((PKG)) GIRL POWER
((Banner: Girl Power!))
((Reporter/Camera: Jeff Swicord))
((Editor: Jacquelyn De Phillips))
((Map: Toledo, Ohio))
((Main characters: 1 female))
((Courtesy all photos: Dr. Sandrine Mubenga))
((MUSIC))
((NATS: Solar field hum, Dr. Mubenga walking through
snow))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I was born in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Congo and I
grew up in Kikwit which is a small town. So, it has brick
houses, roads and everything except that there was no
running water, no electricity.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
FS 275. 75 watts each.
((NATS))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
When I was 17, I got really sick and when we called the
doctor, she told me, ‘You have appendicitis. You need to go
under surgery right away.’ Unfortunately, there was no
electricity in the general hospital. So, for three days, I was
between life and death.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
I’m going to check this and make sure everything…..this one
is a little bit…..
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
After those three days, where I was really in pain and I was
scared, I found my motivation to become an electrical
engineer.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
This is good. If they break, the whole line is broken. There is
disconnection here.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I just realized that in the 21st century, it is unacceptable that
people die because of the lack of electricity.
((NATS: Wind, water, birds))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I came to the United States to study electrical engineering at
The University of Toledo. I was very interested in renewable
energy. So, when I was doing my undergrad, I learned to
design and install solar systems and completed my
bachelor's, my master’s and my Ph.D. here.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
So, this week, we are going to continue with introduction to C
and some of…..
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I could see that it was very important, not only to find
solutions to problems but to teach others how to find
solutions and how to implement those solutions. So, that's
why I became a professor to pass on the knowledge I've
learned.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
This is a way to get the answer.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
Typically I have zero women. We are lucky to have three
women in class.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
You got it? Okay, good.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
Why do we have few women in the STEM field? Science,
technology, engineering and math.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
Oh, Connor. Jennifer?
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
It's very easy. When you go in a store, you see all the toys for
women and girls are dolls and things like that and for the
boys, you would have tools. So unfortunately, society is
pretty much sending a message that science, technology,
engineering and math is for men.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
And then you have the LED here.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
Right now, there's a lot of work that's being done to say,
‘Know you are a woman, you can do STEM.’ That message
needs to be sent early.
((NATS))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
After I got my professional engineer license, I started SMIN
Power Group because that was my dream. In 2013, then we
opened the office in Kinshasa. We installed solar systems
and designed solar systems for communities in the Congo. I
always wanted to lead a company that would provide energy
solutions in places like Kikwit. It's not as much the money
but it's the social impact coming from my experience, you
know, almost dying because of the lack of electricity. It was a
huge effort to educate the customer. And we were pleased to
see that after this effort, that more people are interested in
solar in the Congo. So, it's been a positive experience.
((NATS: People walking to event))
((Banner: Girl Power! event at Imagination Station))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
The University News Network wrote an article. It was called,
Women Killing It in Sustainability and they listed me. And
Imagination Station read the interview. So, they contacted
me. They said, ‘We are doing the Girl Power! event to
introduce girls from Toledo to the STEM field. Would you like
to be part of it?’ So that’s how I was invited to be the keynote
this year.
((SOT: Girl Power! Host))
Please help me give a big round of applause to our amazing
speaker, Dr. Sandrine Mubenga.
((NATS: Applause))
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
Thank you very much for this introduction.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I believe they had about 200 girls attending. It’s always
energizing to be around young people full of hope, you know.
I just love that positive energy.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
So that together we can find solutions to our problems.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I was surprised by the level of maturity of some of those girls.
I remember one of them asked me if it was difficult to be a
mother and to pursue a career in STEM. She must have
been 10. And I realized that often times that is a reason that
would slow women to go into the STEM field. So, I explained
to the girl that I basically had my children as I was building
my career. If you have a good support system, if you are well
organized, you can pursue your dream, have your kids, have
your company.
((NATS: Parents and children exploring Imagination
Station))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I think the best way to encourage more women and young
girls is be there.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
You are a natural. Wow!
((SOT: Instructor
Yeah, she’s getting it.))
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
She’s good.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
First, show them that it is possible to be done.
((SOT: Instructor))
Great!
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I think it's possible that one day, half of my class will be
women.
((SOT: Instructor))
Put your code right there.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
If we focus more into introducing STEM early on, in the
school program.
((NATS: Robot whirring, laughing, high-five))
((SOT: Little girl))
Thank you.
((SOT: Instructor))
You’re welcome.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
So, this is what we would like to see.
((NATS))
((Banner: Girl Power!))
