Engaging K-12 Students in Scientific Research As a Part of Career Exploration

One of our programs is the Experimental Design Program, which provides math and science fair project support to K-12 students and educators. This program teaches students how to design and conduct experiments for math and science fairs. They utilize research, laboratory and scientific literacy skills gained through individual and group learning opportunities as well as mentoring. This program improves the quantity and quality of math and science fair projects for students by providing schools with undergraduate students, graduate students and professional mentors with science technology, engineering and math backgrounds.

Engaging students in scientific research during their secondary education is a wonderful opportunity for STEM career exploration. When engaging the students in research they get an opportunity to get full exposure to what most STEM professionals that have a traditional career path, engage in research. When working on a research project, they are answering questions, learning about scientific concepts and principles, reading the work of other STEM professionals, learning laboratory and research techniques. They also learn valuable scientific literacy skills of reading, writing and talking science. If they enjoy research while they are a K-12 student, they will hopefully make steps to pursue a STEM career. If they don't enjoy research, they will learn valuable skills that they can transfer to any career path they chose. The great thing about K-12 student exploring career at any early age is that they can back better decisions and steps towards pursue their desired career path

Why is STEM such a hot topic right now?

In 2005, when SEM Link was founded there wasn't much talk about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);nor was there such a focus on math and science education. The focus in education was the basics the three R's- reading, riting (writing) and rithmetic (arithmetic) and test scores. But now the tides have turned and everyone is talking about STEM and math and science education. Although I am not sure why, I have noticed several changes in how STEM and STEM education is viewed and the resources that have been poured into by corporations, government agencies and nonprofits.

As the world economy is becoming more global, the United States is realizing that if we want to remain a global superpower some things have to change. Some of the countries that are emerging as leaders in our global economy have strong math and science education and a strong STEM sector. Therefore part of this buzz about math and science is realizing that the innovation of society is dependent of STEM. If we want to have a strong STEM sector, it starts with the quality of the math and science education we provide to our youth.

Secondly, the leadership of the country changed. Yes, President Obama is a strong supporter of math and science education. He has made one of the focuses of his administration and has made several speeches about its importance. But in the past few years, corporations and government agencies are realizing that the current STEM workforce is preparing to retire soon and there isn't anyone in the pipeline to replace them. Therefore, corporations and government agencies have been pouring resources into K-16 education to ensure there is a future pipeline for the STEM workforce. What they also have realized is that the current STEM workforce isn't a reflection of our diverse society. Therefore there are resources targeted towards encouraging historically underrepresented populations to pursue STEM careers.

Finally, there are efforts to make pursuing STEM careers cool for children. I read a press release today about a campaign to promote Rock Stars of Science. I would have never put rock stars and science together. In addition, many celebrities such as Mos Def and Mary J. Blige have been involved in campaign to encourage youth to pursue STEM careers.
I'm very excited that STEM careers are being pushed because I truly believe if you want to look at the strength of a nation and its economy, you can look at the strength of the STEM sector. I just want to be sure that we do all we can to "unveil potential through exposure" and create the pipeline for the future STEM workforce.

End of the Year Educational Check In

Is almost December and the school year is progressing fast. Do you know how your children are doing in school? The holidays are a great time for you to check in with your child(ren) and their teachers to see where they are as far in their grades and what they are learning in all subjects, but especially math and science. If they are doing well, it is a great time to encourage them to continue to great job. Find fun ways over the holidays and every day to keep the excited, engaged and learning math and science. Whether it is finding online games, visiting your local science museums or engaging in math and science related events in your community. If they are not doing well, it is plenty of time for them to recover and do well the rest of the year. Find out from them the areas in which they are struggling and make time for them to review the concepts with you. In addition, find educational support for them to ensure they are able to get the concepts whether it is teaching them study skills, finding tutorial support with online homework help or tutorial support, or finding hands on activities to help them grasp the concepts. Whatever, it is don't let your child continue to struggle in math and science when it is plenty of time to recover and do well.

