Designing for STEM Access
Designing for STEM Access
Designing for
STEM Access
Designing for
STEM Access
My Role
My Role
My Role
Designing the entire end to end flow of finding and learning about STEM programs.
Designing the entire end to end flow of finding and learning about STEM programs.
Resources
Resources
Resources
3 months
Five product designers
One design manager, one product manager
3 months
Five product designers
One design manager, one product manager
3 months
Five product designers
One design manager, one product manager
I have participated in the creation of every design and artifact shown
I have participated in the creation of every design and artifact shown
I have participated in the creation of every design and artifact shown
Low on time? Find what you are looking for:
Low on time? Find what you are looking for:
Low on time? Find what you are looking for:
Low on time? Find what you are looking for:
For the whole picture, you are in the right place!
For the whole picture, you are in the right place!
For the whole picture, you are in the right place!
Imagine: you're a dedicated guardian or an eager student, laptop in hand, ready to find the perfect STEM program that could shape a future career.
Imagine: you're a dedicated guardian or an eager student, laptop in hand, ready to find the perfect STEM program that could shape a future career.
Imagine: you're a dedicated guardian or an eager student, laptop in hand, ready to find the perfect STEM program that could shape a future career.
You sit down, full of hope, and open your browser to search websites for opportunities. Hours pass as you click through broken links, confusing menus, and outdated pages. Your excitement dwindles with each frustrating dead end. Finally, you give up, disheartened, feeling the sting of missed opportunities and wasted time.
You sit down, full of hope, and open your browser to search websites for opportunities. Hours pass as you click through broken links, confusing menus, and outdated pages. Your excitement dwindles with each frustrating dead end. Finally, you give up, disheartened, feeling the sting of missed opportunities and wasted time.
You sit down, full of hope, and open your browser to search websites for opportunities. Hours pass as you click through broken links, confusing menus, and outdated pages. Your excitement dwindles with each frustrating dead end. Finally, you give up, disheartened, feeling the sting of missed opportunities and wasted time.
Project Details
What is Be A Geek?
What is Be A Geek?
What is Be A Geek?
Be a Geek, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering diversity in STEM. Their mission focuses on inspiring and empowering Black students and professionals for success in STEM fields, contributing to a more inclusive landscape.
Be a Geek, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering diversity in STEM. Their mission focuses on inspiring and empowering Black students and professionals for success in STEM fields, contributing to a more inclusive landscape.
Problem
Problem
Problem
Be a Geek needed a redesigned app that specifically addressed the needs of Black students and professionals underrepresented in STEM fields.
Be a Geek needed a redesigned app that specifically addressed the needs of Black students and professionals underrepresented in STEM fields.
Solution
Solution
Solution
Design a research-backed app focused on facilitating the discovery of STEM programs, tailored specifically to address the needs of Black students and professionals in STEM.
Design a research-backed app focused on facilitating the discovery of STEM programs, tailored specifically to address the needs of Black students and professionals in STEM.
The Objective
The Objective
The Objective
We were tasked with designing mobile app screens that allows guardians, educators, and K-12 students interested in STEM to search and register for vetted STEM programs in the Atlanta area.
We were tasked with designing mobile app screens that allows guardians, educators, and K-12 students interested in STEM to search and register for vetted STEM programs in the Atlanta area.
Results
Results
Results
Achieved a 98% task success rate, an 88% user satisfaction rate, and a 90% Net Promoter Score during testing.
Achieved a 98% task success rate, an 88% user satisfaction rate, and a 90% Net Promoter Score during testing.
Who are we impacting?
Who are we impacting?
Who are we impacting?
100,000 - 500,000 students, parents/guardians, educators, STEM experts, and STEM program organizers.
100,000 - 500,000 students, parents/guardians, educators, STEM experts, and STEM program organizers.
100,000 - 500,000 students, parents/guardians, educators, STEM experts, and STEM program organizers.
Research
"If there is one area of education filled with accusations of being inadequate in the US, it would be STEM."
"If there is one area of education filled with accusations of being inadequate in the US, it would be STEM."
"If there is one area of education filled with accusations of being inadequate in the US, it would be STEM."
