This individual stood out as one of the few Black females in her engineering course at MIT. Now, as a graduate, she employs dance to initiate a new wave of students into the realm of STEM.
Raised on Long Island in New York, nurtured by a mechanical engineer father and a nurse mother, her varied interests consistently had backing.
"I reckon my parents' professions in the STEM sectors pretty much made me think I could also achieve in STEM," Toussaint mentioned.
She had an affinity for math, but the dance studio became her sanctuary, she stated.
"It's always been a breeding ground for camaraderie, persistence, and learning resilience," Toussaint shared.
This mutual passion led Toussaint to study mechanical engineering at MIT, where she also served as captain of the dance team. It was here she discovered that Black women rarely pursued education in STEM - an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She was one of just two Black women in her graduating class, an experience that underscored the need for greater diversity in these career fields.
"What struck me the most was I didn’t feel like I was so unique that I should be one of two," Toussaint said. "I felt like it should be different and could be different."
Synergizing STEM and dance
As a high school math teacher in eastern Brooklyn in 2008, Toussaint witnessed numerous students who harbored grudges towards math. This fostered her ambition to devise a method to alter children's perceptions, particularly for girls of color, and encourage them to embrace STEM.
"I just started to ponder about a universe where the advantages that you derive from dance could foster the outcomes we yearn for in STEM," Toussaint pondered.
In 2012, she established Dance-STEM Integ, a not-for-profit initiative that blends dance with STEM education to make these subjects more captivating and accessible. Today, the program works with girls of color between 8 to 18 in nine American cities and its services are free for individuals.
The organization's school and summer programs generally attract girls who consider themselves dancers but are apprehensive about STEM. Through the supportive community and hands-on projects, the girls start viewing themselves as programmers, engineers, and innovators.
"Via dance, we create an environment that feels inviting," Toussaint explained. "And with this space, we're able to pose something that feels a tad intimidating."
Illuminating the stage with STEM
Rather than teach dance and STEM independently, the program merges the two. Working in small groups, the girls develop dance routines incorporating STEM elements like LED strips they code to light up in sync with the music. They also construct songs through computer science that they integrate into their performance.
"Initially, I genuinely appreciated the dance portion," reported Myrtha Plaisime, 14, a STEM From Dance participant. "Then, when we entered the STEM aspect, I was a bit skeptical at first, but we eventually delved deeper into the STEM aspect. I concluded that STEM could intertwine with my deepest interests."
On the program's last day, the girls demonstrate their routines for family and friends. This day holds significance for Toussaint, she hopes the girls remember it.
"That feeling they get, we want them to remember that and... remember that they are commended for engaging in STEM," Toussaint said. "So, when they tackle that tough math problem, they're reminded, ‘I am capable of overcoming challenges.’"
Toussaint hopes by demonstrating that girls of color can excel in STEM fields, it will transcend mere representation.
"I believe that the solution to some of the world's most pressing problems relies on these girls being in the room because they have a unique set of life experiences," Toussaint stated. "They're creative, they're intellectual, they're curious, they're artistic, and they're going to bring a distinct set of ideas to the table, so we must ensure they are represented."
Eager to contribute? Explore the Dance-STEM Integ website and discover how to assist.
To donate to Dance-STEM Integ via GoFundMe, click here
"Working with us at Dance-STEM Integ, I've seen how the program has helped girls overcome their fears about STEM subjects," Toussaint shared.
"Our goal is to show these girls that they can excel in STEM fields and that their unique perspectives are crucial for solving global challenges," Toussaint emphasized.
