Debbie Sterling
This is a story about an entrepreneur who quit a stable, well-paying job and risked her life savings to pursue a passion. This is a story of an engineer using skills she acquired at Stanford University to create something new. And this is a story of a businesswoman who leveraged non-traditional funding sources, most notably Kickstarter, to raise the capital needed to launch a company. Meet Debbie Sterling, founder of GoldieBlox, a Bay Area startup launched in 2012 to create toys that inspire girls to pursue engineering.
Ms. Sterling generated nationwide media attention, from Time Magazine to Wired to Forbes, after raising over $285,000 on Kickstarter to fund GoldieBlox. There are more women than men in our country, yet according to the National Science Foundation barely 15% of engineering degrees are awarded to women. There are exceptions, including renowned Harvey Mudd College, where women are approaching an equal split of graduates, yet despite years of effort, the number of women seeking engineering degrees remains stubbornly low.
Debbie Sterling is on a social mission to change those statistics by introducing a generation of girls to engineering. OneDublin.org recently spoke with Ms. Sterling about women in engineering, entrepreneurship and founding her company, GoldieBlox.
James Morehead: You recently spoke with middle school girls at the Expanding Your Horizons Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) event held at UC Berkeley. What message were you trying to convey?
GoldieBlox and the Spinning Machine
Debbie Sterling: “The reason why I started GoldieBlox in the first place was because I am passionate about getting more girls and women into engineering. As I began researching the problem I identified that you have to hook girls when they are really young. As early as age four girls start identifying certain gender roles in occupations. The first toy that I’ve launched, which I hope will eventually be a huge brand covering a bunch of different ages, was designed for girls aged five through nine.
“When I was asked to speak at Expanding Your Horizons I realized I can also be a role model, and connect with girls outside the age range of GoldieBlox’s first toy. What I was hoping to do was demonstrate that an engineer can be a woman, and that you don’t need to be a genius; I think I’m a pretty accessible person. I was hoping that they could look at me and see themselves, see my passion for engineering, in the hope that it would spark something.”
Tuesday March 26 is National Epilepsy Awareness Day, also known as ‘Purple Day’. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder. Epilepsy is the general term used for the over 40 types of seizure disorders or syndromes. Seizures affect 1 in 10 individuals during their lifetime. An estimated 2,000 individuals are affected by seizures in the Tri-Valley. It can be overwhelming to receive a diagnosis of a seizure disorder / epilepsy for the individual afflicted as well as their loved ones. Often medications taken for seizure disorders or the seizures themselves can affect cognition for students. Diagnosis of epilepsy is more common in children and seniors: however can begin at any age.
Pleasanton-based Eric’s Corner offers resources, knowledge, support and education to help ease the isolation and lack of awareness surrounding epilepsy. Eric’s Corner volunteer educational events tend to need a minimum of one hour and there is no charge to the participants as outreach and education are an essential part of the Eric’s Corner mission. Last year, Eric’s Corner hosted an Educational Awareness Event for the Rotary Club of Dublin. Eric’s Corner volunteers can also provide assistance for families to communicate the needs of their child with seizures to the schools, by providing a well drafted individual Seizure Action Plan, and help to shed some light on the process for requesting appropriate accommodations or modifications within the public school system. Eric’s Corner Support Group and Social Outings offer community while living with an often isolating condition.
On March 26 help the volunteers of Eric’s Corner and honor those in our community living with seizures by wearing purple. Please email photos of your participation to kim@ericscorner.org or eric@ericscorner.org.
If you or someone you know would like to host an Epilepsy Awareness Event (EAE), Eric’s Corner would be glad to coordinate an educational experience. Learn more about epilepsy / seizure disorders and how to respond to a seizure. Community outreach is essential to the growth of epilepsy awareness. The Eric’s Corner Support Group meets the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at 5725 W. Las Positas Blvd. suite 270, Pleasanton. Meetings are open to the public, including individuals of all ages and a variety of seizure types, as well as family friends and care givers. New comers are always welcome.
200+ Attend CSF / CJSF Conference at Fallon Middle School
Fallon Middle School’s CJSF (California Junior Scholarship Federation) chapter, supported by advisors and Fallon teachers Lorrin Harris, Terri Sharbach and Kelly Zummo, welcomed over 200 students from across the Bay Area and beyond for the 2013 CSF / CJSF Central Coast Regional Conference.
The theme for the event was “Believe – Relieve – Achieve”. Fallon CJSF advisor Terri Sharbach, “CSF / CJSF is a wonderful organization of high-achieving students who want to make a difference in their community through volunteerism, tutoring, and enrichment activities. They are amazing kids. At this year’s conference we organized workshops on stress management, the use of technology, academic achievement and college preparation, and more.”
Lorrin Harris
The day long event include a keynote presentation, three workshop sessions in classrooms across the Fallon campus and the presentation of CSF / CJSF awards. Fallon teacher and CJSF advisor Lorrin Harris, “The students played a key role in generating ideas for the event, what is difficult for students, what challenges they facing, and how can we address those challenges and reduce stress. Technology and the need for good grades, are coming at us full force, where do we find that balance? The ideas for workshops and presenters all came from discussions with the students. The students also reached out to all of our presenters, to our corporate sponsors; the kids set up all that communication and they did a fantastic job.”
