Skip Navigation Links

Erika Tate
Graduate Student in Math/Science Education

Why did she continue her education?

Erika wanted a job that's more flexible.

What a PhD student does

PhD students conduct research to solve questions that they are interested in. In a graduate program, they come up with questions they want to answer. To answer their questions, they develop tools and methods to collect data. Then they analyze the information, draw conclusions, and write up their study in a paper. 

A day in her life

Erika teaches aerobic classes at 24 Hour Fitness in the morning. When she gets home, she writes proposals for conferences, develops curriculum, writes yearly papers, categorizes and analyzes student papers, and runs data analysis and statistics. Afterwards, Erika draws conclusions about student learning or how well the unit supports student understanding and makes sure she has the evidence to support them. Then she writes about it. Once a week in the summer, she meets with her research group and has a discussion.

The best part of being a doctoral student

Erika enjoys figuring out how to teach science to her students. She likes reflecting and spending time revising to improve her curriculum.

A proud moment

Erika is proud that she "finally figured out what she wanted to do with her life."

Challenges along the way

For Erika, getting financial aid for college was tough because she had to get enough money. When she was an undergraduate, she had federal loans and some scholarships, and money from her work study job. For graduate school, she had a fellowship and worked as a research assistant for her advisor. She also struggled to find guidance and gain confidence throughout her studies.

Life outside of work

Erika hangs out with her friends, watches television, and relaxes at home.

Other hobbies

In her free time, Erika tends her garden of petunias, works out, runs on a trail, and relaxes.

How she got to be a PhD student

After high school, Erika studied Electrical Engineering at Brown University. After she got her Bachelors degree, she realized that she wanted to specialize in a teaching field that's related to engineering, which led her to study Math/Science Education.

Advice to young women

Erika suggests that young women never give up, always ask questions, and seek opportunities. "Do what you want to do because you control your own life."

Links

TELS- Technology Enhanced Learning in Science

Erika participated in TELS, where she was involved in researching, doing teacher preparation and professional improvement. Her topic specialization was middle school physical science kinematics (Force and Motion), where her goal was to increase students' understanding of the engineering career fields and to create a more diverse engineering workforce.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE) / National Society of Black Engineers

Erika was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers at Cornell University.

Double X

Erika is a staff member of the Double X after school science club for girls. She volunteered to plan and run a math, science, or engineering mini-lesson at Oakland Technical High School.

Rhode Island Space Program

Erika taught science and engineering at the RI Space Program and encouraged students to pursue careers related to science and engineering.