Utah STEM Action Center

The story of North America's first vertical hydroponic greenhouse that not only grows vegetables, but people's abilities too.An accomplished architect by training, Nona Yehia pioneered a way to feed an entire community with fresh produce, while also providing employment for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. She accomplished this alongside her co-founder Caroline Croft-Estay. Yehia conceived the company based on her experiences growing up with a brother with developmental disabilities, love of fresh and local food, obsession with great design and long-standing community involvement. Her organic connection to all aspects of the enterprise continues to fuel Nona’s insight into the business and her dynamic leadership style has led to her recognition as a CNN Champion of Change and Vertical Harvest’s inclusion on Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas List and as a finalist for their Best Places to Work for Innovators - Diverse Innovators Award.

Ruthe Farmer breaks through barriers. She is the founder and CEO of the Last Mile Education Fund . According to its website, it invests in a broader group of students already committed to STEM fields and provides support for challenges they face beyond their control, fostering the next generation of innovators. Farmer and Grandin discuss equity in education and the advice they would give to young people starting careers.

Temple Grandin and David Sands, founder of the Toothpick Project and retired professor of plant pathology (Montana State University) are both problem solvers and trailblazers. That’s just what they do naturally. Through their own life experiences, Grandin and Sands discuss how to help make the education system more amenable to all kinds of minds and skillsets.