PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Laura Velázquez, STEM Engagement Coordinator at New York Hall of Science
1:31:40
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3 min
Laura Velázquez, STEM Engagement Coordinator at the New York Hall of Science, shared her journey in STEM education and the impact of programs like the SCI Network on her career. She highlighted the importance of youth engagement programs in STEM and expressed concerns about budget cuts affecting these vital services.
- Velázquez's career path included roles at various science institutions, starting as a discovery guide at the New York Aquarium
- She emphasized the role of the SCI Network in providing career opportunities and growth
- Current work involves planning STEM-focused events and workshops for NYC high school and college students
- Expressed concern about budget cuts limiting the reach and quality of transformative experiences for youth
Laura Velázquez
1:31:40
Alright.
1:31:41
Awesome.
1:31:43
Good morning, chairperson Rivera, and members of the city council culture committee.
1:31:47
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story today.
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My name is Laura Velasquez, and I am the STEM engagement coordinator at the New York Hall of Science.
1:31:56
Before this, I served as the youth engagement assistant coordinator at the Queen Zoo.
1:32:00
Prior to that, I I held roles as visitor engagement associate at Prospect Park Zoo, visitor experience associate at the New York Hall of Science and conservation educator at Alipond Environmental Center.
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Three titles I proudly balanced simultaneously as I pursued my passion for STEM education.
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But it all began as a discovery guide at the New York Aquarium, an opportunity that would go on to shape the rest of my life.
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I first discovered the discovery guide volunteer program as a teen through WCS's job internship and volunteering expo, also known as Jive, an event that sparked my passion for STEM education.
1:32:37
At the time, Jive was a small event on the Coney Island Boardwalk.
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Now in its 9th year, it has grown into a large scale event at the Bronx Zoo reaching hundreds of NYC youth with workshops, resources, and resume help.
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During my time in youth development at WCS, I had the privilege of helping facilitate this event, inspiring the next generation, a truly full circle moment in my career.
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From that from that point on, I sought out every opportunity that would allow me to continue down this path.
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I've had the privilege of working at incredible institutions with each role building upon the last and propelling me further in my career.
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I owe much of this growth to the opportunities provided by the SCI network, opportunities I might never have accessed otherwise.
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As STEM engagement coordinator at NiSci's Freedman Center, I plan and execute STEM focused events and professional development workshops for NYC high school and college aged youth, covering topics like climate change and sustainability to career expos and college essay boot camps.
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They provide vital opportunities for the community and open doors for 100 of students each year.
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Helping young people explore the inspiring world of STEM has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
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The work we do is essential, yet we face increasing budget cuts year after year.
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These cuts limit our ability to expand our reach and provide important services to the communities that need them the most.
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While we've done our best to maximize the resources we have, I'm concerned that as funding for cornerstone institutions continues to decline, the quality of these transformative experiences may also be at risk.
1:34:14
Despite these challenges, I remain deeply committed to the mission of NiSCI, the Freedman Center, and the SCI Network as youth face growing challenges and the burden of inheriting systems that often fail to prioritize their needs, these programs are more important than ever.
1:34:31
Youth deserve the same opportunities that shaped my journey and I am determined to ensure they have access to them.
1:34:38
Thank you for the opportunity to continue doing so.