Short Wave This NASA Engineer Is Bringing Math And Science To Hip Hop
Feb 25, 2020
Dajae Williams, a NASA engineer, is on a mission to bridge the gap between math, science, and hip hop. She shares her inspiring journey from feeling out of place to thriving at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. Dajae highlights how music inspired her love for math and helps engage young people, particularly from underrepresented communities, in STEM. She discusses the challenges of being in a homogeneous workplace and emphasizes the importance of mentorship and collaboration in empowering the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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Early Struggles and Turning Point
- Dajae Williams initially struggled with math and science due to a lack of resources in her early education.
- A supportive 7th-grade teacher helped her achieve her first 100 on a test, boosting her confidence.
Quadratic Formula Rap
- Dajae's teacher assigned a project to create a song about the quadratic formula.
- Dajae created a hip-hop version, surprising her class and sparking her interest in combining music and math.
Relatable Learning
- Make learning relatable and memorable.
- Combine subjects with something learners are emotionally attached to, like music.