Charles Drew Morning of Discovery - Opportunity for Middle School students to learn about STEM Careers!

“Are minority youth ‘STEM-phobic’ – are they fearful of studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)?” This is a question that several organizations hope to dispel by encouraging middle school students to study and prepare to enter vital and lucrative careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Their upcoming event, the Charles Drew Morning of Discovery, will take place on Saturday, May 5 from 8am-2:30pm at:

Metropolitan AME Church

1518 M St., NW.

Washington, DC 20005

The Charles Drew Morning of Discovery forum will give students an opportunity to explore their interests in science with “Hands-on” science activities, participate in workshops, and meet and talk to African-American scientists from the local area.

Students can register online at: http://morningofdiscovery-eorg.eventbrite.com/ and select the professional workshop that they are most interested in pursuing. Workshops will be led by Pharmacists, Chemists, Physicists, Microbiologists, Nutritionists, Dentists, Dental Hygienists, and Nurses.

Paid internship at the Smithsonian! Applications due April 1!

 

Since launching in 2010, the Youth Engagement through Science (YES!) internship program has connected local youth with Smithsonian collections, experts, and training to inspire them to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. This internship experience provides youth from communities traditionally underrepresented in science careers with the resources needed to help them to achieve their ultimate goal of attending college.

During six weeks in the summer, students who participate in YES! work side-by-side with Smithsonian researchers and educators behind the scenes and away from the public areas of the museum. Interns are given the unique opportunity to work in the Museum’s vast research collections where they see rare objects and specimens, including meteorites, mummies, and mammoth skulls!

Over the course of the internship, YES! interns acquire valuable technological skills and enhance their written and verbal communication abilities through guided workshops. Working with Museum educators, they help visitors experience the Museum in interactive ways.

In early fall, interns attend a ten-week college preparatory program that rounds out the third component of the YES! program. Students will be guided through the college application and orientation process in sessions covering a variety of topics. Interns will also tour local colleges to help them prepare for their pursuit of higher learning. To continue refining their communication skills, students will resume their rotations in the exhibit halls.

The YES! program aims to form a bridge between the Smithsonian Institution and students interested in STEM careers by providing new avenues for them to understand and participate in scientific pursuits at the next level.

Applications for the 2012 YES! program are currently available and are due April 1, 2012. To apply, visit https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/SOLAAHome.html and create an account. Once you create an account and log-in, click “Search for Program.” Next to “Office/Museum/Research Center,” is a drop-down box; select “National Museum of Natural History” from the list. Next to “Program that you wish to apply for,” there is another drop-down box. Select “Youth Engagement Through Science” from the list. You can now begin completing your application.

The program is open only to students who are currently in the 9^th-11^th grade and the stipend will be awarded to students only upon completion of both the summer and fall sessions.

For a complete list of application requirements, including transcripts, recommendations, and the essay topic, please visit: http://www.mnh.si.edu/education/yes/program_components.html.

Register for the 2012 Young Women's Conference on Non-Traditional Careers!

 

Young women who are currently in the 8^th grade through their 1^st year in college are invited to explore non-traditional careers at the 6^th Annual Young Women’s Conference on Non-Traditional Careers!

The conference will be held on Friday, March 16, 2012 from 9:30am – 3:00pm at the:

Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University

800 Florida Avenue, NE

Washington, DC 20002

Conference attendees will have an opportunity to meet successful women in non-traditional careers, including: Technology, Aerospace, Architecture, Bio-Medicine, and other fields. Participants will also learn about the importance and role that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will have on their futures.

During the conference, there will an opportunity to:

Interact with robots, and their creators; and

Learn more about Career & Technical Education in DC.

The conference is FREE and pre-registration is required. Registration must be completed by

March 14, 2012. 

Breakfast and Lunch will be provided (breakfast and badge pick-up starts at 8am).

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

Upcoming STEM forum THIS Saturday, September 17!

This Saturday, September 17 from 12-2pm, the Pursuing A Dream Corporation will be hosting a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) forum in the Visiting Center of the Montebello Complex in room D118 at Morgan State University.

