There's a good chance you recognize Mayim Bialik from CBS' current hit series The Big Bang Theory, where she plays the brilliant and influential neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler. But for those who prefer more nostalgic shows, then you most definitely know her as Blossom from the '90s TV series of the same name. Now, the Emmy-nominated actress is bringing her talent to another important cause. Mayim Bialik and Texas Instruments are joining forces for a back to school campaign, the #ilyTIcontest, where they're encouraging students to embrace their love of education and all things technology. And, in particular, doing the important job of connecting a female face with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects. "Our back to school campaign this year is the ilyTI campaign," Bialk explains via phone. "We're asking students and teachers to submit positive images of themselves showing why and how they love and use their TI technology."
For those unaware, Texas Instruments is known for their calculators. I fondly remember using my TI graphic calculator all throughout high school. Anyways, this particular contest asks students to post a video or photo posing with their TI and explain with they love their calculator, after which they are automatically entered to win a chance to meet Bialik. For the 39-year-old actress, the contest is extremely meaningful and a great way for her to help change the stigmas that come with school and technology.
She says, "I've been working with Texas Instruments, gosh, for over three years now. I do a lot of STEM advocacy and so I really enjoy working with them and trying to put a positive face and a female face on science and technology and engineering and math."
As a powerful female voice in both the entertainment business and education world, it's not surprising that Bialik wants to showcase that women, too, can be passionate about these subjects. After all, she herself has a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has noticed that people are less afraid than ever to let their nerdy sides shine — and that's a great thing. She says,
There's not a way to make things, for example "cool" if nobody thinks that they are, right? I think what we're seeing is that, fortunately, more and more young people are unafraid to embrace their inner geek or their inner nerd or to be honest about what moves them as students. Obviously, that's what this campaign is sort of trying to capitalize on.
Bialik also wants young people to know that, if you're feeling lonely because of your so-called "nerdy" interests, it will get better. She explains,
But, you know, I think that there are a lot of us who are really into school or into subjects that most people aren't into, it can feel kind of lonely. There are ways that it does get better. As you get older, it gets better. When you meet more people like you, it gets better. One of the important things about the work I've done with Texas Instruments is to try and encourage young people to learn about other sides of science and technology and math that they may not have thought of before, so there's less of that stigma.
Basically, the actress' message is never be ashamed for your passions and always embrace who you are, and that's a great thing for any young student — male or female — to hear. Oh, and if you want to meet Bialik yourself and let the world know how much you love school and technology, be sure to enter the #ilyTIcontest before it ends on Sept. 18.
Image: Texas Instruments
