A curious kid investigator explores careers with female professionals working in a wide variety of STEM-related fields. The Curious About Careers shorts series was honored with a Regional Emmy Award for Children/Youth/Teens – Program/Special in 2018.

Curious About Careers Lessons

  • Janellyn invests in learning about climate change with Marilyn Waite! Marilyn explains to Janellyn how she works with corporations to finance climate change efforts. Marilyn stresses the importance of helping prevent climate change as an individual, from taking public buses to opening a climate-friendly bank account.

  • Genesis predicts a career in meteorology with Emily Wahls! Genesis stops by a TV station to explore the science of forecasting the weather as a meteorologist. She learns how weather models are used to predict the weather and has some fun with the green screen!

  • Genesis dives into exploring marine archaeology with Melanie Damour! Melanie explains what it’s like to scuba dive to historic shipwrecks to study ancient artifacts and bring history back to the surface.

  • Genesis makes some waves learning about chemical oceanography with Dr. Ashanti Johnson! Dr. Johnson explains the different fields of oceanography, and how studying different chemicals in run-off affect water and water flow.

  • Zookeeper Annie Marcum shows investigator Genesis the nutritional science involved in the care of carnivores! From lions to tigers to otters, oh my, Genesis helps Annie with her daily dinner duties at Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo!

  • Computer Coder Hillary Lewandowski explains to Curious Crew investigator Janellyn how programming language is used to create interactive websites. Ms. Lewandowski is a Drupal Developer for Commercial Progression in Northville, MI.

  • Robotics and Automation Educator Sid Mosley demonstrates to Curious Crew investigator Janellyn how students and professionals retrain for new careers by learning how to program robots in manufacturing and automation. Mr. Mosley is the coordinator for the Center for Manufacturing Excellence at Lansing Community College in Lansing, MI.

  • Water Chemist Daveda Quinn shows investigator Genesis the importance of chemistry in keeping our water clean and safe! Daveda gives her a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Jackson, Michigan, and Genesis gets "hands on" training testing water and learning the importance of protecting this vital natural resource.

  • Genesis “strengthens” her knowledge of athletic training with LouAnne Jefferson! Athletic training is more than just push-ups and sit-ups! Genesis learns how different body movements and the use of bands, bosus, and even water treadmills help athletes build muscle strength and stay healthy!

  • Fasten your seat belt as Janellyn learns how to fly a plane with Delta Air Lines pilot Emily Coaker! Janellyn’s knowledge about aviation soars as Emily gives her a tour of the flight deck on a Boeing 717 at Detroit Metro Airport.

  • Janellyn’s knowledge about forest hydrology grows with Asia Dowtin! They venture into the forest to collect and analyze precipitation samples to calculate water movement through stem flow, which is vitally important to the urban planning and development of water systems.

  • Janellyn gets a bird’s eye view of ornithology from expert Pam Rasmussen! Ornithologist Pam Rasmussen explains the science behind the study of birds. Pam and Janellyn spend the day bird watching using all different kinds of equipment including binoculars, cameras, and listening devices! Janellyn also gets a tour of bird exhibits at the Michigan State University Museum.

  • Janellyn explores the benefits of prescribed burns and how they relate to convection with United States Fire Management Officer Persephone Whelen. Janellyn also learns about the various tools firefighters use and the safety precautions they must take in the field.

  • Michigan State University Athletic Turf Manager Amy Fouty shares the science behind creating athletic fields with kid investigator Genesis! Amy teaches Genesis the importance of having different types of turf for different sports, how to measure a field’s water level, and the overall care that goes into turf management.

  • Health Educator Bethany Thayer explains to Curious Crew investigator Janellyn how awareness of healthy lifestyles and making good choices can improve our overall well-being and help us live long lives. Ms. Thayer is the Director of the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI.

  • Explore your possibilities at Detroit's Michigan Science Center as Dr. Tonya Matthews takes Janellyn on an interactive tour.

  • Janellyn has a GRRREAT! time with Kellogg Company packaging engineer Karen Keeder! Karen shows Janellyn the science that goes into the designing, labeling, and testing of the packages for various Kellogg's food products, including Cheez-It and Rice Krispies Treats.

  • Fiat Chrysler Automotive’s auto-design color and materials director LaShirl Turner shows Janellyn the science and art behind using various colors and materials for automobiles. Together they compare and contrast different materials in the FCA Design Dome, and Janellyn even gets to take a test drive!

  • Genesis is 'over-the-moon' to learn about astronomy with Jillian Bellovary! Jillian explains to Genesis what black holes are, how they form, and how she studies them using computer simulations.

  • Janellyn’s knowledge about space blasts off with NASA astronaut Jessica Meir! Jessica launches into her experience of what it’s like to be in outer space, including being a part of the first all-female spacewalk. Janellyn learns how Jessica’s love of biology led to her passion to become an astronaut with NASA.

  • Architectural Designer Tiffany Brown “builds” Janellyn’s knowledge about architecture! Janellyn learns the science and art that goes into the process of creating and constructing buildings in downtown Detroit.

  • Genesis “jams” with musician Jen Sygit and discovers how music is based on science! They play a variety of instruments [...]