718-634-4000

Miss USA Visits PS 183



Share this:

Miss USA Kára McCullough recently visited the students at PS/MS 183. Photos courtesy of the Miss Universe Organization/Emily Panasci

Miss USA Kára McCullough spoke to the students of PS/MS 183 about Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics STEM) about how she fell in love with science.

Before winning the Miss USA pageant on May 14 in Las Vegas, McCullough was a technical review scientist with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

The Miss USA visit came about after the NYC School Chancellor Carmen Fariña’s recent tour of PS/MS 183 with School Principal Jessica Romero.

“Chancellor Fariña took an interest in the successful projects initiated by Principal Romero and the high achievement levels of the students here,” said Stephen S. Jackson, Principal Consultant to PS/MS 183 from the Center For Educational Innovation (CEI) an ex-Principal himself and a graduate of PS/MS 183.

As the Brand Ambassador for the Miss USA/Miss Universe organization, whose focus is STEM enrichment in children, especially young girls, McCullough visited PS/MS 183 as part of a Department of Education week-long tour of five schools in Queens and Brooklyn to discuss STEM careers for minority female students with the support of their male peers.

McCullough founded and self-funds a community outreach program called “Science Exploration for Kids (SE4K) to cultivate a passion for STEM in children through interactive activities.

The first activity she used to release the children’s creativity involved a piece of notebook paper folded in half, a pencil and their imaginations.

“Close your eyes and answer the questions; what does a scientist look like? What does a scientist study? What does a scientist wear?” she instructed. “There is no right or wrong answers. On the left side of your paper draw a picture of the scientist.”

Kára McCullough.

Then McCullough asked how many drew a picture of a male scientist and how many drew a female scientist.

A show of hands revealed that many of the students drew a picture of a male scientist in a white lab coat.

“Why can’t the scientist be a girl?” said a young student named Brianna.

“Yes. Why can’t the scientist be a girl?” agreed McCullough.

“I love science. I find joy in science. Science is fun and cool. You can see cool things happen with science,” Kára encouraged the students.

McCullough also gave the students an at-home assignment.

“On the other half of your folded notepaper, ask your parent’s permission to look up a female scientist on the computer and write two sentences of what she did,” said McCullough.  “Next write three goals you want to achieve in the next three months. Find something you are passionate about, study it, love it, become sure of yourself. Achievement never stops.”

McCullough will be representing the USA at the 66th Miss Universe Competition taking place in Las Vegas on Nov. 26.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *