Emily Bayuk is an electrical engineering student and self-published author passionate about STEM education!
During high school, Emily noticed that the gender gap in STEM became much more obvious. It was during her senior year that Emily took the lessons she was learning in AP physics and started to create a book introducing middle-schoolers to STEM. Emily illustrated and wrote “The Fundamentals of Circuits Made Easy” to make STEM more exciting and easy to understand, especially for younger girls who may not have the support to pursue these fields. Currently, Emily is working on expanding her “Inside Electronics” series that will be self-published through Amazon!
How did you get into STEM?
I loved problem solving in my science and math classes while I was an elementary, middle, and high school student.
Who inspires you in STEM?
I’m inspired by accounts like @womengineered that share the stories of women in STEM!
How did you decide to go into electrical engineering?
My high school physics teacher knew how much I enjoyed the circuit unit and suggested I look into electrical engineering.
What was it like to create The Fundamentals of Circuits and what inspired you? How did you get started with The STEM Diaries?
My senior year of high school I merged my two interests, bullet journaling and circuits, to create a hand-written and illustrated circuit book, a fun introduction to spark girls’ excitement in STEM through creativity and imagination. Two years later, I published it as The Fundamentals of Circuits Made Easy. I loved composing this book, so I decided to grow it into a series The STEM Diaries, which will come out Winter 2021 and include the re-released first book, as well as a new, second book.
What types of courses do electrical engineers take? What types of projects do you get to work on?
EEs take core electrical engineering classes (e.g. circuit analysis, systems & signals, electronics), math courses (e.g. calculus, linear algebra), and physics. For a class’s final project, I built and programmed a microwave, which was really cool!
What advice do you have for other engineering undergrads?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or meet with professor’s during their office hours! Class material builds on previous concepts, so it’s helpful to clarify early.
How did you get into Sci Comm?
I wish I had learned about circuits before high school and realized not many introductory electrical engineering resources are available to younger students. I created my books to expose these students to the topic at an earlier age. Maybe it’ll shape their future!
What’s been your most exciting experience in STEM?
Since publishing my book, I’ve absolutely loved the opportunities I’ve had to speak to groups of young girls about my experiences as an electrical engineering student and author and hopefully inspire them to pursue STEM careers!
What’s something about your field that you wish others knew about?
I think people find electrical engineering intimidating because major concepts, like voltage and current, rely on the theory of small particles, which cannot be seen with the human eye. In addition, engineers purposely design devices so their internal components, like resistors and capacitors, are hidden. Analogies, however, can be used to help visualize and better understand electrical engineering ideas, and it is an approach I use in my books to make the concepts less intimidating.
What has your experience been like as a woman in engineering?
I’ve had a very positive experience as a woman engineer!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
You are not defined by your grades. As long as you try your best, that’s all that matters.
Be sure to check out Emily’s website and social media for more on the STEM Diaries!