Emily’s Story

Inspired by her mother’s work in developing youth prevention programming, Emily Robinson has always known that the most rewarding career is one where you reach others, especially children.  Emily’s love of science also grew from an early age, motivating her to want “to change the future of science and increase the roles and opportunities for girls in the sciences.”

After working for several years as a petroleum field engineer with few other women around her and interning in environmental protection, Emily knew that she was ready to return to science and to use her field experience in the classroom. “I knew that I wanted to teach but needed work experience to help me find connections of content to life outside the classroom.”  Emily welcomes the challenge of reaching all students but especially young women who have decided against science, seeing it as an opportunity to get them to try it again and experience “real” science.

Emily graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, Va., and earned a BS in Geology from The College of William and Mary.  She has published her undergraduate student research on paleontology and climate change effects on ecology and biodiversity.  A committed volunteer, Emily is in the process of establishing a teen leadership institute for under-served youth in rural Pennsylvania, allowing teens an opportunity to become more involved in their community and learn leadership skills through service learning.