The Current: EPI's Newsletter Spring 2018 EPI Newsletter_for web | Page 2

The seed of change begins
with just one person
recognizing a girl’s potential
in a STEM field and
choosing to nurture it.
STEM for GOOD
At EPI, we believe that real change can happen when people interact
with nature. However, the opportunity to practice hands-on science and
envision a future in a science-based field is not shared equally among boys
and girls. We’re aiming to change that fact, and our incredible instructors,
partners, teachers, and alumni are proving how powerful it can be to plant
and nurture this seed of change.
KIERA MCNELIS
Engineer & EPI
Yellowstone Alumna
CAMILA LEON
Scientist and EPI Co-founder
EPI Galapagos Alumna
& Leadership Award Winner
KLAVDIJA JENKO
High School Science Teacher
& EPI Chaperone
AS A SCIENCE TEACHER,
Alan knew he wanted to do more
to encourage girls’ interest in
STEM, so he organized an all-girls
EPI Yellowstone course. During
the course, it was obvious that he’d
done it right: the girls’ confidence
grew, they laughed more, and they
dove into the field science. Having
female instructors on course gave
the girls positive role models and
showed them an exciting science
career where they could make a
difference.
“
For me, it was a no-brainer to
encourage these girls who will, in
my opinion, change the world.
BORN AN EXPLORER,
Klavdija first fell in love with
nature in her home country
of Slovenia. Her passion for
nature and science landed her
a biology degree, which she
used as she traveled the world,
working with researchers and
species in many ecosystems.
Even though her family often
thought her decisions were
too ambitious, she proved she
could be a world traveler, study
biology, and do the work she
loves simultaneously.
“
It feels good to be able to say
to younger generations that a
lot is possible if you don’t stop
dreaming and never let others tell
you what your limits are.
“
I keep going, despite the challenges,
because I have the fortune of living
the life I dreamed of and built.
“
ALAN SIMAYS
WHILE WORKING ON HER
PhD, Dení met her first whale
shark and fell in love. Research
was sparse, and the species
was disappearing from La Paz
Bay, but Dení knew she could
help despite the obstacles.
She developed the technology
to collect tissue samples,
recorded their natural behaviors
using GoPros, and improved
tourism policies. Dení works
with students, EPI instructors,
young researchers, and the
community to understand and
protect her favorite animal.
“
C O N S E R VAT I O N • E D U C AT I O N • C U LT U R A L E X C H A N G E
“
EPI Ecuador Program
Coordinator & Instructor
“
Field science and classroom science
are different. There is so much more
you have to take into account in the
field, which makes it harder but much
more of an experience.
“
DENÍ RAMÍREZ
Director of Whale Shark Mexico
& EPI Mexico research partner
AT 17, CAMILA IS ON HER WAY TO
becoming a great scientist. Native
to the Galapagos Islands, Camila
participated in her first EPI course
at 13. She then joined EPI’s Mola
Mola Eco-club, getting involved in
community conservation projects.
Now she’s leading a year-long
research project on beach erosion
at Tortuga Bay in partnership with
Galapagos Nati onal Park scientists.
KIERA’S PARTICIPATION IN AN EPI
Yellowstone course solidified her
decision to pursue a career in STEM.
On her EPI course, she felt awed by
the nuanced, arduous, and iterative
process of field science - so different
than the science in the classroom.
Kiera took that inspiration into
her career, where she is now an
engineer, overseeing a team for a
molecular diagnostics company.
“
Looking back, I wish I had wasted
less energy on thinking I wasn’t
smart enough, didn’t deserve my
achievements, or didn’t belong in the
group. I had to replace all that with
the voice of confidence.
“
JULIE OSBORN
At EPI, we’re in a unique
position to foster girls’
passion for science and
their great desire to do
good in the world.
Join us:
ecologyproject.org/stem4good
EPI P articipants
64% female
EPI I nstructors
67% female
O ur G lobal S taff
66% female
E C O L O G Y P R O J E C T I N T E R N AT I O N A L • W W W. E C O L O G Y P R O J E C T.O R G • 4 0 6 . 7 2 1 . 8 7 8 4