"If there is one area of education filled with accusations of being inadequate in the US, it would be STEM."
Black and Hispanic People Receive the Least Amount of STEM Degrees
Black and Hispanic People Receive the Least Amount of STEM Degrees
Engineering is the most extensive area that is dominated by one race (White).
Black students earned only 7% of STEM degrees but received 10% of the total degrees in the US for the same period.
Hispanics earned 10% of the STEM degrees and 15% of the bachelor’s degrees in all fields.
Engineering is the most extensive area that is dominated by one race (White).
Black students earned only 7% of STEM degrees but received 10% of the total degrees in the US for the same period.
Hispanics earned 10% of the STEM degrees and 15% of the bachelor’s degrees in all fields.
Children Have a Better Attitude Towards Stem When Volunteering Their Time
Children Have a Better Attitude Towards Stem When Volunteering Their Time
80% of students say their STEM career knowledge increased because of their afterschool experience.
78% of students said they had a more positive attitude about STEM because of their afterschool experience.
80% of students say their STEM career knowledge increased because of their afterschool experience.
78% of students said they had a more positive attitude about STEM because of their afterschool experience.
Encouraging kids to pursue STEM has lifelong effects, but only 1% of them have access to certain fields like computer science in their afterschool programs.
Encouraging kids to pursue STEM has lifelong effects, but only 1% of them have access to certain fields like computer science in their afterschool programs.
Encouraging kids to pursue STEM has lifelong effects, but only 1% of them have access to certain fields like computer science in their afterschool programs.
Encouraging kids to pursue STEM has lifelong effects, but only 1% of them have access to certain fields like computer science in their afterschool programs.
Secondary Research Source: "STEM Education Statistics in 2024" by Krystal DeVille
Secondary Research Source: "STEM Education Statistics in 2024" by Krystal DeVille
Secondary Research Source: "STEM Education Statistics in 2024" by Krystal DeVille
Secondary Research Source: "STEM Education Statistics in 2024" by Krystal DeVille
This is exactly the problem Be A Geek is trying to solve
This is exactly the problem Be A Geek is trying to solve
This is exactly the problem Be A Geek is trying to solve
This is exactly the problem Be A Geek is trying to solve
by increasing visibility and exposure to STEM and connecting Black students with STEM programs in their area.
by increasing visibility and exposure to STEM and connecting Black students with STEM programs in their area.
by increasing visibility and exposure to STEM and connecting Black students with STEM programs in their area.
by increasing visibility and exposure to STEM and connecting Black students with STEM programs in their area.
As We Get Ready, Let's Talk To Our Client:
As We Get Ready, Let's Talk To Our Client:
As We Get Ready, Let's Talk To Our Client:
As We Get Ready, Let's Talk To Our Client:
What is the main pain point of the current product?
What is the main pain point of the current product?
"Current screen design is not backed by user research."
"Current screen design is not backed by user research."
What will success look like?
What will success look like?
"Having a research-based, modern design of the app and its supporting files that can be used in the development phase."
"Having a research-based, modern design of the app and its supporting files that can be used in the development phase."
With this, project scoping was completed through our Product Requirements Document (PRD).
With this, project scoping was completed through our Product Requirements Document (PRD).
With this, project scoping was completed through our Product Requirements Document (PRD).
Setting Goals
Setting Goals
Setting Goals
Setting Goals
Design a mobile app
Design a mobile app
to allow guardians, students, and educators find STEM programs in their area.
to allow guardians, students, and educators find STEM programs in their area.
to allow guardians, students, and educators find STEM programs in their area.
Simplify finding STEM programs
Simplify finding STEM programs
and viewing other relevant information.
and viewing other relevant information.
and viewing other relevant information.
Utilize user research
Utilize user research
to create a seamless product that users can easily follow and understand.
to create a seamless product that users can easily follow and understand.
to create a seamless product that users can easily follow and understand.
Time to Talk to Our Users
Time to Talk to Our Users
Time to Talk to Our Users
Time to Talk to Our Users
To identify specific pain points experienced in this problem space, three (3) parents and educators who have been or are currently affiliated with STEM programs were interviewed for thirty (30) minutes each.
