Event Diaries: STEM SPARKS
Igniting a Love for STEM at STEM Sparks 🚀
How AGI Students Explored Science, Technology, Engineering & Math in a Hands-On, Inspiring Way
This past Saturday, the brilliant young minds of Asian Girls Ignite lit up the Colorado School of Mines in Golden for STEM Sparks—a day packed with discovery, hands-on fun, and powerful connections! In collaboration with the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), our middle and high schoolers got to dive into the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), fueled by curiosity and inspired by four incredible storytellers who are shaping the future. From interactive activities to real-life insights, this experience was all about sparking new passions, building confidence, and proving that STEM is for everyone!
A Delicious Start: Fueling Up with Mukja Food Truck 🍱
How a Bibimbap Lunch Inspired Creativity & Community
We began the day with a delicious bibimbap lunch from Mukja Food Truck, a family-run food truck known for their Korean cheese dogs! Owner Julia Rivera, originally from Korea, wanted to bring her Korean roots to Denver, as her family’s love language is through food. In 2019, she and her daughter launched their food truck, serving up both traditional and creative Korean dishes to food lovers across the Mile High City ever since!
To get students' creativity flowing during lunch, we challenged them to think of an invention that solves a real-world problem—then bring it to life with play-doh! From life-saving medical innovations to everyday tools that make life easier, their ideas showcased the power of imagination and impact. Check out their amazing creations in the closing circle section below!
Meet the AANHPI STEM Trailblazers 🔬✨Four Professionals Sharing Their Journeys & Inspiring the Next Generation
We had an inspiring lineup of four AANHPI STEM storytellers, each sharing their journeys and wisdom with us.
Soo Loewen (she/her, Korean)
Principal Electrical Engineer
Born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Soo grew up in a culturally diverse and supportive community that nurtured her academic and personal growth. As a proud Korean, mother, spouse, sister, and furmom to her golden retriever, Mumford, she finds joy in family, travel, and the great outdoors—whether skiing in the winter or golfing in the summer.
She stays connected to her AANHPI identity by speaking Korean with her family, supporting Asian businesses, celebrating cultural holidays, and passing down her heritage to her son. In her downtime, she enjoys barre classes, puzzling, reading, caring for her plants, and exploring creative arts. She lives by the simple yet profound mantra: Do small things with great love.
Huyen Dinh (she/her, Chinese/Vietnamese)
Electrical Chemist
Born in Vietnam and raised between Vietnam and Canada, Huyen proudly embraces her Chinese-Vietnamese heritage. As a mother and scientist, she is deeply committed to her work at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where she serves as a senior scientist and group manager. Her research focuses on advancing water-splitting technologies to produce clean hydrogen, and she finds fulfillment in mentoring both her team and aspiring young scientists—especially women pursuing STEM careers.
Despite often being one of the few women in scientific and leadership spaces, she has built a strong support system and continues to uplift others. She celebrates her AANHPI identity at home, within her workplace—where she co-founded the Asian Employee Resource Group—and in her broader community. She lives by the belief: Set a high goal and pursue it with determination and hard work. You can achieve anything you put your mind to.
Linda Le (she/her, Vietnamese/Lao)
Software Engineer
Born in Denver, Colorado, and raised in Westminster, Arvada, and Thornton, Linda is a proud Vietnamese-Lao first-generation American and college graduate. Growing up, she often navigated the complexities of balancing her cultural heritage with the desire to fit in. While she found community in places like the Vietnamese Catholic church and Lao Buddhist temple, she also carried the weight of her family’s sacrifices, fueling her drive for success.
Now a software engineer, she enjoys gaming, watching K-dramas, and exploring new restaurants with her husband. Food remains her strongest connection to her heritage—whether through cooking at home or celebrating traditions like Tết. She lives by the words of Maya Lin: To fly, we have to have resistance.
Indiana Sjahputera
(she/her, Indonesian)
Solar Technology & Energy Consultant
As a first-generation Indonesian American, Indiana has navigated the complexities of identity, colorism, and societal expectations from an early age. Growing up in Columbia, she was surrounded by other women of color but later faced challenges connecting to her heritage in a predominantly white, rural area of Colorado. These experiences fueled her passion for empowering both women and Asians, recognizing the importance of their intersectionality.
