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.
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Dance Workshops
For St. Patrick’s Day this year, I taught Irish Dance and arts and crafts to students across Tipton County including at Brighton Elementary School and the Atoka Community Center.
Workshops for Black Families Technology Awareness Day
This year, Art Technically hosted two workshops for the 23rd annual Black Families Technology Awareness Day at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: an Astrobotany workshop and a Young Black Scientists and Engineers panel.
Valentine’s Day Cards for Seniors – Love Letters 2022
Over 2,000 Valentine’s Day cards #MadeWithCode by students went to home-bound and disadvantaged seniors for Valentine’s Day! Each card was created in a Creative Coding workshop for K-12 students held by Art Technically.
Meet Miss Franklin County in the Herald Chronicle
You can read about me being crowned Miss Franklin County and my journey to Miss Tennessee in this lifestyle article from the Herald Chronicle newspaper in Franklin County.
Collecting Comments for Tennessee’s Department of Education
As a School Funding Ambassador for Tennessee’s Department of Education, I’m collecting comments from parents, educators, and community members on Tennessee education funding.
Congrats Miss Forest Festival!
I went to finals night for the 100th Anniversary Miss America competition to support my friends Andolyn Medina (Miss District of Columbia) and Tally Bevis (Miss Tennessee).
2021 Recap
This year I graduated with a Master of Science in Lighting, competed at Miss United States and placed 2nd runner-up, started a Ph.D., promoted STEM and Arts Education across Tennessee, and more.
Scientist and Artist Barbies for Children’s Hospitals
This year for the holidays, I curated and donated 30 diverse scientist and artist themed Barbie dolls to the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville and the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis.
Celebrating the Holiday Season with Miss Franklin County
Spreading some holiday cheer at the Cowan Christmas Parade and Market in Franklin County, Tennessee.
I went to the 100th Anniversary Miss America Competition
I went to finals night for the 100th Anniversary Miss America competition to support my friends Andolyn Medina (Miss District of Columbia) and Tally Bevis (Miss Tennessee).
Rural STEM Education Focus Group
I represented Art Technically at the Rural STEM Education focus group meeting hosted by the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network last night!
Happy National STEM and STEAM Day
Happy National STEM and STEAM Day from Brighton Elementary School in Tipton County, Tennessee! We made simple circuit Jitterbugs and decorated robot sticker sheets.
I am Miss Franklin County 2022
So excited to announce that I was crowned Miss Franklin County last night! I’m on my way to Miss Tennessee and Miss America!
Science Book Donations for Tennessee Schools 2021
“Science Suitcases” provides K-12 schools with ‘suitcases’ of STEM-themed books, games, and educational materials.
I dressed up as a Moth for Halloween at the Lighting Lab I work at
I dressed up as a moth for Halloween at the lighting lab I work at.
Tennessee STEAM Festival 2021
Happy Fifth Annual Tennessee STEAM Festival! I had so much fun at the Memphis Museum of Science and History at the Pink Palace teaching the Art Technically Love Letters coding workshop.
Miss United States 2021
Miss United States 2021 10OCTOBER, 2021Modeling Miss United States Volunteer WorkLily represented Tennessee in the Miss United States 2021 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada in October 2021 and placed 2nd runner-up.
22nd Birthday at the Keith Haring Exhibit in Cooperstown
Thanks to my friend Kate for letting me drag her to the Keith Haring exhibit at the Fenimore. As many of you know, I’m obsessed with Keith Haring, so getting to take some polaroids with his work was an amazing birthday present.
Miss Memphis United States 2021
Lily represented Memphis in the Miss Tennessee United States 2021 competition, a preliminary to Miss United States.
Summer in DC Photos with Andy Jones
Rooftop summertime photography in Washington, DC with Andrew Jones.
Astrobotany Workshop at Atoka Space Camp
I had so much fun with Atoka Parks and Rec’s Space Camp this past week! We worked through Art Technically‘s astrobotany workshop learning about growing plants in space!
An In-Person Graduation from American University
I went back to American University one year after graduation for an in-person graduation ceremony.
Starting a PhD Program
I was admitted into the Ph.D. program in Built Ecologies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and will start in August as a Ph.D. student at the Center for Lighting Enabled Systems and Applications.
I graduated (again)!
Another year, another pandemic graduation… I graduated with a Master of Science in Lighting from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute this month!