To identify specific pain points experienced in this problem space, three (3) parents and educators who have been or are currently affiliated with STEM programs were interviewed for thirty (30) minutes each.
To identify specific pain points experienced in this problem space, three (3) parents and educators who have been or are currently affiliated with STEM programs were interviewed for thirty (30) minutes each.
Mapping Out What the Users Told Us
Mapping Out What the Users Told Us
Mapping Out What the Users Told Us
Mapping Out What the Users Told Us
What Were Their Biggest Pain Points?
What Were Their Biggest Pain Points?
What Were Their Biggest Pain Points?
What Were Their Biggest Pain Points?
Hardships in Connection
Hardships in Connection
"It's hard to connect with STEM programs and professionals to get my questions answered."
"It's hard to connect with STEM programs and professionals to get my questions answered."
"It's hard to connect with STEM programs and professionals to get my questions answered."
Complexity of Finding
Complexity of Finding
"Finding these programs is so complex, I have to jump through so many hoops."
"Finding these programs is so complex, I have to jump through so many hoops."
"Finding these programs is so complex, I have to jump through so many hoops."
Time-Consuming Verification
Time-Consuming Verification
"Verifying the quality and requirements of these programs just takes too much time."
"Verifying the quality and requirements of these programs just takes too much time."
"Verifying the quality and requirements of these programs just takes too much time."
Questions of Affordability
Questions of Affordability
"Some students can't afford to participate in unpaid programs."
"Some students can't afford to participate in unpaid programs."
"Some students can't afford to participate in unpaid programs."
Conservation Scientist
Conservation Scientist
User Interview Participant
"One of the crazy things is that a lot of the opportunities for STEM programs are through state websites, which are often very difficult to navigate. Even though I know the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has programs, I can't find them online. I have to text and call for the URL because it's impossible to Google."
*paraphrased for length
"One of the crazy things is that a lot of the opportunities for STEM programs are through state websites, which are often very difficult to navigate. Even though I know the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has programs, I can't find them online. I have to text and call for the URL because it's impossible to Google."
*paraphrased for length
"One of the crazy things is that a lot of the opportunities for STEM programs are through state websites, which are often very difficult to navigate. Even though I know the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has programs, I can't find them online. I have to text and call for the URL because it's impossible to Google."
*paraphrased for length
Design Process
Creating a User Story and Task Flows
Creating a User Story and Task Flows
Creating a User Story and Task Flows
Creating a User Story and Task Flows
As a guardian/student, I want to be able to easily find, view and register to STEM programs available to me all through Be A Geek.
As a guardian/student, I want to be able to easily find, view and register to STEM programs available to me all through Be A Geek.
As a guardian/student, I want to be able to easily find, view and register to STEM programs available to me all through Be A Geek.
Searching for Programs
Searching for Programs
Users can search for programs by key word, category, or location.
Users can search for programs by key word, category, or location.
Users can search for programs by key word, category, or location.
Viewing Program Details
Viewing Program Details
Clicking on a program includes detailed information, including descriptions, photos, ratings and more.
Clicking on a program includes detailed information, including descriptions, photos, ratings and more.
Clicking on a program includes detailed information, including descriptions, photos, ratings and more.
Visualizing App's Structure
Visualizing App's Structure
Visualizing App's Structure
Visualizing App's Structure
Refining the Flow and Preparing the UI for User Testing
Refining the Flow and Preparing the UI for User Testing
Refining the Flow and Preparing the UI for User Testing
Refining the Flow and Preparing the UI for User Testing
Usability Testing
Working with Our Users
Working with Our Users
Working with Our Users
Working with Our Users
To test the flow and identify areas of improvement in our current design, we tested our prototype with eleven (11) potential users and made improvements based on their thoughts and feedback.
To test the flow and identify areas of improvement in our current design, we tested our prototype with eleven (11) potential users and made improvements based on their thoughts and feedback.
To test the flow and identify areas of improvement in our current design, we tested our prototype with eleven (11) potential users and made improvements based on their thoughts and feedback.
