When I think of my community I think of Bakersfield: a city afflicted with low literacy rates, high dropout rates, and an ongoing list of detrimental statistics.
A specific issue that I wanted to see addressed in my community was the lack of hands-on opportunities for the youth in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) associated fields. With STEM subjects dictating curriculum in schools and in the job market, the youth in Bakersfield should have an outlet in the community where they can begin potential research projects or just have a place to get more information for future career paths and goals. I wanted to provide a voice for the youth community in Bakersfield. For me, this meant applying for the first Bakersfield Youth Commission. After submitting
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By becoming a member of this commission, I had access to more resources to get plans enacted and a platform to impact the youth of Bakersfield because of the collaborative aspect that it provided for me to work with co-commissioners, existing councilmen, and the Bakersfield youth. I drew inspiration from my time being a mentor at Lego Mindstorm helping underprivileged children learn to use STEM applications to code robots at a local library. By using special Lego blocks and coding software program, I was able to give these children their first interaction with engineering. Better yet, these children acquired the basic knowledge of coding in a unique and interactive way that turned a daunting task that involved engineering and technology, to an approachable activity. As of now, I am working with the commission to schedule STEM conventions at local schools and having advisers from college campuses provide guidance to students. Not only with STEM, this experience