The talent portion of the Miss America pageant typically consists of contestants singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. All that changed when the most recent Miss America, Camille Schrier, carried out a STEM demonstration during her talent portion.
The STEM Class Podcast host Anthony Arno talks with Schrier about her lifelong passion for science and her decision to showcase a STEM activity as part of her talent portion, and the reaction from other contestants.
Additional topics covered include:
- Early educators who made a difference
- Teachers as role models
- Earliest interest in science
- Entry into first beauty pageant
- Decision to present a STEM activity over performing arts during talent portion
- Following a passion for science
- Initial reaction from other contestants
- Most unusual talent segments through the years of Miss America
- The final seconds before the winner is announced
- Comparing Miss America journey to the scientific method
- Official platform as Miss America: Mind Your Meds
- How to encourage girls and minorities to consider STEM careers
- How the pandemic affected Miss America’s reign
- Collaboration for 3M Science at Home series
- Cooking Up Science with Miss America (PBS 9 part mini-series)
- Most memorable story as Miss America while visiting schools
- Most memorable souvenir received as Miss America
- Passing the Miss America crown to the next recipient
- Does Miss America get to keep the actual crown?
- What other STEM demonstrations were being considered for pageant?
- Final Minute before the Final Bell
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