9 minute read
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
SUMMER SAILING IN BALTIMORE’S INNER HARBOR
LLinda McClelland, Cynthia Jackson, Valerie Hawkins, Yvonne Oliver, and Claudia Johnson have over 10,000 hours of community service between them and more than 100 years of promoting student access into the science, technology, engineering, math, music and art (STEMMA) pipeline. But in the now famous words of
Brown University biologist Andrew G. Campbell, they’re not just “stuffing the pipeline and walking away.”
This summer, the party of five — three science and technology middle school teachers, a school social worker and social studies educator — stepped up their shared optimism for engaging students in the pleasures of science. The women are all board members and volunteers of You Make A Difference STEMMA Inc., an organization focused on exposing underrepresented young people in grades 3-12 to experiences that inspire them to pursue careers related to STEMMA fields.
In July, members of You Make A Difference, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., the Nu Sigma Sigma Chapter, and Maryland MESA, partnered with the Baltimore Downtown Sailing Center to give diverse children an experience of a lifetime. The summer sailing camp ran from July 7-11, 2014 with 22 Baltimore city and county public and private school students.
“Our students came from different outreach programs for one week of STEM activities. It’s our goal to create a seamless pipeline for 4th-7th graders to embrace their responsibility with our waterways using STEM activities,” explained Mrs. Claudia Johnson, vice president, You Make A Difference STEMMA Inc. “I’m currently a member of the Downtown Sailing Club and my goal is to increase minority membership. I’d love to have a sponsor such as the Navy or the Coast Guard for our sailing program.”
Johnson was born at Fort Hood, a U.S. military post in Killeen, Texas, and spent a part of her childhood on another base in Monterey, California, watching whales. She is now in her 19th year of teaching reading and computer applications in Baltimore County schools and is a longtime Maryland MESA advisor. MESA, a 3-12 science, technology, engineering, and math initiative, works to identify and support students — specifically minority and female students, in order to prepare them to matriculate and graduate with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Last summer, Johnson contacted the Baltimore Downtown Sailing Center at the Baltimore Museum of Industry and met with Lynn Handy, the executive director, about bringing some students for an “Introduction to Sailing Day!” Handy told Johnson the REACH Sailing Program was offering a day’s training and she asked to include two other volunteers, Mrs. Hawkins and Ms. McClelland. McClelland recently retired after 40 years of teaching Earth and space science and computer applications in Baltimore County schools and Hawkins still teaches computer technology.
“It took several partnerships to make this work,” Johnson said. The group included the Downtown Sailing Center Baltimore, You Make a Difference STEMMA Inc. L.A.C.E. Girls Program, Maryland MESA and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and the Nu Sigma Sigma Beta Club.
Highlights of the 2014 Sailing Camp included activities from the U.S. Sailing REACH STEM curriculum. REACH utilizes sailing as an educational platform combining educators, sailing instructors, engineers, and scientists with today’s youth to provide them with a one-of-a-kind learning experience, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a cooperative work environment. Water safety, measuring wind, buoyancy, sail area and perimeter, simple machines on sailboats, upwind sailing angles, and water quality testing were just some of the experiences enjoyed by the campers, Johnson said. All of which will prepare students for certification on the water. Students also learn to work as a team and build confidence.
“The activities were very engaging and the students were involved and motivated,” Oliver said.
“The students had the opportunity to learn how to sail the boats as well as participating in several hands-on STEM activities related to sailing,” Jackson added.
“Many youth do not have the opportunity to experience and explore a unique activity such as sailing,” said Hawkins, who is currently director of communications and media for You Make a Difference and a Maryland MESA coordinator. Hawkins was a 2013 Women of Color K-12 Promotion of Education Award winner.
“In partnership with the Baltimore Downtown Sailing Center, You Make a Difference provided students the
dream of becoming sailors. Understanding water and wind currents, along with the engineering design of sailboats, our students were enriched with a new knowledge of being on the water. This was an experience that I am sure they will never forget.” “Twenty-two students were able to attend a one-week sailing camp for a minimal cost due to a generous grant provided by Lynn Handy. Next summer we hope to increase this opportunity to 50 students,” Johnson noted.
by Lango Deen, ldeen@ccgmag.com
Congratulations to Tiffany Palmer Logan for her recognition as a technology rising star!
ACT NOW. BE BOLD. STAY TRUE.
To learn more about the opportunities Cox Automotive has for professionals in the STEM field please visit
www.CoxAutoInc.com/find-a-job
Cox Automotive is proud to support the 2014 Women of Color STEM Conference.
