Rachel Simmons – 2024 Capital Region Rising Star

Get to know Rachel

How has your math identity impacted your journey in STEM?
I used to not like math because I wasn’t very good at it, but as I continued learning, it became easier. Math has helped me with some of the science studies that I’ve worked on in school.

Who is the teacher or mentor who sparked your interest in STEM?
I attribute my love of STEM to my science teacher, Ms. Hausner. She is always encouraging me to learn more and ask questions.

What are you thinking about doing after high school and what are some of the ways you are beginning to explore potential careers?
I kind of know what I want to do after high school, but it’s still uncertain at this point in time. At school, I did a career exploration project and my top two choices were a biologist and a marine biologist.
 

What fish scales can teach us

An important early STEM experience for Rachel involved examining fish scales with her uncle.

Nominated for her curiousity

“Rachel has a passion and drive to explore the natural world and has been channeling that energy for the past couple years towards her CTE graduation pathway in Natural Resources. She is always the first in line to try a new field tool, pick up a new book, or begin a new investigation inside or outside the classroom. She is also an active member of our Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), Oakville FFA, and is working to incorporate aquaculture into our annual program of work. Rachel is also engaged with the Youth Works program every summer with the Chehalis Tribe. Through this program she has opportunities to work with the tribal fisheries on various projects on and off the Reservation. Her understanding of tribal resources and community connections have inspired her to pursue a career in natural resources.

Rachel’s scientific curiosities keep our classroom and field experiences interesting and I have been impressed by her desire to explore native ways of knowing about the natural world. She strives to build connections between western knowledge and tribal traditions in all of her class and field work. Where those connections are made, she will joyfully share her knowledge and experiences with the rest of us, helping to build a more complete picture of our common connections to the land.”

—Jessica Hausman, Science Teacher at Oakville High School
 

The Washington STEM Rising Star Awards encourage young women and trans and nonbinary youth to embrace STEM learning in ways that will support their education, career, and community.

Meet all of the 2024 Washington STEM Rising Stars!