Life & Work with Abigail Chiang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Chiang.

Abigail, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I first embarked on my journey with technology, I was filled with a sense of excitement and curiosity. Little did I know that this exploration would uncover a glaring disparity in the opportunities available to aspiring young minds. It was during a transformative moment at a summer camp, sitting in a circle of eager students, when I boldly expressed my passion for coding, only to find myself as the sole girl among a sea of boys. This striking gender imbalance in a technology class further reinforced the realization that many people, especially underprivileged students, were being deprived of the wonders of these fields.

This pivotal moment became the spark that ignited an unwavering determination within me. I knew in my heart that I had to be part of the change to create a platform that would revolutionize the landscape of technology education and inclusivity. And so, with passion in my veins and a vision in my mind, I set out to create UnifyStem, on a mission to empower, inspire, and unite young minds through an early introduction to STEM.

UnifyStem became my beacon of hope, my canvas for fostering diversity and inclusion, where I believed every aspiring mind, regardless of their background or gender, deserved the same opportunity to explore the thrilling realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I labored over several months, reaching out to friends, teachers, and communities to rally them behind this cause.

Recruiting passionate teams, forging partnerships with esteemed sponsors and leading tech companies, and collaborating with educational institutions and scholarship programs, I tirelessly worked to build a sturdy foundation for UnifyStem’s grand vision.

I hosted over 85+ captivating STEM lectures, each one a beacon of inspiration, igniting the spark of curiosity within young minds. As part of the process, I personally interviewed and handpicked instructors who shared the same dedication to empowering the next generation.

I witnessed the magical moment when countless students from diverse backgrounds discovered their love for STEM and unlocked the potential to soar to new heights.

But that was just the beginning. I yearned to push the boundaries even further, to break down the geographical barriers and host a global event that would transcend borders and cultures. And so, on that day, July 8, 2023, UnifyStem’s inaugural global hackathon was born.

I successfully raised over $2,200 in charity funds, partnered with 14 distinguished organizations, and welcomed over 150+ participants from all corners of the globe – from Vietnam to India, Africa to Canada, Mexico to the Philippines, Thailand to the United States, Singapore to Korea, Japan to Taiwan.

The virtual event was electrifying as esteemed Ph.D. scholars from Stanford and USC, along with seasoned software engineering professionals, graced the stage with motivational speeches that resonated in every young heart.

Our team of instructors left no stone unturned as they delved into an array of introductory materials, covering Python, Java, HTML, cybersecurity, and ventured into the thrilling realms of neural networks, linear algebra, and machine learning libraries, igniting a blazing curiosity within every eager mind.

In that moment, we had achieved our deepest hope – to inspire and train the next generation of extraordinary minds, bridging the gap, and empowering underprivileged students to dream bigger, to aspire higher, and to unlock their limitless potential in the captivating world of STEM.

UnifyStem’s journey is far from over, we achieved our goal of shaping a brighter, more equitable future where STEM education is a bridge to opportunity for all.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey of building UnifyStem has been an exhilarating rollercoaster ride filled with both triumphs and challenges. One of the initial hurdles we faced was expanding our team and reaching participants from all corners of the globe. To tackle this, I drew upon the vast network of connections I had built through my previous experiences.

Through countless late-night conversations and passionate pitches, I reached out to many from these diverse backgrounds, urging them to join our cause. As our team began to grow, we faced the exciting yet daunting task of bridging geographical gaps and navigating the complexities of time zones. With members spanning multiple continents, coordination became a logistical challenge.

Working together with our international board of members, we embraced our diverse perspectives. Each person brought a unique blend of ideas, experiences, and cultural influences that added layers of depth to UnifyStem’s mission. Our meetings were a melting pot of creativity, innovation, and collaboration, where spirited discussions sparked a fire of enthusiasm for the shared vision we all held.

The journey of UnifyStem has been a remarkable testament to the strength of the community and the potential of young minds. Moving forward, I am thrilled to keep championing inclusivity and breaking barriers.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a sophomore in high school, my journey into the world of STEM has been nothing short of thrilling and transformative. At first, I wasn’t quite sure what truly ignited my passion, but it all became crystal clear during one unforgettable summer in Taiwan.

I had been visiting Taiwan every summer since I was a child. While these trips were always filled with summer camps, family reunions, and indulging in delicious food, there was something about my last visit that stood out from the rest. I had the chance to spend time with my two older boy cousins, and what they were doing left me utterly mesmerized.

They had set up two computers attached to a robot, and together with a mat, they were embarking on a fascinating journey of teaching it how to move. They used trial and error, constantly learning from the results and making adjustments to improve the robot’s abilities. The enthusiasm and dedication they poured into this project were infectious, and in that moment, I felt an inexplicable connection to STEM.

From that point on, my fascination with coding, technology, and all things technology grew exponentially. As the world faced the challenges of the pandemic, I embraced the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of coding. I spent countless hours immersed in programming languages, tackling coding challenges, and finding joy in every new discovery I made.

But my passion for STEM goes beyond my personal growth. Teaching others has become a profound joy for me. Whether it’s helping my grandparents and aunties in Taiwan troubleshoot their computer issues over Zoom or guiding others through coding projects, the feeling of sharing knowledge and empowering others is immensely rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Email: abbychiang1234@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.unifystem.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unify_stem/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/unifystem