This winter, the women of Environmental Management & Safety (EM&S) at DTE partnered with Detroit Public Schools to create and deliver a STEM Program at Carver Elementary Middle School on Detroit’s west side.
Over five weeks, women from across DTE met with 26 girls interested in STEM, pairing career conversations with hands-on learning designed to bring real-world jobs, and real role models, into focus.
The program blended career exploration, interactive STEM activities and mentorship, helping students connect classroom lessons to the kind of work happening across the company.
“Our goal is to help young women explore STEM careers and see the many different opportunities available within one company,” said Vivian Reid, supervisor in Environmental and organizer of this year’s program. “We want them to learn, have fun and walk away feeling confident that any path they choose is within reach.”
That confidence-building began with an introduction to the electrical system. During the first week of the program, volunteers Diane Martino, Wilhelmina Willingham, Lindsay Pearson and Hope Dubose introduced students to substations and electrical infrastructure, bringing in real test equipment to demonstrate how energy systems are monitored and maintained.
As the program continued, the focus shifted to clean energy. In week two, the Renewables team of Kathy Webber, Laura Eagan, Kristen LeForce, Jamie Stanislawski, Mici Orlandea and Lindsay Chapman guided students through solar kits, helping them understand how renewable resources can power homes and communities.
Week three brought science to the forefront through a hands-on chemistry experiment led by an engineering & science team of Alpana Bajpayee, April Stephens and Sarah Crysler. Students learned how carbon dioxide affects water chemistry, causing lots of excitement in the room as their experiment caused a chemical reaction.
“Volunteering in STEM is investing in the next generation,” said Alpana, who participated in the session. “It opens doors for young girls to see themselves in spaces that may be male-dominated.”
The following week emphasized preparedness and personal safety. Volunteers Ebone Maxwell, Kristin Remer, Mary Ann Tortola, Jennifer Groce and Carol Farrell worked with students to assemble first-aid kits while reinforcing how safety knowledge can make a difference at home and in their communities.
The program concludes with a special session featuring Rebel Nell, a Detroit-based social enterprise that empowers women through creativity and entrepreneurship. During the session, students will take part in a confidence-building mini mural activity, describing themselves and adding positive words to one another’s artwork before transforming the designs into keepsakes they can take home.
Christy Clark, director of Environmental Sustainability, was thrilled with this year’s program. “I want to thank the Women of EM&S for their leadership and the women at DTE who stepped up and inspired a classroom of young girls, showing them anything is possible when you have a love for science.”
From substations to solar energy, chemistry to creativity, the women of EM&S reinforced that careers in STEM are wide open, and that representation matters.
“I especially want young girls to see a woman like them thriving in science and math,” said Stephens, one of the program volunteers. “I enjoy being that role model.”
Volunteers who participated include:
- Vivian Reid – supervisor, Environmental
- Christy Clark – director, Environmental Sustainability
- Diane Martino – senior business specialist, Environmental Sustainability
- Mici Orlandea – principal engineer, Environmental
- Kristen LeForce – senior engineer, Environmental
- Jamie Stanislawski – staff engineer, Environmental
- Ebone Maxwell – senior safety and health specialist, Corporate Safety
- Kristin Remer – senior safety and health specialist, Corporate Safety
- Mary Ann Tortola – manager, Safety Operations
- Jennifer Groce – senior safety and health specialist, Corporate Safety
- Carol Farrell – senior safety and health specialist, Corporate Safety
- Wilhelmina Willingham – supervisor, Field Substation Operations
- Lindsay Pearson – general supervisor, Substation Operations
- Hope Dubose – supervisor, Field Substation Operations
- Kathy Webber – principal development project manager, Renewable
- Laura Eagan – senior development project manager, Renewable
- Lindsay Chapman – senior engineer, Environmental
- Alpana Bajpayee – supervisor, Engineering
- April Stephens – supervisor, Lab Operations
- Sarah Crysler – manager, Field and Lab Operations