In addition, to ensuring that your child is doing well with coursework, it is important that you prepare them for standardized test. Testing season is around the corner, it is important that you get involved in your child's standardized test preparation because unfortunately the educational climate is one where we are teaching to the test instead of encouraging lifelong learning. So if you want your child to learn the concepts beyond the test, you must be involved in their test preparation. The school can provide you with old test or practice test and some states even have the content for standardized test on the department of education's website. Not only ensure that your child understand the concepts on the test, but practice with them in testing conditions. Many children don't do well on standardized test not because they don't know the material, because they haven't mastered finishing questions in a certain time frame.

Our children won't have the ability to pursue STEM careers if they aren't academically prepared to do so. So let's do what we can to ensure that our children are achieving and excelling academically in math and science. We can't rely on the schools alone to educate our children. Learning must take place inside and outside of the classroom.

STEM Education: Connect Academics to Careers

Over the past few years, there has been a focus on math and science education and STEM. Since President Obama has been in office, it seems like almost everyone is jumping on the "how important math and science education is and/or we need our kids to help us create our future STEM workforce" bandwagon. It seems like more resources are being put into enhancing math and science education programs. However, with all this attention on math and science, people are really not paying attention to the hows and whys we have gotten to this point in education and in our economy.

If you pay attention to economies of the world's wealthiest countries; they have a strong educational system where there kids excel academically in all or most disciplines. The reason why education is linked to a strong economy because it is with education that you are able to have workforce that has the skills for the jobs in your economy. When the United States had a strong economy and was the global leader, we had a great educational system. However, now the current state of our educational system is that students aren't graduating with the skills for the jobs that are currently available in our economy. There are various reasons for this, however my main theory behind this is not enough kids or parents think about their future as it relates to connecting their education with their future careers.

I remember when was growing up, I remember always knowing that I was going to get good grades so I can go to college and get a good job. But even my peers, who didn't have any aspirations to go to college, had some plan in mind for a career, job or business after high school graduation. However, today's kids and parents are missing that connection to their education and their place in the future workforce and it takes place in all socioeconomic levels. So why people are asking where are all the jobs going? The question they should be asking is I am preparing myself and my children to become a part of jobs that are available in the current and future economy?

The great thing about STEM is that this is a sector that never disappears from any economy. STEM professional have been around since the beginning of time coming up with solutions to make our lives easier, solve the major problems of the time period and create innovation. There are jobs being added to the STEM sector daily and unfortunately many of them go unfilled. The reason why they are going unfilled is because we aren't preparing our children to pursue STEM careers. The great thing about education is that is is not only a tool to train and equip students with skills, but it opens one's eyes to see the possibilities. If we are going to have a future STEM workforce, we have to not only give our kids the skills to academically achieve in math and science, but allow them to see the possibility of having a career in those fields.

When and where are our kids learning science?

Over the past few years, I have been realizing that not all kids are receiving a quality science education like I did when I was in school. I have memories of conducting science experiments both at home and in school as early as elementary school. However, I am realizing that kids today don't have the same opportunities that I did which seems like yesterday, when I was a child.

I have been spending time in schools and realizing that kids aren't engaged in enough hands on science or science that is relevant to them that makes them interested in science. I was having a conversation with a 5th grader and he was talking about what he learned in science class that day. What they learned bored me to death, they were talking about a scientist that is dead and technology that is obsolete. I know that science history is an important part of science, but kids should be learning something that is relevant and current and about scientists that are alive today. But thing that I was grateful was that at least this student was learning science.

In most state curriculum the core subjects are language arts, math, social studies and science. However,there are studies that show that elementary students don't always get an adequate amount of science as a part of their curriculum. There are various reasons for this, the main reason is that not enough resources are put into science education because science is rarely on the standardized test that have become a critical part of education. Another reason is not all elementary teachers feel comfortable enough to teach their students science. With elementary school being the foundation for learning in all subject areas, if there is no strong foundation for science how will kids excel when they go to middle and high school. This doesn't create an environment for our kids to excel in science, let alone pursue careers in these fields.

