Applications for the 2012 U.S. Space Camp program are available!

The Fish & Richardson U.S. Space Camp Scholarship is an opportunity for three (3) students from SEED Public Charter School to attend U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama from July 29 – August 3, 2012.

To attend, students must be between the ages of 12-14 during the dates that they would be at Space Camp.

The Fish & Richardson U.S. Space Camp Scholarship includes: 

Full tuition to U.S. Space Camp; 

Round trip air fare from Washington, DC to Huntsville, Alabama; 

Transportation to/from the airport in Huntsville, Alabama to Space Camp; 

$250 for expenses; and 

A U.S. Space Camp space suit.

To apply for a U.S. Space Camp scholarship, please contact Mr. Cotton. Applications must be submitted to Mr. Cotton by Thursday, April 26!

Upcoming STEM forum: February 25, 2012 at SEED Public Charter School!

 On Saturday, February 25, 2012 from noon-2pm, the Pursuing A Dream Corporation will be hosting a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) forum at SEED Public Charter School. The forum is an exciting opportunity for students from all grade levels – from middle school to college – to hear from speakers who will discuss the advantages of pursuing STEM degrees and careers.

The forum is open to the public and there will be free food, prizes and a celebration of African American’s contributions to the STEM arena. Students and parents are encouraged to attend the forum and the first ten (10) people to register will receive a free gift from Dave and Busters!

The panelists listed below have been confirmed for the February 25 forum. If you have any questions about the forum, please contact the Pursuing a Dream Corporation at (240) 838-4013.

 Panelists:

Dr. Mescheca Bunyon, Optometrist

Dr. Lauren Davidson, Veterinarian

Dr. William Gordon, Biology

Dr. Vernon Morrison, Environmental Sciences

Marcietta Washington, Engineering

North Carolina Outward Bound - scholarships available!

This week, more than 30 sophomores and juniors met with representatives from North Carolina Outward Bound (NCOB). Since 1967, NCOB has delivered challenging wilderness adventures that teach students more than outdoor skills. Their courses help students discover their leadership abilities, learn the value of teamwork, find inspiration and feel a sense of accomplishment. During the meeting, SEED students Keyana White and Travis Ferrell discussed their recent experiences on NCOB courses and answered questions.

NCOB aims to inspire students to discover and develop their potential to care for themselves, others and the world around them through challenging experiences in unfamiliar settings. NCOB courses are wilderness expeditions designed to propel students into character-building experiences that require digging deep and discovering hidden strengths.

This year, there are two (2) scholarships available for sophomores and juniors to participate in an NCOB course next summer. Scholarships include: airfare to North Carolina, hiking and climbing shoes and other gear that students will need while on course. 

To apply for a scholarship, students must submit an essay (500 words or less) to Mr. Cotton, stating why they want to participate in an NCOB course and what they hope to gain from the experience. Essays are due next Friday, December 16.

SEED Public Charter School's Internship Fair - Tuesday, December 13!

SEED Public Charter School will be hosting our 1^st annual Internship Fair on Tuesday, December 13 from 6:45-8pm! The Internship Fair is an opportunity for SEED seniors (and select juniors) to meet with and learn more about organizations who have agreed to host an intern as part of SEED’s Work and Learn Internship program.

The Work and Learn Internship program allows SEED seniors to gain relevant work experience while also being exposed to, and acquiring those skills that are necessary for them to achieve success in life, in college and in the workplace. In previous years, intern responsibilities have included writing newsletters and blogs, assisting with meeting and event planning, filing, speaking at community meetings, and successfully managing administrative tasks.

 SEED would like to thank the following organizations who have agreed to participate in the Internship Fair:

• Adobe Design Center and Showroom 
• Back on My Feet 
• Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs 
• DC Councilmember Yvette Alexander's Office
• Earl Howard Studios 
• Four Seasons Hotel 
• Hugh & Crye
• Girls on the Run DC
• Groundwork Anacostia River DC
• Levine School of Music @THEARC
•  The Nature Conservancy
• Photopia

If your organization would like to discuss internship opportunities with our seniors or would like to attend the Internship Fair and visit the SEED campus, please contact Keven Cotton.

Semester at The Island School - Marcus Murphy

 

 When I was a sophomore, I applied to The Island School in Cape Eleuthera, Bahamas. In the beginning I thought I was not going to get accepted because I had a few struggles that year. In fact, it was during my sophomore year that I strongly considered leaving SEED Public Charter School and I threw away my Island School application. However, I decided that SEED was the best place for me and as fate would have it, I completed and submitted the last remaining application.

Over the next few months, I nervously waited for a letter from The Island School to see if I got denied or accepted into their program. I kept telling myself that I was going and one week when I went home, there was a letter from The Island School waiting for me! Nervously, I opened the letter and it said, “Congratulations, you have been accepted to the Spring 2011 Semester program at the Island School!” I now had an opportunity to study abroad and see a different world outside of SEED and Washington, DC.

 For me, the Island School was an experience of a lifetime. I had never lived away from home for four months and had never traveled as far away as the Caribbean. My first day at The Island School was a little shaky because I arrived a day late and I thought I missed out on the entire experience. My mind was racing and I wondered if my classmates would like me or acknowledge that I was part of the semester program. All of those worries disappeared as soon as my roommate Aidan spoke to me and from that point forward, everyone spoke to me and treated me like I was part of the community.

 While I thought that life would be difficult after arriving to The Island School a day late, I felt even worse when I found out that I couldn’t swim as well as I thought I could. Sure enough, those feelings about not being a part of the community began to resurface. To my relief, The Island School community was extremely supportive of me learning how to swim and they practiced with me and showed me many techniques that I will always remember and cherish. Dave Burnham, my swim coach and friend believed in me so much during my half-marathon swim in May. I swam four miles and he swam with me. The half-marathon started off rough but I was able to finish in 3 hours and 45 minutes! Completing the half-marathon was definitely one of the greatest accomplishments of my semester.

 

I recommend The Island School not only because is it located in the Bahamas, but the atmosphere is so warm and welcoming and it is definitely paradise. I went to The Island School scared and afraid to leave DC but once I arrived, I took on the different challenges like running, swimming, scuba diving, being alone on the beach for 48 hours, and making new friends. All those components made my semester wonderful and I truly encourage people to apply to The Island School and experience the beautiful island and people for themselves.

My Experience at Camp Echo Hill - ShaQuan Moore

   

When I first arrived at Echo Hill Camp, it looked like a military base. We slept in a tent and we had bug nets to protect us from the bugs. I had five other roommates, Josh, Christian, Tavis, Austin, and NBB. I also had two counselors, Tim and Nick.

There were plenty of activities available at Echo Hill Camp, including: basketball, tennis, paintball, pellets, archery, crabbing, fishing, sailing, kayaking, bageling, water skiing, wake, knee, and belly boarding, swimming, arts, music, ultimate Frisbee and swamp mucking. While participating in these activities, I won a few awards, including: Land sports, Land sports king, fishing, bageling and 3^rd class waterskiing, wake and knee boarding. The awards were different because they weren’t made out of metal – they were made out of wood. That was so amazing that they could make awards out of wood!

I had a great experience while at Echo Hill Camp. Everything – from the counselors, the activities, the campers, the two formal dances, and the food – everything was great!

On our last day, we were awakened at 2:00am to go to Echo Ring. Echo Ring is when we all sit around and the counselors told us one by one their experience as a counselor. Not once while I was away did I get homesick. But, after all the packing, the ride back home, greeting and seeing my mom and all of the hugs and kisses, it was good to be home.

 Thank you SEED Public Charter School for giving me this most wonderful experience!