GraphLock’s CEO Becomes “Jedi Mentor” for a Day

The force was with GraphLock founder and CEO Mallory Dyer this past week as she mentored students on the ways in which they can harness the power of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

Serving as a SciTech Jedi Mentor at the Chief Science Officer (CSO) Summer Institute, Mallory worked with junior high and high school students attending the three-day STEM empowerment event at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. The students from cities and towns across Arizona were elected by their peers to be their school’s STEM ambassador, serving as the on-campus liaison for local STEM professionals and organizations.

“As a CSO SciTech Jedi Mentor, my role was to help train a pipeline of diverse student STEM leaders to help promote a culture of STEM among young people in Arizona,” Mallory says. “I was able to share my background and how STEM has made an impact in my life, and also help them to explore STEM careers.”

Participating was a no-brainer, she says, as GraphLock and the CSO institute share the same mission: to empower all students and level the playing field in STEM education. The energy at the event was palpable.

It was absolutely incredible to see these students so interested and excited about STEM. Their passion was contagious and their desire to bring STEM back to their schools and fellow classmates was amazing!

Mallory Dyer

With the help of Jedi Mentors like Mallory, the students identified STEM-based learning opportunities – such as speakers, field trips and science nights -- that reflect the interests of their peers. The kids even crafted a plan for a STEM-related event for their school.

Mallory was particularly struck by one 7 th grade girl who said she planned to research and contact a company that builds drones to talk to her school because, “drones are going to be in all of our futures and students need to understand them and know what to prepare for.”

“These students planned a full STEM activity from start to finish, including speaking with the principal and other administrations, recruiting other students to help, contacting speakers, booking the venue, marketing and promoting the event, etc.,” she says. “They came up with the idea and will see it through to the end – all for the love of STEM.”