Feedback & How We Addressed It
Feedback & How We Addressed It
Feedback & How We Addressed It
Feedback & How We Addressed It
98%
98%
Task Success Rate
Task Success Rate
Task Success Rate
88%
88%
User Satisfaction Rate
User Satisfaction Rate
User Satisfaction Rate
2%
2%
Error Rate
Error Rate
Error Rate
90%
90%
Net Promoter Score
Net Promoter Score
Net Promoter Score
We also brewed some excitement!
We also brewed some excitement!
We also brewed some excitement!
We also brewed some excitement!
3rd Grade Teacher
3rd Grade Teacher
User Testing Participant
"When is this [app] being released? I've been waiting for something like this forever!"
"When is this [app] being released? I've been waiting for something like this forever!"
"When is this [app] being released? I've been waiting for something like this forever!"
Final Design
The End!
With Be A Geek You Can…
With Be A Geek You Can…
With Be A Geek You Can…
With Be A Geek You Can…
Search and Filter
Search and Filter
Search and Filter
Search and Filter
View Programs
View Programs
View Programs
View Programs
…and Rewrite the Narrative!
…and Rewrite the Narrative!
…and Rewrite the Narrative!
…and Rewrite the Narrative!
Imagine: you're a dedicated guardian or an eager student, laptop in hand, ready to find the perfect STEM program that could shape a future career.
Imagine: you're a dedicated guardian or an eager student, laptop in hand, ready to find the perfect STEM program that could shape a future career.
Imagine: you're a dedicated guardian or an eager student, laptop in hand, ready to find the perfect STEM program that could shape a future career.
Imagine: you're a dedicated guardian or an eager student, laptop in hand, ready to find the perfect STEM program that could shape a future career.
You discover the Be a Geek app. With a few clicks, you easily navigate through a wealth of STEM programs tailored to your interests and needs. You quickly find the perfect program, register in minutes, and feel a renewed sense of hope and anticipation. Thanks to Be a Geek, your journey to a promising future in STEM is back on track.
You discover the Be a Geek app. With a few clicks, you easily navigate through a wealth of STEM programs tailored to your interests and needs. You quickly find the perfect program, register in minutes, and feel a renewed sense of hope and anticipation. Thanks to Be a Geek, your journey to a promising future in STEM is back on track.
Key Learnings & Takeaways
Key Learnings & Takeaways
Key Learnings & Takeaways
Key Learnings & Takeaways
Articulating Design Decisions
Throughout this project, I learned the importance of effectively communicating design decisions to stakeholders and the reasoning behind each decision.
Articulating Design Decisions
Throughout this project, I learned the importance of effectively communicating design decisions to stakeholders and the reasoning behind each decision.
Stakeholder Management
Engaging with various stakeholders, including our client, design and product manager, and my fellow designers taught me how to navigate diverse perspectives and expectations, fostering collaborative partnerships that drove the project forward.
Stakeholder Management
Engaging with various stakeholders, including our client, design and product manager, and my fellow designers taught me how to navigate diverse perspectives and expectations, fostering collaborative partnerships that drove the project forward.
Balancing Collaboration and Ownership
Integrating the part I showcased, where I took ownership, with the overall flow required close collaboration with my teammates. This taught me the importance of clear communication and adaptability in balancing independent responsibility with team cohesion.
Balancing Collaboration and Ownership
Integrating the part I showcased, where I took ownership, with the overall flow required close collaboration with my teammates. This taught me the importance of clear communication and adaptability in balancing independent responsibility with team cohesion.
If I had more time…
If I had more time…
If I had more time…
If I had more time…
I would conduct additional usability testing using our high-fidelity designs to assess any potential enhancements in the measured KPIs. After launching the MVP I would also like to measure the following KPIs to determine success:
Sign-up rate/number of users - the client is hoping to reach 1000 users in Atlanta post-launch
User retention rate
Number of downloads
I would conduct additional usability testing using our high-fidelity designs to assess any potential enhancements in the measured KPIs. After launching the MVP I would also like to measure the following KPIs to determine success:
Sign-up rate/number of users - the client is hoping to reach 1000 users in Atlanta post-launch
User retention rate
Number of downloads
The End!
You Made It to the End!
View My Other Projects?
You Made It to the End!
View My Other Projects?
You Made It to the End!
View My Other Projects?
You Made It to the End!
View My Other Projects?
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