Ms. Shalane Hairston

STEM Instructor

B.S. Physics and Mathematics; North Carolina Central University

Shalane Hairston is a Physics and Mathematics graduate of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and currently serves as the Mechatronics and Engineering Instructor at George Washington High School.

With a strong foundation in physics principles and applied mathematics, she is passionate about helping students bridge the gap between theory and real-world engineering applications. In her classroom, students explore manufacturing processes, robotics, and design challenges—including competitive CO₂ dragster projects that integrate physics, precision fabrication, and creative problem-solving.

She is committed to cultivating innovation, technical skill development, and confidence in the next generation of engineers.

Contact Information:  shalane.hairston94@gmail.com

Course Description:   This interactive course introduces students to the fundamentals of aerodynamics and engineering design through the creation of CO₂-powered dragster cars. Students will explore how forces such as drag and friction influence motion while applying mathematical concepts like speed, measurement, and data analysis to improve performance. Through a hands-on, iterative design process, students will sketch, build, test, and refine their cars using real engineering practices, including wind tunnel testing. The course concludes with a final race competition where students analyze results and defend their design choices using scientific and mathematical reasoning.

Link to Canvas Course (You will only have access if you are taking this course)

Dr. Hatajai Lassiter/ (Dra. Hatajai Lassiter)

Assistant Professor of Biology, UNC Charlotte

B.S. Biological Sciences, Minor: Spanish, North Carolina State University

M.S. Biology, North Carolina Central University

Ph.D. Microbiology, Howard University

Hatajai Lassiter is an Assistant Professor at UNC Charlotte, where she instructs Biology/Microbiology lectures and labs and conducts Infectious Disease research. She also served as an Assistant Professor at James Madison University and an Adjunct Instructor at North Carolina Central University and Guilford Technical Community College.  She has a sincere passion for instruction while having fun and mentoring students. Her favorite activities are playing sports, listening to music, riding her motorcycle, and playing/chilling with her new rescue doggie, Sir Dante. 

Contact Information:  microphd2019@gmail.com

Course Description:  In this course, students will be provided medical case studies and will be tasked to isolate the patient's sample, characterize and identify the suspected pathogen. Experimentation will include: cell culture/Isolation Streak, Gram Stain, microscopy, aerotolerance, differential/selective media, antimicrobial susceptibility test, and Bergey's Manual identification. 

Link to Canvas Course (You will only have access if you are taking this course)

Mr. Nate Myers

STEM Instructor

B.S. Science Technology and Society, Minor: Arts Entrepreneurship, North Carolina State University

Mr. Nate Myers  is originally from Kingstree, SC and moved to Raleigh in 2007 to attend NC State University, where began as a mechanical engineering major before switching to a Science Technology and Society major.  During college,  he interned with NASA at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, and studied abroad in both Ghana and Australia.  

Mr. Myers has been working with youth over the past 10 years, running music production programs at Boys and Girls Clubs, and teaching at various schools in Raleigh, Durham, and Rocky Mt.  He has also taught with Duke TIP, and has been teaching STEM related courses and computer science for the past several years.  Mr. Myers got married in November 2021, and  enjoys spending time with his wife and our 3 year old daughter. 

Mr. Myers enjoys playing sports including basketball, baseball, and particularly golf, reading, everything Star Wars.  He plays piano and is teaching himself the bass guitar.

Contact Information:  nategmyers3@gmail.com

Course Description:  In an era where technology is moving faster than ever, how do we ensure the future is built with a human heart? AI & Empathy is a high-energy, hands-on course designed for rising 9th graders to explore the intersection of cutting-edge technology and human-centered design. Students will transition from being passive consumers of AI to active creators who understand the weight of the digital decisions they make. Using design thinking principles and the microbit, students will learn how to train their own bot and how decisions around data can impact various stakeholders.

Link to Canvas Course (You will only have access if you are taking this course)