FAST FIVE The inspirational Beth Brubaker
Meet Beth Brubaker, a lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity and a wide variety of interests and activities, from horses, dogs and family to hiking, camping, reading and traveling. Beth and her colleague Diane Garmire co-founded the Invent Idaho Invention Convention more than 30 years ago. Beth’s current passion in the area of invention education is “biomimetics,” or nature-inspired inventions.
Generation:
I am definitely a Baby Boomer, but I think as an educator, the kids certainly make you a product of all the modern generations, and staying active keeps you young.
Career and community involvement:
Most of my 40-year career was in the field of Gifted and Talented Education, where I had the opportunity to work with exceptionally talented and creative students in programs such as FIRST Lego League, Destination Imagination and Invent Idaho. Currently, I have the privilege of “working” at North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, though I really can’t call it “work” because every day is a stimulating challenge as I get to engage students in project-based learning.
Parental status:
I am the proud mother of one son, Blake Alfson, who is a graduate of Rice University in Houston, Texas, with a degree in mechanical engineering and an emphasis in aeronautical design. Blake recently married a delightful, talented young lady, Gabby Parker, from San Antonio, Texas, who majored in English and Asian studies at Rice.
As the Invent Idaho Invention Convention reaches more than 30 years, how are you feeling about the program and everything the participants have accomplished through the years?
Diane Garmire and I established the Invent Idaho Invention Convention over 30 years ago. Every year I am astounded by the ingenuity and innovative spirit these young inventors exhibit. I have literally seen Invent Idaho change students’ lives as it opens doors and provides unexpected opportunities for creative young minds to shine. I have heard heartwarming stories from parents about how Invent Idaho made a difference for their child. It had always been my dream to duplicate the Invent Idaho concept throughout the United States, and now, as an affiliate advisory committee member of the National Invention Convention, I have seen young inventors from Idaho win major awards at a national level. I am very appreciative of all the teachers, parents and volunteers who have participated in Invent Idaho over the years.
What is your motivation to encourage and inspire students the way you do, everything from Invent Idaho and Project DaVinci CubeSat to your daily interactions?
I had a teacher in high school, who inspired me to work hard and to dig in deeply to learn everything I could about DNA, which caused me to fall in love with science, specifically biology. I realized that a mentor can make a significant difference in kids’ lives, so I guess that’s my motivation: to inspire kids to find their passion.
3. Why are the STEM fields so important for students to familiarize with, and where do you see STEM professions going in the next 10 years?
STEM fields are so important because they solve real-world problems, such as the current pandemic. Our young inventors today may be those future scientists who address issues such as world hunger. Even if students do not go directly into a STEM profession, the skills they are learning are lifelong skills of communication and problem solving that give them a great foundation in any career they select.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Did you know that I was a second lieutenant in the Air Force, and once had an opportunity to “take the stick” in a T-38 fighter trainer, where I did a barrel roll?
5. If you could have a month off to do whatever you want to do, what would you do and where would you go?
If I can squeeze all the traveling I would like to do into one month, I would go to Bali, New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu in Peru. I can’t wait to see the glow worms in the caves in New Zealand.