Dublin 7th Graders Teach Family Members Adult Hands-Only CPR
7th graders across Dublin are learning a special skill this year – adults hands-only CPR. Dublin Unified School District and school districts across the East Bay, in partnership with Alameda County, created the CPR 7 program to teach 7th graders and their family members a simple, life-saving skill. When your student comes home with the CPR 7 kit set aside 15 minutes to learn the skill your child learned in school, even if you have already taken CPR training in the past.
The Alameda County Emergency Medical Service is working to increase the bystander CPR rate from 28% to 60% in 3 years; participating in this program with your 7th grader will help achieve this goal. After participating in the 15-minute training your child will ask you to sign a form acknowledging your participation.
The CPR 7 kit includes a training DVD, a model for practicing adult hands-only CPR and additional material from the American Heart Association. According to the CPR 7 training material, the most common reason given for not performing CPR is a fear of harming the person in distress; you don’t need to be afraid to help – your 7th grader will guide you through the 15 minutes of training.
Almost five years ago, Measure L, the parcel tax proposed in Dublin passed with an overwhelming 72% acceptance rate. A two-thirds majority of ballots cast were required to pass this into law. The Measure was designed to support high academic achievement in math, science, reading, writing, and technology; to attract and retain highly qualified teachers; maintain small class sizes; and to provide ongoing teacher training. Additionally an independent citizens’ oversight committee was committed to ensure that no monies for administrator salaries were earmarked here and that all dollars were to stay in our community to maintain a high quality education. What has occurred since that vote?
OneDublin.org explored and was pleased to report that tangible benefits are occurring. Specifically, the 2012/13 academic year has yielded a new Science coaching program that is currently benefitting all elementary schools across the District. The program is completing its first year and should provide positive benefits for all our primary students next year as they begin to matriculate into their respective middle schools. As an ancillary outcome, we uncovered a science program unique to Murray Elementary School that should inspire future scientists of all ages.
As a direct outcome of Measure L and their corresponding funds, the Dublin Unified School District contemplated many options. With the confluence of increasing academic achievement in all subjects and with the horizon of the movement towards Common Core Standards in 2014, a decision was made to capitalize upon this opportunity at the primary education level. Specifically, a District-led committee focused in on how science engagement could be enhanced across all grade levels. Traditionally, under the CST model, all California students have been measured under testing provided in the fifth, eight and tenth grades. While this has not changed, the measurement has. The evaluation of Science under Common Core Science has moved under the umbrella of English/Language/Arts. What does this mean? While scientific evaluation has not altered, it is the student’s ability to articulate a theorem that has moved to the forefront. In other words, it is not enough to identify a complete circuit, but to explain it, in plain English. Again, this is all being driven by the new state standards which will be implemented shortly in California.
The Dublin High School boys varsity basketball team has been making noise recently, reaching the semi-finals at the California State Championships before falling in an overtime thriller on Saturday in Sacramento. Much closer to home, Dublin Unified School District staff the Dublin High School Gaels Robotics Club helped to fulfill the basketball dreams for scores of our students that reside in the Tri-Valley. Last Friday, a special collaboration between Special Olympics of Northern California and schools in the local area came together to conduct an interactive basketball tournament to specifically benefit students aged 11 – 22.
The celebration was held at Granada High School in Livermore. The participants included middle and high school students attending schools in Pleasanton, Livermore and Dublin, including those attending under the umbrella of Adaptive Physical Education (APE). APE is a physical education program which may be adaptive or modified to address the individualized needs of children and youth who have motor developmental delays. Under this definition, students receive assessments / specific instructions, individualized goals and benchmarks. This instruction is required by California State law, and is performed in a Least Restricted Environment (LRE). Adaptations are made to ensure that each student will experience success in a safe environment. Students that participate vary from individuals with minor developmental disabilities to those with profound handicaps. Regardless, the emphasis of APE is to facilitate participation of students with disabilities with typically developing peers in age-appropriate activities.
It was a sparkling morning in Livermore as a mass of students gathered in the Granada High School quad in advance of the first bell. While students scattered to their respective classrooms, we entered into the main gymnasium for the opening ceremonies. The bleachers were filled with students, staff members, families and friends. After a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by a Granada student and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Special Olympics Athlete’s Oath was cited:
“Let me win; but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Fallon Middle School has been chosen to host the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Conference for the Central California Coast region. CSF is a community service organization made up of high-achieving students that want to make a difference in their communities through volunteering and fundraising. The middle school version is CJSF – California Junior Scholarship Federation. Dublin High School hosted a CSF / CJSF conference in 2011 (read more…).
The CSF Conference for the Central California Coast region will take place at the Fallon Middle School Campus on Saturday, March 23rd. The theme of the conference is “Believe, Relieve and Achieve, through Mind, Body and School.” The conference will have a number of workshops involving the theme. Fallon is anticipating approximately 200 educators, administrators and students in attendance.
