Recent Happenings
Micron CHIP Camp
We hosted 200 middle school students from across Northern VA at CHIP camp sponsored by Micron this summer!
I moved to Norfolk (and bought a house!)
Another big life update – I became a first time home owner!
I started working at a Planetarium
I’m off to the next big chapter 🚀 I started a new position as a Planetarium instructor in Virginia Beach!
Presenting at CSTA 2026
Greetings from the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) national conference 2026 in New Orleans!
Wrapping up my First Year Teaching
I’m reflecting on my first year teaching! I’m so thankful to SCPS for giving me this opportunity as a career switcher and to my co-workers, admin, district folks, and my students (all 400 of them) for making my first year so amazing and rewarding!
Computational Thinking and CS PD with Art Technically
Educators from across Hampton Roads participated in our Computational Thinking and Computer Science Professional Development summer session, learning about Computational Thinking and block coding.
Virginia Data Science Teacher Institute
I participated in a Computer Science and AI professional development cohort called CS-AIDE this semester.
I finished my PhD
I defended my PhD in March and participated in the hooding ceremony and commencement ceremonies at Rensselaer Polytechnic.
First Class Teacher of the Year
Grateful to my school for nominating me for First Class Teacher of the Year for the Stafford Schools Gold Star Gala.
V-Day Cards for Meals on Wheels
This year, we unveiled a new coding platform to help students learn to block code Valentine’s Day cards on code.arttechnically.org.
Space Exploration Educators Conference 2026
I presented at SEEC at Space Center Houston for the third year in a row!
COVA STEM Exploration Community Event and National STEM Day Teacher PD
With Art Technically, I hosted a table at the COVA STEM Exploration Event and taught a professional development session for educations on NASA resources in Newport News.
I became a Teacher!
Life update: I started a job as a middle school Computer Science teacher in Virginia!
New York SunWorks Youth Conference
I had so much fun talking to students at the the New York Sunworks Youth Conference about careers in CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) on behalf of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Art Technically.
2025 Travels to Milan, Montreal, and NYC
Some travels to Milan, Italy for my friend Connie’s wedding, Montreal, NYC, and Virginia Beach.
Our Students are Q&A’ing with Astronauts in Space
Richmond Hill High School in Queens, NY is uplinking to the International Space Station! As part of NASA’s In Flight Educational Downlink program, students at RHHS participated in STEM and STEAM workshops (including Art Technically’s Astrobotany workshop shown here) to prepare questions for astronauts.
New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show
I went to the New York Botanical Garden’s Spring 2025 Orchid Show with my friend JoBelle!
I spoke at American University’s New Eagles Day
I was the alumni keynote speaker at American University’s New Eagles Day 2025.
I taught PD at the Space Exploration Educators Conference at Space Center Houston
My former NASA educator partner and I presented educator sessions on Astrobotany and Sangmin’s NASA unit plan ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Science’ on studying extreme weather from space during the 2025 Space Exploration Educators Conference at Space Center Houston.
Teaching Workshops for Black Families Technology Awareness Day 2025
I taught workshops on Creative Coding and Astrobotany to K-12 students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Black Families Technology Awareness Day 2025.
Presenting at the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting
My NASA CCRI (Climate Change Research Initiative) teammate, Sangmin Pak, and I presented a poster at #AGU24 (American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting) in #WashingtonDC on “Advancing Digital Literacy in K-12 with Art Technically: Cloudy with a Chance of Science”!
St. Jude Memphis Marathon
I did the 10K race at the 2024 St. Jude Memphis Marathon weekend as part of Team Alyssa and Dude Rocks!
October/November 2024 Travels
Some travels to DC for a Federal Innovators workshop, LEGOLAND New York, St. Augustine for Thanksgiving, and Orlando to celebrate my 25th birthday with my twin sister.
Halloween and Election Day!
Some Halloween festivities (including with Big Brothers Big Sisters) and the November election day!
Coastal Virginia Community STEM Exploration Day
Coding Valentines Day cards and speaking to students about STEAM careers at the Coastal Virginia Community STEM Exploration Day!
Visiting Los Angeles – The Huntington + Catalina Island + Volunteering with Baby2Baby
I visited my friends in Los Angeles to volunteer with Baby2Baby which provides in-kind donations to mothers in need. We also visited the Huntington Gardens and Catalina Island!
NASA Climate Change Research Initiative Program Wrap-up and HQ Presentations
This past year has been so amazing, and I’m so proud of all of my teammates and all of the community outreach work my teacher partner (Sangmin Pak) and I have done together.
I Dyed My Hair (again)
I dyed my hair purple with Adrian’s help while I was on business in Brooklyn…purple courtesy of Lime Crime Genie.
DC Photoshoot with Andy Jones at the National Gallery of Art
Some photos with Andy Jones at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Macy’s Fashion Show
A fashion show to support America’s largest mentorship program!
I gave a Keynote at the AI Expo in Washington, DC
I gave a keynote at the AI Expo in Washington, DC this week on the importance of STEM education on national competitiveness.
Earth Day at NASA HQ and Dept. of Education
I guided members of the public through NASA HQ’s Earth Day activities and stopped by the Education Department to see my friend Andy Jones and discuss some upcoming partnerships.
2024 Total Eclipse Workshops with NASA and Art Technically
I spoke to over 1,200 students this week about the upcoming solar eclipse! I am so grateful that my research assistantship at NASA also supports community STEM engagement events like these.
NASA Internship Team
I got to meet up in person with my NASA Climate Change Research Initiative internship team at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City.
