THEME - Key Persons

Dr. Leena Bakshi intensively studies STEM education and how we can create access and opportunities for EACH and EVERY student regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic status. Leena feels that the more diverse our STEM workforce, the more diverse our solutions! She has researched schools spanning all across the state of California and completed her dissertation on The Successful Implementation of STEM Initiatives in Lower Income Schools. She went on to manage continuation and independent study programs for at-risk teens. Leena worked at the county office of education as the science program director. She pattered with school districts to train administrators, teachers and staff on the implementation of the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. After seeing the limited access that underrepresented students have in STEM subjects, she founded STEM 4 Real. In addition to quality professional learning, the company showcases real-life STEM stars that are breaking barriers and pioneering key breakthroughs in the STEM fields. Through literacy and STEM education, Leena hopes to increase the school to STEM career pipeline with a diversified STEM workforce that will continue to change the world. Leena earned her B.A. degree in biology from UC Berkeley