From Uncertainty to Possibility: How STEM From Dance Ignited Makeda's Creative Technical Journey

When Makeda joined STEM From Dance during the summer before her senior year of high school, she was lost in a fog of uncertainty. "I was telling my friends, 'I don't know what makes me passionate,'" she recalls. As she prepared college applications, this ambitious young woman found herself directionless, applying to 22 different programs across wildly different disciplines—from theater to pre-med to African-American studies—hoping something would stick.

What happened next is a testament to the transformative power of STEM From Dance's unique approach. In just one summer program, the seeds of possibility were planted that would fundamentally reshape Makeda's educational path, career aspirations, and sense of personal capability.

Spark of Realization

For Makeda, growing up in Los Angeles and attending an intense private high school had left her feeling disconnected from her passions. The traditional tech programs at her school felt "intimidating," closing off potential pathways before she could explore them.

STEM From Dance changed that equation entirely.

"When I went to STEM From Dance, I realized, 'This is tangible. This is in the ballpark of something,'" Makeda shares. "It was hitting something in my brain."

The program's intentional fusion of technical skills and creative expression resonated deeply with Makeda, who had both technical and creative inclinations but had never found a space where both could thrive together.

"I appreciate this program deeply. Because I have a technical side of my brain and a creative side, it's beautiful how this program brings both together."

Immediate Impact: From Participant to Mentor

The confidence Makeda gained through STEM From Dance manifested almost immediately. Shortly after completing the program, she co-created "STEM Gems," a coding initiative for 4th and 5th grade girls at her school.

"I don't think I would have done it if I wasn't in this program," she emphasizes. "I would not have felt capable the year before."

This shift from participant to mentor represented a profound transformation in Makeda's self-perception. Where once she might have doubted her abilities, thinking "I'm too stupid" or "I don't know," she now felt empowered to share knowledge with younger girls.

"I'm glad that I didn't let that thinking stop me," she reflects. "I don't have to be a rocket scientist to make an impact."

Charting a New Course in College

The impact of STEM From Dance extended well beyond that initial summer. When Makeda enrolled at UCLA as an acting major, she quickly realized it wasn't the right fit. Drawing on her STEM From Dance experience, she created a portfolio to apply to UCLA's Design Media Arts program—a major that, like STEM From Dance, bridges technology and creative expression.

Her STEM From Dance project became a centerpiece of her application:

"I put that in my portfolio. This was the only video I had that demonstrated what they were looking for in this program."

She was accepted into the program, launching her on a path that perfectly complemented her diverse interests and talents.

Building Professional Skills and Confidence

Makeda's journey continued to unfold in remarkable ways. Through a chance encounter at UCLA's maker space, she landed a position that allowed her to develop an impressive array of technical skills:

"I learned so much...how to 3D print, autocad editing, laser cutting, sewing. Skills that are applicable in different areas."

These "random skills" mirror the diverse, practical knowledge she first encountered at STEM From Dance, reinforcing her ability to navigate technical spaces with confidence.

A Future of Possibility

Now a senior preparing to graduate, Makeda reflects on how STEM From Dance helped shape not just her educational choices but her approach to life and career:

"I would not even think about the major I'm in now, or the jobs I've had, or so many different things" without the foundation laid by STEM From Dance.

While still exploring potential career paths—from publication design to web development to education—Makeda carries forward the core lesson from STEM From Dance: that technical skills and creativity aren't separate paths but can be powerfully combined.

"I thank you so much for helping clarify my path," Makeda reflects on her STEM From Dance experience. "Sometimes we look at the random stuff we do and think it has no significance...but when you think about it, there's ten thousand things I could have chosen. There's a reason why I was here, right now."

The Ripple Effect

Makeda's story exemplifies the mission of STEM From Dance: to empower girls of color with the skills, experiences, and confidence to pursue careers in STEM through the power of dance. Her journey demonstrates how a single summer program can set in motion a cascade of positive outcomes:

1. Immediate confidence to create and lead STEM opportunities for younger girls

2. Educational direction that shaped her college application process and major selection

3. Professional development through technical jobs that built on her foundation

4. Personal growth in her ability to see herself in spaces where technology and creativity intersect

Perhaps most powerfully, Makeda's experience highlights how STEM From Dance helps young women recognize that their unique combination of interests and talents isn't a limitation but a strength.

As Makeda puts it, the revelation is that seemingly disparate paths aren't deficits but strengths—that what seems "random" might actually be the unique constellation of experiences that leads to innovation and fulfillment.

"I'm excited for when, somewhere along my path, I get more clarity on what I need to do."

With the foundation provided by STEM From Dance, that clarity continues to unfold, one possibility at a time.