Hall student representatives, Javier Garcia & Stephanie Lau spoke at the 2012 gala about how the Hall changed their lives. Javier Garcia discovered the Hall in 2008 as a Cal student. He came on board to help create bilingual Spanish/English activities for the EQUALS program. He went on to be a lead facilitator for the Ingenuity in Action exhibit and is now working with the education team, delivering science workshops to school groups. Motivated by his experience at the Hall and the inspiring people he’s met here, he has decided to apply for graduate school and pursue a career in STEM education.
Stephanie Lau grew up in Oakland, and became involved with the Hall when she was in high school. Through a program called Environmental Science Information Technology Activities, she received experience and mentorship while learning how to use technological tools to answer scientific questions. This experience inspired her to pursue a career as a scientist. She is the first person in her family to have done so. She recently completed her undergraduate degree in molecular and cell biology, and plans to get her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences.
We thank Javier and Stephanie for sharing their stories with our gala guests and we wish them all the best in what we are sure to be bright futures.