Adrienne Starks is an Alabama Bright Light STREAMing from Birmingham
Dr. Adrienne Starks poses with her 3D, life-size image at the #IfThenSheCan exhibit at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. (contributed)
Along the way to attaining a Ph.D. and founding STREAM Innovations, Adrienne Starks noticed the absence of diversity in the math and science fields.
“I noticed there was not much representation from people who looked like me, not a lot of black women or even people from my home state,” said Starks, CEO of STREAM Innovations. “That motivated me to found STREAM Innovations and give back in a beneficial way. Being able to provide those opportunities for students is amazing.”
Starks is among 120 U.S. women being recognized for their contributions to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) with 3D, life-size images displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., during Women’s History Month in March. The exhibit is titled #IfThenSheCan.
STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and mathematics) Innovations aims “to be able to provide hands-on programming that allows students to have exposure, exploration and experiences around STREAM,” according to its mission.
Starks and her team at STREAM Innovations work with students from third through 12th grade. They pay special attention to underrepresented and underserved students in Birmingham and Jefferson County. The programs are open to all, especially with attention to social justice rising in recent years.
Dr. Adrienne Starks of STREAM Innovations is an Alabama Bright Light from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
“Social justice concerns and issues are a large part of what we do at STREAM Innovations,” she said. “Often, you don’t see a diversity of thought and representation in these STREAM-based fields. We see and experience how social justice issues impact the work we do every day.”
Programs include STREAM Saturdays and the popular STREAM Coding Camp.
“We offer many programs, including Check Out Stream, which is a partnership with local libraries,” Starks said. “Stream Saturdays is a partnership with local recreational and community centers. Our website lists all the activities and programs we offer our bright students.”
To achieve the results they strive for, Starks and her staff at STREAM Innovations depend on grants from corporations and organizations like the Alabama Power Foundation.
“We have had a phenomenal relationship with the Alabama Power Foundation,” she said. “They have provided us with funding for many of our programs like Coding Boot Camp and our overall programming.”
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, STREAM Innovations continues to offer students focused programs.
“The health pandemic affected us in the beginning, but we have learned and are doing what we need to do to overcome it and remain a strong supporter to our students,” Starks said.
Starks’ reason for doing what she does with STREAM Innovations is simple.
“I do what I do because as a kid, I always enjoyed science. It has always been a place where I was fascinated, where I was curious. I have had an opportunity to attend several different universities, and it’s been a part of what I do and how I identify myself as a scientist,” Starks said. “And now to spread science to younger folks is extremely rewarding.”
For more information, visit www.streaminnovations.org.