What we are a community have to do is hold the educational systems accountable for ensuring that science has an equal importance as the subjects that are on standardized test. When students academically achieve in science not only do they learn great skill set, but we create a pipeline for the future STEM workforce.

Using Stereotypes to Connect With Our Children and Encourage Them To Achieve in Math and Science

This week I attended a training on Cultural Competency; which is a nutshell is being aware of the diversity of student populations that you serve. This training is mainly given in urban areas because they serve a population of students with a diverse backgrounds. Most individuals in education do it with good intentions because they really want to make a difference in the lives of children, however at times they end up doing more harm than good because they don't understand how to work with children of diverse backgrounds. One of the topics we discussed during this training was stereotypes that are given to various ethnic groups and genders. The trainer stated that at times stereotypes that are simply describe the typical behavior or characteristics of a group, not any of those that are demeaning and degrading, can be used to help you connect with children of that group. Since I am African American and woman, I will use stereotypes with those groups to show how you can use those stereotypes to introduce kids to and help them connect with STEM.

One of the stereotypes for African Americans is that we are fast, good at sports and performing arts. Those stereotypes are true for members of our community because they have been several successful African American athletes and performing artists. However, the reality of the situation is that no matter how good you are in sports or performing arts, a vast minority of the students that have talents in those fields are able to make a decent living or become wealthy from these careers. Therefore we have to allow our students to pursue those interests, but also steer them to pursue other interest towards careers that they can go to college and graduate school to become successful in that career path. In order to help students connect science and math with sports, there are several principles and disciplines of math and science that you can introduce your students to and make a connection between their interests outside of STEM. You can talk about speed, velocity, buoyancy and other principles of physics when describing a variety of sports such as track, football, baseball and basketball. You can also discuss material science and chemistry when discussing how the uniforms, the equipment used and in some cases the field on which in the sports are made. Finally you can discuss biology, nutrition and anatomy and physiology when you discuss how athletes train and prepare their body to excel in sports. While discussing these topics in relation to sports and performing arts, you can not only have great lesson in content but discuss STEM careers that are related to these performing artists and sports such as computer and electrical engineers, material scientists, biologists, sports medicine, physical therapy, etc.

There are so many stereotypes about women, but one of the main ones that sticks in my head is that we are emotional and talk a lot. Although as I woman I hate to admit it, but I can be emotional and chatty at times. However, understanding emotions is part of understanding human behavior and can be great discussion to introducing kids to neuroscience. Neuroscience is so important because it studies, discovers and explains how the brain works and the human brain controls everything about our body and how we operate as humans as a whole and individuals.

One of the things that I love about STEM is that it is the basis for and is connected to everything in our society. Unfortunately, we don't have enough discussions with our children about those connections. Even with my STEM background there are some part of STEM that don't interest me. However, when I can see the connection between STEM and things that I use everyday or that I can relate to, it keeps me reading and interested in STEM. For example, someone very close to me is fighting cancer. Currently nanotechnology is being used in the treatment of cancer and is doing a great job to help people including this person that is close to me have a successful cancer treatment. However, I remember hearing about nanotechnology about 10 years ago, while I was in college. A person in my network got his PhD in chemical engineering and his expertise was in nanotechnology. At the time, he was working for Kodak and everytime he talked about nanotechnology it went over my head and I wasn't interested. There are several programs that are teaching kids about computer science and program through the development of mobile phone applications. I am pretty sure that some of these students are learning about their passion and expertise for computer science through the real world application of such as a mobile phone. When we "unveil potential through exposure" for students to academically achieve in math and science and explore STEM careers, we must make a connection between STEM and their everyday lives.

