ERN...

Juan Gilbert, Chair of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department at the University of Florida speeks to attendees of the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. | MICHAEL COLELLA

Topics: Diversity, Diversity in Science, STEM, Women in Science

A lot of my off time I spend just being "seen," especially if I do a STEM fair. The usual questions are:

"Why did you major in physics?"

"Isn't it hard?"

"What other black people are physicists?"

I usually rattle off a few names from this list, then I point out when they learned how to walk, they had to learn balance in their inner ear so that when one foot falls (literally what you're doing) you don't collapse to the floor. "How many people can ride a bike?" Every hand goes up. Well, the same physics you used to learn how to walk is the same inner ear balance you used to stay upright on a bicycle. Or roller blade...or drive a car...or playing video games (who knew?).

Sometimes, just being seen is the only magic they'll ever need.

When computer science professor Juan Gilbert goes into an elementary-school classroom to talk about his work with students, most of them have never considered being a scientist before, and have never met one. But after one hour-long talk describing some of his work in human-centered computing, such as flying drones with brainwaves, their teachers report a turn-around in their perceptions, Gilbert said. “They say, ‘That’s cool,’ and are interested in doing science too.”

“I like to say, ‘If they see it, they can be it,’” Gilbert said. “You can’t underestimate the power of a role model.” Gilbert, who is the chair of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department at the University of Florida, shared this story on the final night of the sixth Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) held 25-27 February in Washington, D.C.

The ERN conference is co-sponsored by AAAS and the National Science Foundation (NSF). It had more than 1,000 participants from 229 colleges and universities, 45 of which are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). About 70% of the participants are undergraduate and graduate student researchers who receive federal support for minorities, women, or students with disabilities. More than 600 gave oral or poster presentations at the conference.

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