The forum is an opportunity for students from all grade levels – from middle school to college – to learn about the advantage of pursuing degrees and careers in STEM related fields. The forum is open to the public and students and their parents are encouraged to attend.

In an effort to increase student attendance, the first ten students will receive a free gift from Dave and Buster's and parents can win a free meal at Outback Steakhouse! The Pursuing a Dream Corporation has also received product donations from the following companies:

• Costco
• Dave and Buster's
• Outback Steakhouse
• Wegmans

If you have any questions about the forum, send an email to: info@pursuingadreamcorp.org or
contact Mr. Cotton for an event flyer.

Paid internships for 9th and 10th graders who are interested in Science!

The National Museum of Natural History is committed to helping youth develop the science skills necessary to be competitive in today’s knowledge-based society. Rising 10^th & 11^th grade students from the Washington, DC area who have an interest in science are invited to apply for a paid internship through the Youth Engagement through Science (YES!) program. The goals of the program are to:

• Help participants build their science and communication skills;
• Allow participants to explore careers in science by working side by side with scientists; and
• Prepare for the next step in their education through a college preparation course.

 

The YES! Summer program meets 5 days/week for 6-weeks and will take place from  

June 27 – August 5, 2011.

During the program, interns will pursue meaningful research projects with Smithsonian research scientists and science staff in the biological, geological, and anthropological disciplines. Interns will also receive training and mentoring in communication skills and in communicating about science, and they will prepare and present an activity for visitors to the National Museum of Natural History.

Students will also engage in college preparation planning and activities, including visits to college campuses, speaking with admissions counselors, and taking the SAT.

Applicants must:

•  Be a current freshman or sophomore in high school. 
• Be a US citizen or permanent US resident. 
• Live in the Washington, DC metropolitan region (DC, MD or VA).
• Participate in both the summer and fall sessions of the program (Fall Sessions will be held on Saturdays from September 24 – November 11, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

 A complete application package (includes):

• Completed application form;
• 500 word essay (see application);
• Copy of high school transcript;
• Letter of recommendation; and a
• Signed Parent/Guardian Consent Form.

 There are two ways to submit the application.

Email the application to Elio Cruz.

You can also mail the application to:

Elio Cruz
National Museum of Natural History
P.O. Box 37012
Education & Outreach, MRC #158Washington, DC 20013-7012

Applications must be submitted no later than  

April 2, 2011.

 

If you have any questions about this program or the application procedures, please contact: Elio Cruz at (202) 633-0815.

Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program - Applications due January 7, 2011!

The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides an opportunity for students to participate in research at a Department of Navy (DoN) laboratory during the summer.

SEAP places academically talented high school students who have an interest and ability in science and mathematics as apprentices in DoN laboratories for eight weeks during the summer. These students work with scientists and engineers who will also serve as mentors. The program offers students a unique and positive experience in their fields of interest, thus encouraging them to pursue careers in science and engineering.

The apprentice program is designed to:

• Encourage students to pursue science and engineering careers;
• Acquaint qualified high school students with the activities of Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories through summer science and engineering research experiences;
• Provide students with opportunities in and exposure to scientific and engineering practice and personnel not available in their school environment;
• Expose students to DoN research and engineering activities and goals in a way that encourages a positive image and supportive attitude toward the defense community; and
• Prepare students to serve as positive role models for their peers by encouraging other high school students to take more science and math courses.
  

 To be eligible for the SEAP program, students should have completed at least grade 9 (graduating seniors are eligible to apply) and must be 16 years of age (although some laboratories may accept a 15 year-old applicant).

As part of the SEAP program, participating students will spend 8 weeks during the summer doing research. The program dates are fixed and cannot be changed and students are expected to participate in 8 continuous weeks – no vacation time is allowed during these eight weeks.

SEAP strongly recommends that students apply to laboratories that are close to their residence as no travel or relocation allowances will be provided.

Participating students will receive $3,075 for the 8 week program that will be paid in two installments.

Applications are due on January 7, 2011 at 5:30 pm EST and the deadline for references is
January 14, 2011.