Lily K. Donaldson
I’m an advocate for STEM and Arts Education working to bridge educational gaps, especially among disadvantaged K-12 students. I’m also a driven and multidisciplinary Ph.D. student researching software and sensor systems for agricultural technology to create more resilient, equitable, and innovative food systems. As a technologist and educator that’s worked with people from all walks of life (from kindergartners in rural New Mexico to NASA scientists in New York City), I’ve developed excellent communication skills, technical aptitude, and the ability to empathetically support and empower people from highly diverse backgrounds in science and technology, and beyond.
Lily K. Donaldson
I’m an advocate for STEM and Arts Education working to bridge educational gaps, especially among disadvantaged K-12 students. I’m also a driven and multidisciplinary Ph.D. student researching software and sensor systems for agricultural technology to create more resilient, equitable, and innovative food systems. As a technologist and educator that’s worked with people from all walks of life (from kindergartners in rural New Mexico to NASA scientists in New York City), I’ve developed excellent communication skills, technical aptitude, and the ability to empathetically support and empower people from highly diverse backgrounds in science and technology, and beyond.
The 21st Century Greenhouse
Use the web tool below to see the different components of a 21st-century greenhouse, including advanced sensors, a data analytics dashboard, LED grow lights, and how the greenhouse fits into the community. Read the full whitepaper at the button at the bottom of the web tool.
Circle, circle, dot, dot, I got my second Covid shot!
Very excited that COVID-19 vaccines are out! Here’s to a return to some form of normalcy…
Forest Photography with Andrew Jones in Maryland
Springtime forest photography with Andrew Jones in Maryland to celebrate Earth Day 2021.
I made an LED Ice Cream Cone Display
What do compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and soft serve have in common? Their iconic swirls! This project combines these iconic swirls together to create a light-up, color-changing ice cream cone.
Vegan Easter Treats
Grass bunny Oreo truffles, Blueberry muffin tops, Chocolate covered strawberries, and Mud pudding with strawberry carrots!
Miss Tennessee USA 2021
Lily represented Shelby County at the Miss Tennessee USA 2021 pageant in April.
Vegan Banana Cream Pie for Pi Day
Make this vegan Banana Cream Pie with a graham cracker pi design for Pi Day!
Miss Shelby County USA 2021
Lily represented Shelby County at the Miss Tennessee USA 2021 pageant in March.
I made an LED Light-Up Gown for the Holidays
I made a gown that lights up for the Holidays using LED fairy string lights!
First Semester of my M.S. in Lighting Program at RPI
I’m one semester into my Master of Science in Lighting program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Dynamic Bridge Design for Troy, NY
Bridge lighting design for the Hoosick street bridge in Troy, New York. This web tool allows you to turn on and off layers of light in the design and calculate the estimated cost using chosen layers.
I Spy – Bourne Identity Photoshoot with Andy Jones
Some spy-esque and Jason Bourne inspired photos by Andrew Jones in Washington, DC.
World Space Week 2020 with Andy Jones
Happy World Space Week from Andy Jones and me at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and more!
Indiana Jones Inspired Photoshoot with Andy Jones
Some adventurous Indiana Jones inspired photography by Andrew Jones in Washington, DC.
An Alcohol-Free 21st (pandemic) Birthday
As you may know, I am straight-edge/sober, so I celebrated my 21st birthday alcohol-free! (Except for some obligatory wine poached pears with the alcohol cooked out 🙂
Feds Feed Families 2020
I collected 130 pounds of food donations for American University’s food pantry “The Market” which provides food to students in need!
I graduated!
I (technically?) graduated this month. No ceremony because of the pandemic, but I did get my B.S. diploma in the mail…
American University Cheerleading 2019-2020
American University cheerleading season 2019-2020 (cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Children’s Miracle Network Week 2020
Did you know that 1 in 10 children in North America receives treatment at a CMN hospital every year? Support the CMN COVID-19 Impact fund!
NASA Space Grant 30th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrating NASA Space Grant’s 30th Anniversary with Space Grant Consortiums from all 50 states gathered in Washington, DC.
Department of Energy Lighting R&D Conference 2020
Lily was invited to present a poster on the SpectraSearch project at the 2020 DOE Lighting R&D Workshop in San Diego January 28–30, 2020.
Miss District of Columbia USA 2020
Lily competed at the Miss District of Columbia USA 2020 competition as Miss Embassy Row and placed Top 12.
Miss Embassy Row 2020
Lily represented the Embassy Row community of Washington, DC at the Miss District of Columbia USA 2020 pageant.
NASA Cereal Box Spectrometers
Visiting Bon Lin Elementary for a NASA educational workshop making Cereal Box Spectrometers and talking about the NASA Space Grant Consortium.