Annabel Anyang Brings Her Passion for Empowerment and Outreach from Nigeria to Utah

Science is for everyone: Bridging Science and Community

“Why did you think you could become a scientist?” A middle school student innocently asked me this question last week at a science outreach program. It was a simple yet profound question that lingered with me for the rest of the day. Why did I think I could become a scientist? My answer was simple: I grew up around scientists and wanted to become one myself. Because of my personal experience, I understand what it’s like to see someone who looks like you in a place you aspire to be. That young student’s question reminded me why I am deeply passionate about science communication and STEM advocacy for community engagement. It underscores the importance of visibility and diversity in science, a testament to the power of representation because the notion that anyone can belong in the world of science is truly powerful.

My journey in science communication initially began as a way to build my confidence in talking about public health back when I was in training to become a veterinarian. Now, it has developed into a genuine passion for creating fun and engaging ways to inspire young students in science. Science communication and outreach have become significant aspects of my journey, particularly through grassroots community engagement initiatives. Before joining the STEM Ambassador Program (STEMAP) at the University of Utah, I was actively involved in science communication and STEM advocacy in my home country, Nigeria. My efforts focused on promoting STEM education, particularly among young girls in rural communities. As a team lead for Power A Girl (PAG) Africa, I spearheaded outreach events to empower rural high school girls to stay in school. I sought to demystify scientific concepts and inspire the next generation of female scientists. As a national Youth Corps member, I served as the deputy governor for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) community development group, leading a cohort of over 150 corps members on impactful SDG-oriented outreach programs in local communities and public schools in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.

Another major facet of my science communication and advocacy work, which holds strong ties to my training as a veterinarian, is science communication for public health education. I have executed programs to enlighten local communities about zoonotic diseases transmitted from animals to humans. My work in this aspect began in veterinary school as an outreach coordinator for the One Health club at the University of Abuja, Nigeria, executing zoonoses campaigns such as the World Rabies Day community awareness and school education projects. Post graduation, I became a One Health Lesson Leader for One Health Lessons, educating school children and adults about the interconnectedness between the health of humans, animals, and the environment (i.e., the One Health concept). These experiences have laid a strong foundation for my journey in science communication, STEM advocacy, and community engagement.

So, in the fall of 2023, when I came across the call for STEMAP applications, I knew it was a program that was right up my alley. The STEM Ambassador Program (STEMAP) is an innovative initiative to train scientists to bridge the gap between scientific research and the broader community. It aims to empower scientists to effectively communicate their work to diverse audiences, making science more accessible and relevant to everyday life. I was beginning my graduate school research journey, and science communication was even more important than ever. The STEMAP training was split into the six fundamental stages critical in science outreach: Immerse, Connect, Design, Engage, Evaluation, and Reflect. These stages covered every step in the process of executing a successful and impactful public engagement with science (PES) project, from identifying a focal group of interest in the community to connecting with the group, designing and executing an engaging, impactful outreach project, and evaluating and reflecting on the project’s impact.

As a science communication trainee in STEMAP, I collaborated with another ambassador in the program, Madison Parrot, A PhD student in the Molecular Pharmaceutics program. We had a shared interest in STEM education and women’s empowerment. We decided to develop a project to make science education and STEM

research opportunities more accessible to young girls. We sought to do so by leveraging the SheTech Explorer Day event. This was a STEM conference with a reach of about 3700 high school girls of grades 6 to 12 hosted by the Women’s Tech Council. SheTech Explorer Day was all about empowering and inspiring high school girls to explore the endless possibilities in science, technology, engineering, and math. The event was packed with a diverse crowd of young girls excited to interact with the attractive booths of various tech industry organizations such as Meta, Adobe, and Entrata, to name a few. It was incredible and really inspiring to witness the girls’ enthusiasm firsthand. The event featured hands-on workshops, seminar presentations from inspiring female mentors in the tech industry, and a TechChallenge for the girls to innovate and pitch ideas. Madison and I hosted a booth in the TechZone where we had the opportunity to engage with high schoolers and their teachers. We were able to share what it is like being young women in graduate school, increase awareness about the application of technology in biological research, and give insights into our research and the various STEM pathways and resources available at the University of Utah. Most exciting were the interactive activities and fun prizes we featured at our booth. We had a “Guess the Female Scientist” game, which sparked meaningful discussions about female representation in STEM.

Reflecting on this experience, I realize how fulfilling it was to meet all those young girls and engage them in talking about research and science opportunities. It was so much fun to highlight the power of women in STEM, especially during Women’s History Month, as our booth at the SheTech Explorer Day was a vivid celebration of female brilliance. And there was no better day to inspire the next generation of female scientists than on Pi Day!

Following my STEMAP training, I continued my science outreach efforts in Salt Lake City. I volunteered at a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fair in a middle school, developed materials for a VR headset workshop for kids, and participated in the Salt Lake Center for Science Education’s “Interview a Scientist” project, where I was able to engage 7th-grade students and answer their questions about my research and the pathway I took to graduate school.

I am incredibly thankful to STEMAP for providing me with the opportunity and tools to enhance my science communication and community engagement skills. The chance to participate in the STEMAP training has undoubtedly shaped my journey in science communication, STEM advocacy, and community engagement. Ultimately, my STEMAP experience has been transformative, allowing me to grow as a scientist, communicator, and STEM advocate. These are areas I am extremely passionate about and remain deeply committed to both during and beyond my graduate school journey. I am excited about future opportunities to continue this important work and to inspire others to see the value and wonder of science.

More and more, I see how important it is for the public to have face-to-face interactions with scientists. Science communication fosters trust in science, enhances understanding of scientific research, and increases an appreciation for scientists. Most importantly, these interactions build a personal connection to science, breaking stereotypes about what scientists look like and who can become scientists, which is essential for inspiring diversity in science. Let’s continue to make science accessible and exciting for all!

To prepare for the event, I focused on creating a presentation that was both educational and engaging. My goal was to simplify complex scientific concepts related to my research on fat tissue and obesity so that middle school students could easily grasp them. I included hand drawn diagrams to illustrate how fat tissue functions and the molecular changes that occur due to obesity. The session began with a brief introduction to my research, focusing on the molecular mechanisms regulating fat tissue and how fat expansion can lead to various health issues. I explained how understanding these mechanisms can help develop treatments for obesity-related diseases. The students were invited to ask questions in an “interview” style, allowing them to steer the conversation toward topics they found most interesting. 

Reflecting on the event, I believe the interactive elements and personal narrative were key to its success. The hands-on experiment helped demystify complex scientific concepts, making them accessible and exciting. Sharing my personal journey as a Black scientist also seemed to resonate with the students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, inspiring them to pursue their own scientific interests. However, I realized that future sessions could benefit from incorporating even more interactive components and perhaps a follow-up activity to reinforce the concepts discussed. Additionally, providing students with take-home materials or resources could help sustain their interest in the subject. 

I extend my sincere gratitude to the Salt Lake Center for Science Education Bryant Intermediate School for hosting this event and providing a platform to engage with young minds. Special thanks to the teachers and staff for their support and collaboration in making this outreach activity a success. Reflecting on my journey as a STEMAP Ambassador, I am reminded of the profound impact that outreach and representation can have. I look forward to continuing to inspire and support young scientists, particularly those from underrepresented communities, in their pursuit of knowledge and discovery. 

For more information about the outreach activities at the Salt Lake Center for Science Education Bryant Intermediate School, visit SLCSE Bryant.