$6.95
& INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Spring 2014 $6.95 INSIDE
DEPARTMENTS
La Vista Energy is Propelling to A Better Future
$6.95 Role Models in Pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Technologia del Mundo Latin America has good news for 2014 STEM grads
The Next Level Jobs and Opportunities in health care
Book Review What top STEM professionals are reading
GROWING NEXT GENERATION STEM
CHANGES: LATINO, NATIVE AMERICAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN TECHNICAL ORGANIZATIONS LEAD THE WAY MORE DIVERSITY IN ITS S&T RANKS Celebrating 28 Years of Modern STEM Brilliance
INVESTING IN AMERICAN VETERANS WHO’S HIRING. WHERE THE JOBS ARE. HOW YOU CAN GET THEM. BEYA Winners, Special Recognition & Emerald Honorees, Science Trailblazers USBE&IT Conference Edition 2014 www.blackengineer.com
www.hispanicengineer.com
HESpring14cover.indd 1 5/9/14 12:22 PM $6.95
Stephanie C. Hill President, Information Systems & Global Solutions Civil product line Lockheed Martin Corporation
The Minds that Drive Science and Technology
Up and Coming: Modern-Day Tech Leaders
Download our magazines directly from the Apple iTunes Store
Create Your New Space With Lowe’s
The excitement of summer has come to an end and now you’re thinking of a great way to welcome fall into your home. What better time than now is there to renovate your space? Redecorating may not always be as cost effective as we like, but Lowe’s offers the most affordable and practical ways to renovate your space. Lowe’s fall collection offers the perfect complements to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. With various accessories such as artwork, vases, lamps, and rugs, you’ll be living comfortably in your space in no time. Check out the items below to get a head start on your new project.
Lamp: allen + roth Grey Smoke Glass Lamp, #473664
Storage Cube: allen + roth 17x17-in Sorrento Woven Storage Cube with Hinged Lid, #594004
Throw: allen + roth 50x60-in Ivory Polyester Throw, #592793 Storage Bin: allen + roth Grey Fabric Bin, #8380
Rug: allen + roth 24x36-in Plaid Neutral Rug, #472392 Vase: allen + roth Clear Vase with Rattan, #593686
WORK AT AN EXCEPTIONAL COLLEGE
Bellevue College offers excellent job opportunities for faculty, administration and staff members. We provide great employee benefits, reduced tuition and a friendly work environment.
Bellevue is the 5th largest city in Washington where 40% of the population is of a minority race or ethnicity, 33% are multi-lingual and 60% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our campus is just 15 minutes from the creative hub of downtown Seattle with its thriving economy, renowned cultural scene and exceptional year-round recreational opportunities. Home to world-class pacesetters like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Starbucks, T-Mobile, Nintendo and Boeing. We are also 15 minutes from the natural beauty of the mountains and the Puget Sound. And just 15 minutes in another direction from the home of the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks. Bellevue College is a vibrant, innovative, inclusive campus community. We strive to offer our students an educational experience that reflects the diverse perspectives found in their future working environments. As the third largest higher-ed institution in Washington State, we open the door to more than 37,000 students each year. We’re a student-focused open-access institution, placing a strong emphasis on excellent teaching and small class sizes. ❱ Basic Skills, Running Start, Worker Retraining, & Continuing Education ❱ Six Bachelor’s Degrees with more in the pipeline ❱ Transfer Programs & Associate’s Degrees ❱ Professional & Technical Degrees & Certificates
www.bellevuecollege.edu/jobs
imagine the po ibilities . . .
is the second oldest public institution of higher education in Texas. Offering baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 41 master’s degrees and four doctoral programs, the University has an established reputation for producing thousands of engineers, nurses, educators and corporate leaders. Since 1876, PVAMU has been dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research and service.
The Roy G. Perry College of Engineering (COE) has distinguished itself as a premier program at Prairie View A&M University, maintaining a reputation for integrating theoretical knowledge with advanced hands-on industry experience. Many of its graduates are employed throughout the business and technological communities through Fortune 500 companies and as successful entrepreneurs. Overall, the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering produces graduates who are equipped to exercise a competitive advantage in today’s critical engineering disciplines.
COE Degree Programs
Chemical Engineering........BSCHE*, MSENGR Civil and Environmental Engineering ........................BSCE*, MSENGR Computer Science..............BS*, MSCS Computer Information Systems...............................MSCIS Computer Engineering.......BSCPEG* Electrical Engineering........BSEE*, MSEE, PhD Mechanical Engineering....BSME*, MSENGR Computer Engineering Technology..........................BSCET* Electrical Engineering Technology..........................BSEET*
*All Undergraduate Programs Are Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Certified
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering
