EP#23 - CIVIL ENGINEERING AND STEM OUTREACH with Dani The Engineer

Read It Right Radio Show

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dani the Engineer, a Civil Engineer and STEM Content Creator, about the intersection of Civil Engineering and STEM Outreach. We delved into the importance of civil engineering in our infrastructure and how STEM outreach can inspire the next generation of engineers.
Here are some Key Questions I Asked Dani Include:

• How did you get started in civil engineering and what inspired you to pursue this field?
• What does a civil engineer do, and how does civil engineering impact our daily lives?
• Why is STEM outreach important, and how do you engage with students to inspire them to pursue careers in STEM?
• Can you share one of your favorite memories from a STEM outreach event?
• What advice do you have for students or parents looking to find local STEM outreach events?
• What are some common mistakes people make when starting out as a STEM content creator, and how can they avoid them?
• What tools or resources do you provide to help others get started in civil engineering or STEM outreach?

Here are some Key Takeaways from Our Discussion on "Civil Engineering and STEM Outreach":

• Dani’s Journey: Dani shares her path to becoming a civil engineer, which started at home with her father, a carpenter, and was solidified by attending an engineering girls camp in high school. This early exposure to engineering sparked her passion for civil engineering.
• Civil Engineering Explained: Civil engineering is about designing, building, and maintaining infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and water systems. Dani breaks down the various subdisciplines within civil engineering, including transportation, structures, geotechnical, water resources, and construction.
• Importance of STEM Outreach: Dani emphasizes the need for early exposure to STEM fields, particularly for young students who might not yet know about the vast opportunities available. Through her outreach efforts, she helps students explore different areas of STEM and find their passion.
• Favorite STEM Outreach Memory: Dani recalls a memorable moment when a young student surprised her with an insightful observation about skyscrapers. This moment highlighted the bright future ahead for the next generation of engineers.
• Finding STEM Events: Dani advises using local STEM professional organizations, like WTS and NSBE, to find outreach events. Social media can also be a valuable tool for discovering both local and virtual events.
• Lessons in STEM Content Creation: Dani encourages aspiring STEM content creators to share their

About the Host: Tiffani Teachey
Tiffani Teachey is a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocate, TEDx international speaker, and international best-selling author of the children’s book “What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z,” the STEM Crew Kids Adventures series, and three empowerment books. She is the host of the Read It Right Radio Show on WDRBmedia. Tiffani owns Thrive Edge Publishing and is the owner/publishing consultant of Inspired Authors Publishing. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management, both from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is a Leadership Studies Ph.D. student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

As an engineer with over 19 years of experience, Tiffani is passionate about inspiring the next generation to engage in STEM careers. She was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and enjoys traveling and being a youth mentor. For more about Tiffani, visit her website at www.TiffaniTeachey.com. Check out the free STEM gift—the 10 STEM Scholarships & Organizations e-book—at www.stemistheway.com.