((Reporter/Camera: Jeff Swicord))
((Editor: Jacquelyn De Phillips))
((Map: Toledo, Ohio))
((Main characters: 1 female))
((Courtesy all photos: Dr. Sandrine Mubenga))
((MUSIC))
((NATS: Solar field hum, Dr. Mubenga walking through
snow))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I was born in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Congo and I
grew up in Kikwit which is a small town. So, it has brick
houses, roads and everything except that there was no
running water, no electricity.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
FS 275. 75 watts each.
((NATS))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
When I was 17, I got really sick and when we called the
doctor, she told me, ‘You have appendicitis. You need to go
under surgery right away.’ Unfortunately, there was no
electricity in the general hospital. So, for three days, I was
between life and death.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
I’m going to check this and make sure everything…..this one
is a little bit…..
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
After those three days, where I was really in pain and I was
scared, I found my motivation to become an electrical
engineer.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
This is good. If they break, the whole line is broken. There is
disconnection here.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I just realized that in the 21st century, it is unacceptable that
people die because of the lack of electricity.
((NATS: Wind, water, birds))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I came to the United States to study electrical engineering at
The University of Toledo. I was very interested in renewable
energy. So, when I was doing my undergrad, I learned to
design and install solar systems and completed my
bachelor's, my master’s and my Ph.D. here.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
So, this week, we are going to continue with introduction to C
and some of…..
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I could see that it was very important, not only to find
solutions to problems but to teach others how to find
solutions and how to implement those solutions. So, that's
why I became a professor to pass on the knowledge I've
learned.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
This is a way to get the answer.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
Typically I have zero women. We are lucky to have three
women in class.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
You got it? Okay, good.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
Why do we have few women in the STEM field? Science,
technology, engineering and math.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
Oh, Connor. Jennifer?
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
It's very easy. When you go in a store, you see all the toys for
women and girls are dolls and things like that and for the
boys, you would have tools. So unfortunately, society is
pretty much sending a message that science, technology,
engineering and math is for men.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
And then you have the LED here.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
Right now, there's a lot of work that's being done to say,
‘Know you are a woman, you can do STEM.’ That message
needs to be sent early.
((NATS))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
After I got my professional engineer license, I started SMIN
Power Group because that was my dream. In 2013, then we
opened the office in Kinshasa. We installed solar systems
and designed solar systems for communities in the Congo. I
always wanted to lead a company that would provide energy
solutions in places like Kikwit. It's not as much the money
but it's the social impact coming from my experience, you
know, almost dying because of the lack of electricity. It was a
huge effort to educate the customer. And we were pleased to
see that after this effort, that more people are interested in
solar in the Congo. So, it's been a positive experience.
((NATS: People walking to event))
((Banner: Girl Power! event at Imagination Station))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
The University News Network wrote an article. It was called,
Women Killing It in Sustainability and they listed me. And
Imagination Station read the interview. So, they contacted
me. They said, ‘We are doing the Girl Power! event to
introduce girls from Toledo to the STEM field. Would you like
to be part of it?’ So that’s how I was invited to be the keynote
this year.
((SOT: Girl Power! Host))
Please help me give a big round of applause to our amazing
speaker, Dr. Sandrine Mubenga.
((NATS: Applause))
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
Thank you very much for this introduction.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I believe they had about 200 girls attending. It’s always
energizing to be around young people full of hope, you know.
I just love that positive energy.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
So that together we can find solutions to our problems.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I was surprised by the level of maturity of some of those girls.
I remember one of them asked me if it was difficult to be a
mother and to pursue a career in STEM. She must have
been 10. And I realized that often times that is a reason that
would slow women to go into the STEM field. So, I explained
to the girl that I basically had my children as I was building
my career. If you have a good support system, if you are well
organized, you can pursue your dream, have your kids, have
your company.
((NATS: Parents and children exploring Imagination
Station))
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I think the best way to encourage more women and young
girls is be there.
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
You are a natural. Wow!
((SOT: Instructor
Yeah, she’s getting it.))
((SOT: Dr. Mubenga))
She’s good.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
First, show them that it is possible to be done.
((SOT: Instructor))
Great!
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
I think it's possible that one day, half of my class will be
women.
((SOT: Instructor))
Put your code right there.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
If we focus more into introducing STEM early on, in the
school program.
((NATS: Robot whirring, laughing, high-five))
((SOT: Little girl))
Thank you.
((SOT: Instructor))
You’re welcome.
((Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, Ph.D., PE, Electrical Engineer,
Professor at The University of Toledo))
So, this is what we would like to see.
((NATS))
