Celebrating Women and Girls in Science Day

Both students’ journeys into STEM were shaped by personal experiences and the encouragement of people around them. For Ashlynn, it all started at home. With a family background in IT, she grew up surrounded by conversations about technology and problem-solving. “I realized that I enjoy challenges and the satisfaction of finding innovative solutions,” she said. That spark led her to dive into STEM courses and extracurriculars like Astronomy, Engineering, and the US Cyber Team.

Grace’s love for STEM began with her passion for math. “Ever since I was little, I’ve loved math classes because every question I had came with a clear solution,” she explained. Her Upper School advisor, US Math/Science Teacher Damian Baraty, has played a significant role in nurturing her natural aptitude for math by introducing her to cybersecurity and encouraging her to get involved in competitions and challenges.

As advisor to the Cyber Team and member of the Upper School faculty, Baraty sees great potential in both students. “Grace and Ashlynn are both extremely well-organized and intelligent young women who seek out interesting opportunities and pursue them,” he said. “It has been great to see them try something new and find such success.”

Ashlynn has faced moments of doubt and underestimation as a female student in STEM fields that are still largely male-dominated. She recalled a summer STEM exercise at the United States Naval Academy where her male peers assumed she wouldn’t know how to contribute. When they overlooked a crucial component in their project, Ashlynn stepped in to point it out, earning their respect and equal participation.

“Instead of letting their assumptions discourage me, I used them as motivation to speak up and prove my capabilities,” she said.

Grace appreciates the supportive environment at Severn School. “Severn has created an environment where female students are encouraged to take advanced STEM classes, lead projects, and participate in competitive teams without feeling out of place,” she said. That encouragement has helped build her confidence and deepen her interest in STEM.

Both students are quick to praise Severn School’s STEM courses for their hands-on learning and real-world applications. Ashlynn loves how classes like Astronomy and Engineering have allowed her to explore both theoretical concepts and practical projects. She’s also found a passion for cybersecurity through her work with the Cyber Team.

Grace, meanwhile, has been drawn to the challenges and creativity of cybersecurity and the hands-on experiments in chemistry. “Both classes have made me even more excited to continue learning and exploring STEM in the future,” she said. Grace is also gaining coding experience and will participate in a Lockheed Martin-sponsored competition called Code Quest later this month.

Looking ahead, both Ashlynn and Grace are enthusiastic about where their STEM journeys might lead. Ashlynn envisions a future that challenges her intellectually, whether at the U.S. Naval Academy or in neuroscience, where she hopes to analyze data and develop technologies to better understand brain function. Grace is eager to dive deeper into cybersecurity and other technical fields, using her problem-solving and creative skills to tackle real-world challenges.

Ashlynn and Grace’s stories demonstrate the value of women’s contributions to the STEM fields in the classroom and the workplace. Their determination, curiosity, and passion for learning are inspiring, and they’re proof that the future of science, technology, engineering, and math is brighter—and more inclusive—than ever.