Albany St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2024
I walked with my friends at the West Sand Lake Fire Department in the Albany St. Patrick’s Day Parade again this year!
Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy
Luna Luna in Los Angeles: the world’s first art amusement park
Spring Breaking in Los Angeles
Spring breaking in Los Angeles with my friend Latoya Tucker.
I passed my PhD Candidacy Exam!
Some news from the lab – I passed my PhD candidacy exam last week! This is the last step to complete before the dissertation phase of the degree.
Letters to a PreScientist (STEM Pen Pals)
Letters to a PreScientist is an organization that pairs scientists up with middle schoolers through a pen pal program to broaden students awareness of STEM career paths.
Love Letters Project 2024
1,000 of these ‘Love Letters’ coded by students during STEAM workshops over the past year went to seniors in Rensselaer County, New York yesterday!
NASA Space Exploration Educators Conference
The Space Exploration Educators Conference is an amazing opportunity for educators to expand their knowledge of space science curriculum through teacher workshops, keynotes with NASA experts and astronauts, tours of NASA facilities, and networking with other educators.
Black Families Technology Awareness Day 2024
This was the 3rd year I’ve taught an Art Technically Astrobotany workshop at BFTAD. Students in the astrobotany workshop learned about plant, food, and space science and toured the plant lab and smart conference room at RPI’s Center for Lighting Enabled Systems and Applications (LESA)
American University Magazine Feature
Every year, I have a lab coat that I let all of my students sign. This year, I happened to also be Miss United States and brought it with me during my travels across the U.S. as I was promoting STEM education.
2023 STEM Lab Coat and Year Recap
Every year, I have a lab coat that I let all of my students sign. This year, I happened to also be Miss United States and brought it with me during my travels across the U.S. as I was promoting STEM education.
2023 Year Recap
I’ve had a jam packed 2023, but I’m excited for what 2024 holds.
Girl’s Night in Midtown Memphis
Girl’s Night in Midtown Memphis at the Memphian hotel.
Trying on an Army Bomb Suit (EOD)
bring your sister to work day…i don’t know how she does anything in this, it weighs 80 pounds and feels like having a bucket over your head
I started an internship at NASA
I started an internship at NASA’s Climate Change Research Initiative at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York.
A Brunette Introduction
I accidentally went blonde two years ago after a hair dye accident. This week I’m finally back to brunette.
A Blonde Farewell
Some last photoshoots with the blonde hair before something new…
I helped students talk to Astronauts on the ISS
Last week, Brighton Elementary School students asked questions to astronauts living on the International Space Station.
Visiting the Broad Museum in LA
I visited the new Keith Haring exhibit at the Broad art museum in Los Angelos with my friend Latoya Tucker.
NewsChannel13: Miss United States from RPI passes crown after whirlwind year
Article from WNYT NewsChannel13 about my year as Miss United States.
My Farewell as Miss United States
I’m so grateful for the year I’ve had and all of the wonderful Americans I’ve met in every corner of the country.
I visited all 50 states during my year as Miss United States
During my past year as the reigning Miss United States, I visited all 50 U.S. states! I held science storytimes at public libraries, schools, and science museums and attended parades and community events across the country! I’m so grateful for all of the people I’ve met and memories I’ve made during this journey.
Miss United States Competition Finals and Crowning
Finals and Crowning at the Miss United States 2023 competition.
Johnathan Kayne Custom Dress Reveal
Revealing my custom Johnathan Kayne opening number dress for Miss United States!
Miss United States Competition Day 3
Day Three of the Miss United States 2023 competition.
Miss United States Competition Day 2
Day Two of the Miss United States 2023 competition.
Miss United States Competition Day 1
Day One of the Miss United States 2023 competition.
Miss United States Program Book Reveal
Who’s ready to rock Memphis?
Science Storytime at Westerly Library in Rhode Island
My last science storytime as Miss United States at Westerly Library in Rhode Island.
Science Storytimes in Connecticut
I hosted Science Storytime and donated STEM books at the Otis Library and the East Hartford Public Library in Connecticut.
Science Storytime at the Electric City Aquarium
Today I visited the Electric City Aquarium in Scranton, Pennsylvania! I got to feed some sea creatures and read ‘Shark Lady’ during a children’s storytime.
Stargazing at the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center
I hosted STEM programming at the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center’s stargazing night in Rhode Island.
Fire Prevention with the West Sand Lake Fire Department
I celebrated Fire Prevention Week with my friends at the West Sand Lake Fire Department by visiting West Sand Lake Elementary to teach students about fire prevention.
Heather Strickland Photography in Hernando, Mississippi
I stopped by Heather Strickland Photography in Hernando, Mississippi! I’ve been working with Heather for years so I was excited to visit her studio before my reign is up next week.
A Golf Tournament Fundraiser in New Hampshire
A golf tournament fundraiser for Kurn Hattin Children’s Homes at the Keene Country Club in New Hampshire!
Crosstown Concourse in Memphis, Tennessee
A photoshoot with Hannah Claire in Memphis, Tennessee.
A Vintage Photoshoot with Heather Strickland
A vintage photoshoot with Heather Strickland in Memphis, Tennessee.
I hosted Bingo at the Children’s Minnesota Hospital
Star Studio (which broadcasts from Minnesota children’s hospitals) provides entertainment for kids across Children’s Minnesota! I got to help host a Bingo show with Sarah for Star Studio.
Powell’s Bookstore in Portland, Oregon
I visited some friends in Portland and stopped by Powell’s bookstore.