying microchips as well as building and developing test environments for pre-silicon validation of designs. Born in Nigeria, Paul now works in the Austin, Texas area. He’s a husband and dad. Show notes: In this episode, Linda talks with fellow NC State College of Engineering alum, Paul Adeleke. Pa ..read more

Today’s guest: Janine Woods, Ph.D., NC Cooperative Extension specialist, international agriculture advocate Her STEM bio: Dr. Woods is an international agricultural development professional who is skilled in agricultural extensions systems, both international and domestic; with proven capacity to work in practitioner and academic settings, as well as working with vulnerable and established populations as a facilitator, liaison, leader and educator. She holds a PhD in International Extension Systems, Agriculture Leadership & Agriculture Education. Since the recording of this episode in Febr ..read more

What is STEM? STEM is a term used to describe a group of related professions: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Why STEM Dreams? Some kids dream of becoming sports superstars. Some (believe it or not) dream of becoming scientists, technologists, engineers, or mathematicians. Read about the people behind STEM Dreams. Today’s guest: Daren Williams, P.E., civil engineer, father, and husband His STEM bio: In 2002, Daren Williams completed his undergraduate studies at the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Ocean Engineering. He was commissi ..read more