Exploring Women in STEM E1
SciTech Institute was established as a nonprofit organization as a conduit for collaboration among STEM industry, academia, civic, and non-profit organizations to align assets and resources to motivate individuals to pursue STEM-related educational and career paths. Together, we will build a world-class community of diverse STEM-literate workers and knowledgeable, engaged citizens.
Jacob Lounsbury graduated from Western Michigan University in December of 2000 with quadruple minors Elementary Education, Math, General Science, and Language Arts. In January he started teaching full time for the Saginaw Public School District. In the District Jacob was responsible for Seventh and eighth Grade Science Education at North Middle School. Jacob Was also involved in the Schools Basketball Program and Track Program, coaching the School’s Girls Basketball Team and coaching the School’s track team.
Jacob was also a member of the Michigan National Guard, serving as a Cavalry Scout. Jacob spent nearly 10 years in service, including 5 years active time. The active time in the Guard included a combat deployment to Kandahar province, Afghanistan. In Afghanistan Jacob was a Gunner, Truck Commander, Squad Leader, Biometrics Security Specialist, and Key Leader Engagement Team Lead.
Upon returning home from Afghanistan Jacob returned to the classroom. Teaching in Bridgeport Michigan, Jacob taught 8th grade Science and Writing, as well as was the advisor of the Schools Student Council, Girls Track and Basketball Coach, Team Achieve Committee Chair and Karaoke Club Advisor. Through active involvement in the school’s STEM engagement plan, Jacob became part of the CSO community as an Advisor, then moved to a team member, first going to Kuwait for their initial Leadership Training Institute, then moved to working of the guides as part of the Global Implementation Team.
Jake is now the Director of Global Partnerships for Chief Science Officers International. In this role, Jake serves as a “Jake of all Trades” working on government and corporate partnerships, implementation and logistics of new and continuing programs, the Middle East Liaison team lead, diplomatic advisor and much more. You will still find Jake in the front of the programs many cabinets both nationally and internationally leading training with both the students and advisors alike.
Connect with Jake on Instagram.
Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. Tempe, AZ hosts Viasat’s Space and Commercial Networks division and a satellite manufacturing facility, which is designing and building the most powerful satellite broadband constellation to-date.
Sarah Shepis graduated from the University of Arizona in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering. For the past two years she has worked at Viasat Inc. as a materials/mechanical hybrid engineer. Her work focuses on optimizing the design of commercial, military and space technologies used to connect the world.
In addition to her fervor for technological advancement, Sarah feels passionately about making STEM opportunities more accessible to women and all youth. Sarah is an avid outreach volunteer and mentor of the CSO of the year, CSO Shalae!
To find balance in the life of an engineer, Sarah enjoys the great outdoors, being a Viasat photo ambassador and unofficial yoga teacher for other engineers.
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn and follow Viasat Inc. on Twitter.
Katy Reno, Community Outreach Manager, SciTech Institute.
Chief Science Officer (CSO) Shalae Clemens is a member of the International Leadership Council and the current CSO of the Year.
She is a freshman at McClintock High School and a 3rd year CSO.
Shalae has a passion for STEM and is using her leadership skills to prepare the STEM workforce of tomorrow.
Connect with Shalae on Instagram.
About Our Sponsor
SciTech Institute™ was established as the Arizona Technology Council Foundation as the conduit for collaboration among STEM industry, academia, civic, and non-profit organizations in Arizona. Now, rebranded and named the SciTech Institute™ the goal centers around aligning assets and resources to motivate individuals to pursue STEM-related educational and career paths or find a passion while engaged in community events during the SciTech Festival. 
The Chief Science Officer program highlights the 6th-12th graders that have been selected as leaders in their schools and communities to receive training to build a world-class community of diverse STEM-literate workers and knowledgeable, engaged citizens. Science For All allows for tax credit donations to provide engaging experiences for students while RAIN (Rural Activation Innovation Network) focuses on resources for the rural areas of Arizona.
As a STEM Learning Ecosystem, SciTech Institute™ focuses on collaboration and connecting individuals with opportunities! STEM Professionals are encouraged to engage with the future workforce by serving as a mentor, leadership coach, panelist, keynote and session trainer during a variety of conferences hosted or sponsored by SciTech Institute™ and The Arizona Technology Council.
Teachers and Administrators are invited to connect with the resources available while activating a large network of STEM champions for student projects, judges at events, volunteers, exhibitors and more. SciTech Festival Event Coordinators are supported during the planning and execution of community STEM events around the state by the SciTech STREET Team Members and the growing network of volunteers. The possibilities are endless! SciTech Institute™ looks forward to connecting with you today. Visit SciTechInstitute.org today for more information.
Follow SciTech Institute on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Your STEM Unplugged Host
After graduating from Bolivar-Richburg High School in rural western New York and joining the United States Army, Kelly Greene learned quickly to adapt to her surroundings to be successful. She attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and played shortstop on the Tiger softball team while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.
After graduating from Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, she traveled the world with the military. While stationed in Misawa, Japan, Kelly fell in love with learning about cultures around the world. Even as a deployed Soldier during Operation Iraqi Freedom for two tours, she found opportunities to connect with the local children to form the Victory Base Council Girl Scouts with her fellow servicemen.
In 2013, she was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and traveled the country by air and had the opportunity to utilize the most advanced technologies available to the tactical HUMINT operations in theater. Upon return from combat, she retired with 21 years of service and began teaching 6th grade Math.
After being selected as a Westside Impact Teacher of the Year and having her Fiesta Bowl Charities Wish Granted for a morning news studio, she was asked to begin a new class on campus – 7th grade STEM! Using her enthusiastic nature and combined with her strong classroom management she was able to design curriculum based on the Engineering Design Process to have her 7th graders complete a new project every 2 weeks!
She is excited to serve as the Director of Student Success for the rapidly expanding Chief Science Officers Program. Her goal is to push students just a bit outside of their comfort zone so they can see for themselves the power of their own ideas.
