Microgrant Update: Empowering Girls in STEM with Minoh City’s Hack-A-Thon and STEM Library
Microgrant Recipient: Adriana Nazarko, ALT (Osaka, 2022-2025)
Interview By: Taylor R. Steed
JET Program participants are known both for their efforts in the classroom and local government offices throughout Japan, as well as promoting internationalization within their communities both in Japan and back home. USJETAA offers current US JETs microgrants, through funding provided by the U.S. Embassy Tokyo, to help expand their reach and support their creative initiatives which foster the US-Japan relationship. US JET Program participants enhance both English language learning and international relations through these unique and innovative projects they implement across Japan. This interview with current JET Adriana Nazarko (Osaka, 2022-205) delves into her project promoting sciences and advanced study in the US through a coding class completed entirely in English.
About the Project
Minoh City’s first Hack-A-Thon kicked off with a bang as middle school and high school girls across the city made their way to their first ever robotics and coding class. The participants were first given a brief introduction to how robots “talk” with computers before using the remainder of the day to build a robot and write the code that would allow it to complete certain tasks.
Volunteers helped the participants every step of the way, explaining how certain coding components worked and working together with the participants to problem-solve by posing thoughtful questions. At the end of the day, each girl was given a certificate of completion and a goodie-bag to help them continue exploring opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) including advanced study in the US.
The student attendees were clearly touched by the event and went on to say things like, “I wish I didn’t have to leave,” “I wish I could take the robot home with me,” or “When is the next Hack-A-Thon?” Volunteers, who consisted of ALTs, MAFGA (Minoh Association for Global Awareness) staff, interns, observers, and a STEM student from Osaka University, expressed how heartwarming it was to see the girls thrive in a space specifically designed to be inclusive to them. A local JCOM news journalist also attended the event, commenting that he was glad such an event was being held for students in Minoh.
The Minoh City Hack-A-Thon and STEM Library was created with the goal of introducing young women to robotics and STEM and encouraging them to pursue higher education in the US and careers in STEM.
We sat down with Adriana Nazarko, the mastermind behind the event, to learn more about this wonderful event.
Tell us about the inspiration behind the Hack-A-Thon
There is a big discrepancy between how young girls and young boys interact with STEM. From birth, there are numerous pathways that influence the way women think about their role in the world and what they can and can’t do. Girls are constantly told that they can’t do STEM or that STEM careers are better suited for men. Even at my school I see so many talented young women who say that they’re not interested in pursuing STEM because “it’s a guy’s thing to do.” But it’s simply not true. Research shows that it’s this learned behavior that is keeping women out of STEM careers.
This systemic issue was really the inspiration for the Hack-A-Thon. I wanted to create a counter-stream of information that introduced girls to STEM and made them see that it was something they could do.
Logistically, how were you able to put on this event?
To make the Hack-A-Thon happen, I partnered with MAFGA, an organization for foreign awareness and support. They were able to help me reach beyond my school and into the community, inviting girls from every middle school and high school in our area.
We plastered posters all around the city and we coordinated with the technology and science teachers at the schools so that they could also encourage their students to attend.
What was one of the biggest challenges of the Hack-A-Thon?
The biggest barrier we faced was definitely the inherent bias against women in STEM. Many girls didn’t sign up because they didn’t realize that girls were invited. Other girls weren’t able to attend because their parents were not okay with their daughters going to a STEM event. It really highlighted the exact issue we were trying to overcome.
Was this a one-time event?
No! We just finalized the schedule for our second Hack-A-Thon, which is being held later this year. We are opening registration to both new and returning members. The wonderful thing about this technology is that it lends itself to being used multiple times for multiple projects. While every Hack-A-Thon will include coding and robotics, the projects and challenges are different each time, allowing repeat participants to remain engaged and continue learning.
Thanks to the USJETAA microgrant initiative, we were able to purchase the STEM kits for the community, allowing MAFGA to continue promoting STEM initiatives even once I leave. When not in use for Hack-A-Thon events, teachers in the community will be able to borrow the STEM kits for use in their classrooms and clubs.
How does the Hack-A-Thon relate to your work as an English teacher and cultural ambassador?
If you want to pursue high-level STEM programs, you need English literacy. Even in Japan, many technology and engineering companies use English as their base company language. So, in addition to introducing the girls to STEM, the Hack-A-Thon also demonstrated the importance of their English language classes.
The STEM kit directions were a combination of English text and visuals, so the girls had to initially figure out their tasks using English, and then they were able to ask the volunteers clarifying questions in English or Japanese.
What was the most fulfilling part of this project?
The most fulfilling part of this project was seeing the girl’s confidence and passion grow in real time. When we walked into the event, I was worried because the girls were all sitting quietly, and they looked so nervous. I was very scared that they weren’t going to want to participate.
But then, when we started building the robots and engaging with the concepts and the coding, it was like a switch flipped. All of the sudden, the girls were excitedly talking and asking questions. They were experimenting with the code and solving problems. And when the event was over, the girls begged to stay longer.
We spent so much time planning this event and discussing the potential impacts it could have. But until the event happens, its all theoretical. You don’t know how it’s going to go. So, to then see the positive effect it had on their confidence in relation to STEM was just incredible. I could live on that feeling forever.
About the Authors
As the wife of a Niigata ALT from 2019-2023, Taylor Steed is an honorary member of the JET community. She has a decade of experience as a technical writer in the AEC and tech industries and is a proud supporter of STEMINISTS everywhere. You can find out more about Taylor on her LinkedIn page.
Adriana Nazarko is a current JET Program participant (Osaka, 2022-2025) and ALT at Minoh Daigo Junior High School. Her dream is to become a foreign service officer, and she intends to study international relations at a graduate school after JET. As a (hopeful) future diplomat, executing this Hack-A-Thon helped her realize just how important “on-the-ground” projects are to statecraft. She hopes to carry the experience and insights she learned through this project into her future career.
About the Microgrant Initiative for US JETs
The Microgrant Initiative for US JETs provides small grants (typically $200-$1,000) to current US JETs to fund projects that introduce American culture and/or the English language to students or to their local communities.
Microgrants are administered via USJETAA and funding is generously provided by the US Embassy-Tokyo.
To learn more about past Microgrant recipients, or how you can submit a proposal please visit our Microgrant Program page.
