Lily Donaldson

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 at arttechnically.org | donall at rpi.edu | arttechnically.org 
Lily Donaldson

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 at arttechnically.org | donall at rpi.edu | arttechnically.org 
Visiting the U.S. Department of Education

Visiting the U.S. Department of Education

One of the Art Technically Science Bears and I got to stop by the U.S. Department of Education to catch up with our friend Andy and talk about some fun things happening in STEM and arts education.

I am Miss New York United States 2022

I am Miss New York United States 2022

I’m so excited to represent the great state of New York on the Miss United States stage in October. This school year I’m working full-time on my Ph.D. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Albany, NY, and helping to expand Art Technically’s STEM and Arts Education reach up the east coast!

Art Technically Science Suitcases 2021-2022 Recap

Art Technically Science Suitcases 2021-2022 Recap

“Science Suitcases” provides Title 1 and rural K-12 schools with ‘suitcases’ of STEM-themed books and educational materials to help students explore unique and interesting STEM topics while practicing their literacy skills. This school year, over 100 books were donated in total to elementary and middle schools in each of Tennessee’s 9 congressional districts.

I passed my Ph.D. Qualifying Exam

I passed my Ph.D. Qualifying Exam

Last week, I passed my Ph.D. qualifying exam which qualifies me to take my candidacy exam in the fall (which is the last step in the PhD before working towards the dissertation).

Miss Tennessee America 2022

Miss Tennessee America 2022

As Miss Franklin County 2022, I brought STEM and the Arts to over 10,000 people with Art Technically, fundraised over $15,000 for the Miss America organization, and served communities across Tennessee as a Miss America local titleholder.

Miss America Challenge: June

Miss America Challenge: June

Through participating in the Miss America organization, I’ve earned scholarships and practiced key life skills like public speaking and interviewing.

I graduated with my B.S. for the 4th time…

I graduated with my B.S. for the 4th time…

I went back to DC (again) to graduate with my Bachelor’s in Computer Science after a few years’ worth of pandemic commencement ceremonies, I graduated in May 2020 and this was the fourth ‘ceremony’ for my class.

Morning on the Mountain Interview on GCTV-6

Morning on the Mountain Interview on GCTV-6

Check out my interview from Morning on the Mountain! I got to speak about my STEM and Arts advocacy work with Art Technically and the upcoming Miss Tennessee Competition!

Franklin County Science Suitcases

Franklin County Science Suitcases

“Science Suitcases” provides Title 1 and rural K-12 schools with ‘suitcases’ of STEM-themed books and educational materials to help students explore unique and interesting STEM topics while practicing their literacy skills. These two math-themed Science Suitcases went to the Franklin County Public Library and Clark Memorial School in Winchester, Tennessee.

Miss Tennessee Competition Order | 2022

Miss Tennessee Competition Order | 2022

I’m contestant 34 for the Miss Tennessee competition next month! That means I’ll compete in personal interview on June 22; social impact pitch, onstage question, and red carpet on June 23rd; talent on June 24th; and finals on June 25th!

2021-2022 Student Signed Lab Coat

2021-2022 Student Signed Lab Coat

As I travel to K-12 schools throughout the school year, I bring a lab coat which I let students sign and try on! Here are students at Toone Elementary trying on my 2021-2022 lab coat