Fallon CJSF student members and advisors have been working diligently to encourage local businesses to donate gift certificates, cash or “swag” items to help the conference be a success. There is still much to do and Fallon Middle School would like to let the community know of their needs. If there is any way you can help the conference through donations please contact a CJSF Advisor at Fallon Middle School and let them know how you can help:
- Terri Sharbach mrssharbach@fallonschool.com
- Kelly Zummor kellyzummo@fallonschool.com
- Lorrin Harris msharris@fallonschool.com
(Back row, left to right) Kelly Zummo, Christopher Song (treasurer), Terri Sharbach, Lorrin Harris (Front row, left to right) Amy Peng (vice president), Ishan Saha (president), Anatasia Mabini (historian), Kathleen Attendido (secretary)
Parade participants, early risers and those seeking a green pancake breakfast awoke Saturday to thick fog in many parts of Dublin. By the time the parade was signaled to start, promptly at 9:30am, the fog had lifted and the streets of downtown Dublin lined with families. The parade featured entries from schools across Dublin, marching bands, color guards, cheer teams, dance troupes, martial arts demonstrations, dogs, motorcycles, Shriner clowns scooting across the street, horses, bagpipers, veterans, local businesses, boy scouts, girl scouts, and more.
The parade also featured Congressman and Grand Marshal Eric Swalwell, Citizen of the Year Janet Lockhart, Young Citizen of the Year Camille Chabot and Organization of the Year Tri Valley Youth Court.
Notably absent was City of Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti who is, appropriately, currently in Dublin, Ireland enjoying St. Patrick’s Day festivities with mayors from cities named Dublin from throughout the world.
St. Patrick’s Day festivities continue Sunday with the Shamrock 5K Fun Run & Walk and day 2 of the St. Patrick’s Day Festival featuring carnival games, booths, food and drink, and the McGrath Irish Dancers. Details on all events are available here.
Dublin High School, Fallon Middle School, Wells Middle School, St. Raymond’s Catholic School and Valley Christian School all participated on behalf of their schools and the City of Dublin at the Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair last Saturday (March 9). Dublin High School led the way with more participants than any other school at the fair – over 60 Dublin High School students participated representing 37 different projects earning 4 first place, 1 second place, 5 third place, and 5 fourth place awards. Fallon Middle School also secured a first place award, and Wells Middle School and St. Raymond’s Catholic School also took home awards. More important than the awards, however, was the effort by all participants to apply the scientific method to real world problems. In all hundreds of students from schools across Alameda County participated in the event.
Dublin High School’s young scientists were also awarded two Best in Category awards, for “Helping Handicapped Kids Play Basketball” and “The Efficiency of a Spectrophotometer”. The students that created “Helping Handicapped Kids Play Basketball” earned partial funding to attend the California State Science Fair (CSSF) in Los Angeles later this year. Congratulations to these young scientists and the teachers that support their efforts.
Related articles:
- Science Fair Project Primer – ‘Tis the Season for the Scientific Method
- MythBusters Adam Savage and Kari Byron on the Art of Science and Experimentation
- Harvey Mudd College President Maria Klawe on Women in Science, Math and Engineering
- Heather Knight and Social Robotics: The Intersection of Storytelling and Technology
Below is a complete list of entrants from Dublin’s middle and high schools and more pictures from the event:
Fallon Middle School 7th grader Gary Yang was recently notified by the National Geographic Society that he qualified to compete as a semifinalist in the 2013 California National Geographic Bee, sponsored by Google and Plum Creek. The 2013 California National Geographic Bee will be held in Sacramento at Cosumnes River College on Friday, April 5, 2013.
Gary Yang, “My interest in geography started back in the 5th grade at school in Tennessee. I had never been in a geography bee before, but when the time came, I realized that I was actually pretty good at naming places, countries, borders, bodies of water and whatever else. I started studying, memorizing facts, playing games, and ended up going to the state competition in Nashville. As a school representative, I placed just out of reach of the final round, but since then, the experience has taught me a lot about myself. Or how I could do better next time. A few times I’ve stumbled on an easy question, but I just have to learn to pick myself up, and sometimes, to calm myself down. I’ve learned that you don’t need to impress people by answering questions as fast as you can. In the end, your goal is to take the time to give your most accurate answer.
“When it comes to the competition, you need to focus. You give your best answer, and you try to think straight. There isn’t much need for cramming the night before. Try to relax, and make sure you don’t panic. If you think you might have heard something wrong, ask the moderator to repeat the question (just don’t ask too often- you only have 2 opportunities for a repeat).
“Geography is about memory. Just keep on studying, and you’ll go far. We learn from our mistakes. However, I still think that geography deserves to be a more important part of our education. If more kids were interested, then maybe we could send an even more qualified student (I try my best to be modest) to state next year, or the year after. According to Stephen Cunha, this year’s coordinator, two thousand schools competed for this year’s state bee. Only the top one hundred and nine students received a spot in the state contest, so if you get as far you should already have some confidence in your knowledge. Geography is a game. You just have to learn how to play it.”
OneDublin.org 