Stem Everyday

Born a patriot, Dr. Leslie Gruis spent 30 years as a mathematician and intelligence officer at the National Security Agency, where she helped develop technology solutions that balanced national security with civil rights. She later served at U.S. Cyber Command and the National Intelligence Council. Now retired, she writes and speaks on privacy, surveillance, and democracy—making complex topics accessible for everyday Americans. Dr. Gruis is the author of Privacy: Past, Present, and Future, The Privacy Pirates, and a forthcoming third book. She also mentors K–12 STEM students, with a special focus on middle school girls.Dr Gruis on math: "In my experience, students rarely struggle with content alone. What they often lack is confidence and context. Many bright students are afraid to try, afraid to fail, or unsure how what they’re learning fits into the real world. The most impactful thing educators can do is show them that problem-solving isn’t about perfection—it’s about curiosity." Dr Gruis on priva