Oct 3, 2022
Dr. Shelly Gruenig
This week Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Dr. Shelly Gruenig. The two talk about Dr. Shelly’s “kid-led” robotics program, the leadership and development skills that are being cultivated in these young minds, and how it is allowing the kids to feel purpose, affect change, be heard, and have competitive advantage.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How Dr. Gruenig’s career in robotics began with her own children’s future
- Why it’s so important that the kids are involved in all that the programs and business of ‘Be Greater Than Average’ offer
- How she provides a safe place for children to try, “fail forward,” and create opportunities and innovation from their trials
- What has surprised Dr. Shelly along the way, and continues to surprise her daily
- How these programs, especially the ‘Girls Into Tech’ program, change the narrative of young women, helps them to know what they are capable of, and opens up the world to them
- What outstanding things Shelly has seen young people do, and a look into her humble heart for the work she does
- What the future brings for ‘Girls Into Tech’
In 2005 Dr. Shelly Gruenig founded a community robotics program that 17 years later has served thousands of young people and their families throughout New Mexico. The world championship program provides STEM education to youth and builds pathways to a bright future in addition to supporting educators through professional development in robotics, 3D printing, drones and emerging technologies.
Gruenig has a special ability to help grow youth from learners into leaders through STEM experiences and community service. Together, with young leaders in her program and community volunteers, she has supported programs and learning in some of the most underserved communities in the nation.
She is a frequent guest on CBS and shares her passion for tech and the Land of Enchantment as host of the STEM Southwest Podcast.
In 2020, she received the New Mexico Tech Council Women in Technology award and was honored by the largest robotics competition in the world as an inductee into the World STEM Hall of Fame for her work in STEM with youth.
As a legacy project, in 2022,
she has launched Girls Into Tech, providing inspiration to young
women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to pursue their
life launch!
Website: https://www.r4creating.org/
https://begreaterthanaverage.org/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ReneMorozowich
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Begreaterthanaveragellc/