Stem Up

Stem Up is an initiative designed to integrate Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) career pathways into schools and local communities, to increase and expand America’s home-grown technical talent.

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stem up awareness campaign

A message from the STEM-Up Artist Alliance Chair:

“A solid education has long been recognized as the surest way to secure our community’s future prosperity. But in this new global economy, simply staying in school, or going to college, are no longer enough. The careers of tomorrow will require strong Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills, and the foundation for those skills must be laid at the community and family levels. That’s why I’ve teamed with STEM-Up to united Artists to spread this message.” Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas

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Maria de la Torre

COMPANY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

TITLE: Lead Emergency Management
Specialist, EM Branch Baltimore, MD District

Ms. Maria E. de la Torre was born in Quito, Ecuador and came to the United States with her family at a very young age. She attended school
in Fairfax, Virginia and after graduating from high school, entered the Environmental Science program at Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia.

Maria’s goal was to work with the environment and have a career in something she loved to do, so she decided to Major in Environmental Science. She knew that if she studied what she loved, the jobs would follow. Maria found the perfect place to work, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Maria has worked with the USACE Baltimore District for over 16 years. She is still amazed at the opportunities and the diversity of projects she works with. Her job allows
her to utilize her degree and put into action what her parents taught her – to work hard, be accountable and trustworthy, appreciate the opportunities that the United States has to offer, and to have compassion for others. Working for the USACE and now as Chief of the
Emergency Management Branch, she sees first-hand what a positive impact human beings can have in cleaning up and protecting the environment as well as helping others in time of need after devastating events, whether natural or man-made.

Maria serves as a USACE Debris Specialist, and serves on the Baltimore District’s Dam Safety Committee and Levee Safety Program Committee. In her spare time, Maria loves running and is in her fifth year as group leader for a marathon program. Maria volunteers as a Science Fair judge and Career Day speaker at local middle schools, and has run on the District’s Army Ten Miler team.