She now serves as the West Regional Manager for the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), helping to support and empower Asian leaders in their fields. Outside of her work and volunteering, she enjoys playing with makeup and staying active at the gym. She believes in the power of small actions, living by the words: The smallest acts can leave the greatest impacts; it is our actions that define who we are.
Some may wonder, why is it important that students learn about STEM? Well, AANHPI women are significantly underrepresented in STEM— generally AANHPI individuals make up 13% of the STEM workforce, while AANHPI women are 46% less likely to major in STEM compared to their male counterparts. Despite the "model minority" myth, they face unique barriers that often go unnoticed, making it crucial to create spaces where they feel seen, supported, and empowered. When diverse voices are included, innovation thrives—which is why uplifting AANHPI youth in STEM isn’t just important, it’s essential!
Icebreaker Fun: Explain to an Alien 👽 A game to spark creativity & get ready for hands-on learning🔬
For our energizer, we played a fun and quirky game called "Explain to an Alien!" 🚀 In this game, one person gives clues to help their team guess a word—without using certain "forbidden" words—just as if they were explaining it to an alien! 👽 It was a great way to break the ice, spark creativity, and get everyone warmed up for our activities!
Hands-On STEM Activities: Bringing Learning to Life 🔍
How Students Engaged in Snap Circuits, Binary Code, UV Art & Renewable Energy
With our storytellers leading the way, we set up four stations, each featuring a storyteller and a group supported by a Mines student. Participants jumped into engaging conversations about their storyteller’s journey, asked thoughtful questions, and discovered new possibilities in STEM—all before diving into hands-on activities that brought their learning to life!
Snap Circuits with Soo Loewen
Binary Code Bracelets with Linda Le
UV Art with Indiana Sjahputera
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Education with Huyen Dinh
Students rotated through each activity with each storyteller, learning something new and having a blast at every station! Before they knew it, the day had flown by, and it was time to wrap up.
Closing Circle 🩵
We wrapped up our day with an inspiring closing circle, where students reflected on what they learned and what stood out the most. Many shared how comforting it was to hear that even our storytellers didn’t always know where their careers would take them, and how inspiring it was to see how their identities shaped their journeys.
We then transitioned into our gallery walk, where students got to admire the incredible models they had created. They thought about everyday inventions that have made a huge impact on women, communities, and even history—evolving into groundbreaking advancements in health, construction, fashion, design, and more! It was truly amazing to witness the creativity and brilliance blossoming in each of our students’ minds!
Examples: printing press, shoes, cardboard, congee, reproductive healthcare, MRI, helmet, telephone, spoon, books, a car exhaust filter, recycling, cat bed, and SO MANY MORE!
Reflections from Team AGI
At AGI, we believe every student deserves to see themselves as powerful, capable, and worthy of taking up space in any field they choose. STEM Sparks was more than just a day of exploring—it was a reminder that there’s no single path to success and that our identities are strengths, not obstacles.
Seeing our students light up as they connected with AANHPI professionals and students, explored new possibilities, and shared their own brilliant ideas reaffirmed why representation and community matter. We hope they walk away knowing they don’t have to have all the answers right now—what matters is their curiosity, courage, and belief in themselves. The world needs their voices, their perspectives, and their innovations, and we can’t wait to see where their journeys take them!
A huge thank you to our incredible storytellers and SASE volunteers for dedicating your time and energy to us today! Your presence was vital in making this day impactful, and your guidance provided our students with inspiration and support. We truly appreciate you!
About Asian Girls Ignite’s event diaries
At Asian Girls Ignite (AGI), we are on a mission to build a strong community of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) girls and women to celebrate our individual and collective power through shared stories. Our Event Diaries series was created to share meaningful moments with our community. We are incredibly grateful to have the support of our families and community members behind us. Sharing an inside look at our events is just one of the many ways we want to keep the AGI community informed of the impact of their support.
