Amazing Insights from the Girls in Gear: The Next Gen STEAM Summit

What an amazing day it was at the Girls in Gear: The Next Gen STEAM Summit in Atlanta! I had the absolute pleasure of spending the day with so many bright and curious young women, all eager to explore the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The event was hosted by Women In Technology (WIT) and Cisco, and let me tell you, it was all about giving these young women a taste of what their futures could look like in tech. I gotta say, that this summit had this special vibe that just clicked with everyone there.

If there’s one thing you’ll learn about me, I’m all about making AI (artificial intelligence) fun and accessible. I’m passionate about showing people—especially young women—how exciting this field is and why they should totally be a part of it. And let me tell you, from the moment I walked into the Girls in Gear: The Next Gen STEAM Summit, I could feel the energy in the room. These students were ready to learn, and I was ready to share!

Making Technology Fun and Easy

Right from the start, I wanted to do more than just talk about AI—I wanted to make it come alive. Technology shouldn’t feel like some far-off concept that only a select few can grasp. It’s something you can dive into, experiment with, and actually see the results. So, instead of a traditional lecture, I shared my journey and showed these students they absolutely belonged in this space. I wanted them to feel like they could take on the tech world, and they quickly got on board! Girls in Gear: The Next Gen STEAM Summit amplified this idea by creating an engaging environment where learning was fun and impactful.

Let’s face it: when you’re having fun, especially at events like this, learning becomes second nature. So, I handed out some tablets (thank you, Cisco!), and we got hands-on with AI-generated art. Watching their faces light up as they saw their creative ideas become digital masterpieces with AI was priceless. For many of these students, it was their first time interacting with AI in such a creative way, and they were blown away by how simple and fun it was.

Think About It: AI + Creativity = Magic

This activity wasn’t just about making cool art—it was about showing how technology and creativity can mix in really amazing ways. The students learned that AI isn’t just for coding and solving complex problems. It’s a tool for innovating, creating, and thinking outside the box. Imagine taking something like technology and making it your creative playground—that’s what I wanted these girls to see.

You could literally see their ideas come to life on the screen and the best part? They realized how simple and fun AI could be when you just dive in and experiment. That’s always the goal: to make technology real and approachable, not some far-off, complicated thing. Events like Girls in Gear: The Next Gen STEAM Summit are key to making this a reality for young women.

Solving Real Problems with AI

But here’s the thing, I didn’t stop with art. We went beyond that to talk about real-world applications of AI. I introduced them to this super cool Google user experience program where they got to train an AI system to recognize their doodles. Yup, their doodles! They were actually helping improve AI technology while having fun. And the excitement in the room was electric!

What I really wanted them to take away was that their ideas and contributions matter. I made sure they understood that the kind of work they were doing wasn’t that different from what tech professionals do daily. I wanted them to walk away feeling empowered, knowing they could shape the future of technology—not just use it.

Let’s Talk About Careers in AI

Now, I couldn’t leave without opening their eyes to the career possibilities in AI. I didn’t just want to show them how fun AI could be—I wanted to show them that they can build a career in this field. And no, it’s not just about programming! We talked about everything from AI consulting to design, development, and even problem-solving. There are so many paths, and I broke down what each one looks like.

I wanted these young women to see themselves in the field. To understand that it’s not some distant dream. The tech world needs creative thinkers, problem solvers, and passionate learners. The Girls in Gear: The Next Gen STEAM Summit truly showed them that the future in tech is accessible and filled with opportunities. By the end of the day, during the summit, I could see the wheels turning in their heads—they were already starting to imagine themselves as future tech leaders.

Keeping It Fun with Quizzes and Prizes

Oh, and let’s not forget the fun part—because what’s a session without a little competition? We wrapped up the day with a quiz about AI tools and their uses, and the students were all in. They jumped in with answers and shared their thoughts, and I even threw in some Echo Dots as prizes to keep the energy high.

What was even more fun was hearing the students talk about how they might use AI tools like Alexa to help them at school or around the house. It was just so cool to see them connecting the dots between technology and their daily lives. And, of course, I made sure to keep things light and conversational—after all, learning should always be fun!

Real Talk: A Space for Questions

As the session wrapped up, I made sure there was time for a Q&A. And let me tell you, the questions were flying! These girls had some amazing questions, from how AI can help the environment to how they can start learning AI skills on their own. I made sure to break everything down into simple, actionable steps—because the goal was to leave them feeling like AI is something they can totally learn and use.

I didn’t want to just talk to them—I wanted to have a real conversation where they felt heard and understood. And that’s exactly what happened. Girls in Gear: The Next Gen STEAM Summit provided the perfect platform for these conversations, helping these young women see the vast potential ahead of them.

A Full Day of Learning, Connection, and Inspiration

The day didn’t stop with my session—there was so much more! The summit was packed with coding workshops, cyber safety lessons, and mentorship sessions. It wasn’t just about learning tech skills—it was about building connections, gaining confidence, and seeing what’s possible.