Stephanie Kirkpatrick

Q: Where are you from?

A: I’m from Canton, Ohio–about 4 hours northeast of here.

Q: What is your major?

A: I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Educational Studies at UC, but I also have a Masters Degree in Communication from the University of Akron and a Bachelors Degree in Speech Communication from Miami University.

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: I want to be a college professor. I want to teach and do research in media literacy and disabilities studies. I like to think of myself as a social scientist.

Q: What was your favorite subject growing up?

A: I just can’t pick one. In grade school I loved history and geography, but when I got to high school I really enjoyed Biology and English. I still love biology and science and I guess that’s why I am pursuing a career as an academic social scientist.

Q: Did you participate in science fairs growing up? If yes, what was your project?

A: I did participate in a science fair when I was in 8th grade. I won my school science fair and took home a superior rating at the district fair. I did my project on prolonging the oxidation rate of sliced apples. Tip: Use a little lemon juice to keep your apple slices from browning too quickly.

Q: Is your family involved with science and engineering professionally?

A: My father-in-law and brother-in-law are both engineers, but no one in my immediate family is involved with science and engineering professionally.

Q: When you’re not busy working on the science fair or going to school, what are you doing in your spare time?

A: I love being crafty. Scrap-booking is my favorite thing to do when I’m all caught up with my work. If I’m not scrap-booking I am probably reading (although I don’t get to read a lot of fun stuff, its mostly research right now).

Jennifer Trombley

Q: Where are you from?

A: Originally, I am from a little suburb of Detroit, Michigan, called Grosse Pointe Woods.  I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and Education at the University of Michigan, and I’m certified to teach K-12 public school music.

Q: What is your major?

A: I am pursuing my Master of Music degree at the College-Conservatory of Music in vocal performance and opera.

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: Someday, I would love to perform with opera houses and orchestras around the country, singing classical music. I also hope to be a voice teacher and professor of music at a college or university.

Q: What was your favorite subject growing up?

A:Besides music, I would have to say math or science. It’s hard to choose! My two favorite classes in high school were an anatomy and physiology class I took, and my AP Calculus class (my friends used to tease me because I would always get excited about going to Calculus!). In college I took some fascinating geology classes, too. If I weren’t going to be a music teacher, I think I would be a high school math teacher.

Q: Did you participate in science fairs growing up? If yes, what was your project?

A:Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to participate in any science fairs while I was growing up. But, I did help my mom (who is a science teacher) with many of her classroom experiments!

Q: Is your family involved with science and engineering professionally?

A:Yes! My mom is a 6th and 7th grade science teacher, and I think that’s where I got my love for science. Also, my dad is a pharmacist.

Q: When you’re not busy working on the science fair or going to school, what are you doing in your spare time?

A: I enjoy doing things outdoors like hiking and camping, and I absolutely love to garden. This past summer I had an organic vegetable garden with over 20 varieties of vegetables and herbs. They were delicious! Someday I would like to have my own small farm.