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.
$10,000 Raised for Children’s STEM and Arts Education
This month, you helped me raise $10,000 for children’s science and arts education through my nonprofit Art Technically! Thank you so much for taking time to take surveys through HundredX Causes. I can’t wait to use these funds for more Science Bears, scientist and artist Barbies and toys, STEM/STEAM books, and workshop materials for disadvantaged K-12 students!
New Science Bear Colors
Meet a Science Bear from our new color collection! “Science Bears” is a special Art Technically project that creates scientist-themed teddy bears for children in need such as children at Child Advocacy Centers and family shelters.
Dinosaur Activity Kits for the Albany Children’s Hospital
These Art Technically dinosaur activity kits went to the Bernard and Millie Duker Children’s Hospital this morning! Each kit had a dinosaur plushie, book, coloring book, and stickers.
Miss United States Interview
Yesterday, I interviewed for my dream job: Miss United States. We talked about my work with Art Technically, bringing STEM and Arts Education to disadvantaged K-12 students through book and toy donations and arts and sciences workshops!
$1,900 Raised for St. Jude – Rugged Maniac New England
Yesterday I volunteered with St. Jude Children’s Hospital collecting donations at the Rugged Maniac Obstacle Run in Massachusetts! I collected $1,900 worth of donations in my bucket from the hundreds of participating runners.
2021-2022 Art Technically Lab Coat
Every year, I keep a lab coat that my students sign every time I visit a school with Art Technically – it’s fun for the kids to get to add their names and write messages or draw pictures, and it serves as a keepsake for me to remember what is most important to our mission: the kids that we serve!
Miss New York – NYC
Miss New York United States 2022 – Times Square, NYC.
Official Miss United States Personality Page
My official personality page for the Miss United States program book! Photo by Heather Strickland, page design by Pageant Designs.
NYC Birthday Trip – Come From Away
I got to go see Come From Away with my mom for my 23rd birthday! Featuring my favorite Keith Haring by Alice & Olivia skirt.
Official Miss United States Headshot by Heather Strickland
This is my official headshot for the 2022 Miss United States pageant in October. Photo by Heather Strickland Photography.
Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Photoshoot with Doves
Audrey Hepburn inspired photoshoot with Andy Jones using a real dove, just like “Funny Face”!
Marilyn Monroe Potato Sack Photoshoot with Andy Jones
“In 1951, a journalist criticized Marilyn Monroe for a ‘provocative’ dress she wore, calling her “cheap and vulgar* and saying that she’d have looked better wearing a potato sack. So, she did a photoshoot wearing a potato sack as a response.”
Interviewing about Art Technically with Action News Channel 5 Memphis
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.
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’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!
Country Sunshine Photos with Andy Jones
Country Sunshine photoshoot with Andy Jones in Maryland.
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
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
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 Scientists Q&A Panel with Miss Michigan and Local Titleholders
Thank you to everyone who attended Art Technically’s Miss Scientists Q&A panel, especially our amazing Miss America panelists: Miss Michigan, Vivian Zhong, Miss Montgomery County, Shannon Cattie, and Miss Door County, Chloe Staudenmeier!
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 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.
Barbie Dolls for the Southern Tennessee Medical Center’s ER
I delivered Scientist and Artist Barbie dolls to the Southern Tennessee Medical Center’s ER! I hope these toy donations from Art Technically will brighten some kids’ days!
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!