The importance of relationship building in math and science education

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much"-Helen Keller. When I came across this quote today in my Twitter timeline, I thought this is a powerful statement. This quote is so applicable to many aspects of life. What this quote made me think about is how important relationships are to achieving our goals. Everyone has things they want to accomplish in life. But no matter how driven you are, you can't do it alone. Since our focus as an organization is promoting student achievement and career exploration in math and science for K-12 students; I want to talk about the important of relationship building in math and science education.

Academic achievement in math and science is determined by what students are exposed to and their performance inside of the classroom. Nowadays, we have put so much responsibility on the schools to educate our children with little accountability other than test scores. If you look at test scores, you will see that our children aren't achieving in math and science. Yes, we can say many things about the schools, but part of the problem is the lack of parental involvement in most schools. If you look at the test scores of schools that are performing well on standardized tests and/or are well known for a great curriculum; those schools have strong parental involvement. The first relationship that needs to be established in order for children to achieve academically in the relationship between parents and teachers. The first contact between teacher and parent should not be when a student has done something wrong. Parents should attend open house, have regular phone or email contact with their child(ren) teachers. I have friends that are parents and educators and they tell me when there is a good parent/teacher interaction, it fosters a great environment for children to succeed. The parents are aware of what is going on in the classroom, the teacher feel support from the parent and the child(ren) knows that they can't get away with under performing because both the parent and teacher are holding them accountable.

The next relationship that parents should build is relationships with their local school board. This relationship is important because the school board is where decisions are made concerning your child's education- the curriculum, the budget, etc. Unfortunately many parents can barely make it to PTA meetings let alone school board meetings. But I have seen schools get additional resources just because the parents were very vocal at school board meetings. Therefore I encourage you to attend school board meetings and if you just can't fit them into your schedule build a relationships with the school board member that serves your district. It can really make a difference in the resources that are available at your child's school.

The next relationship that is important for enhancing the math and science educational experience for youth is relationships between the schools and the community. With state budgets being cut every day, schools have less and less resources available to educate our children. Although, schools aren't the only place where learning should take place, it is the primary place for learning. In order to enhance the resources at schools that are available to educate our children it important that individuals, nonprofits, colleges and universities and corporations partners with schools. The resources can be as simple as volunteering some time to provide classroom, support or tutoring or a big as making a financial contribution. Nothing is too great or small if it will assist in creating a great learning environment for our children.

The final relationship that needs to be built is between nonprofits and individuals, businesses, colleges and universities. Nonprofits exist to meet a need in the community, most of which can't be meet by a government agency. Most nonprofits have limited resources and need people who believe in their mission to support them note just in word or spirit, but in deed. Each individual, business and college and university should find a nonprofit whose mission they believe in and not only support them by volunteering and/or making a financial contribution, but telling people in their network about the organization and them to support them as well.

If we want to "unveil potential through exposure" and ensure that students are academically prepared to pursue STEM careers, we all have to work together to ensure our children succeed.

How Children Are Nurtured into Pursuing STEM careers

This weekend, I was writing a grant that focused on math and science education initiatives for K-3 students, parents and educators. The funder for this grant was focusing on the primary grades because they wanted children to get a good foundation for academic achievement in math and science. I thought it was a great idea to get kids achieving in math and science at such an early age because it gives them a chance to become academically prepared to pursue STEM careers. Many children that have an interest in math and science don't do so because they aren't academically prepared to major in STEM disciplines in college.

As I was writing this grant, I called my aunt who is former elementary school teacher. We were discussing my personal theory on student learning and achievement in STEM, how school systems operation and a myriad of other topics related to elementary education. I use my aunt as a resource from time to time because I had the privilege of growing up with her in my home until I was in the 3rd or 4th grade and I know that having her in my home had a huge impact on my educational foundation. During our conversation, we were talking about my inquisitiveness, love for learning and reading and other things about my elementary school experience. I asked her did my inquisitive nature as a child was why I was drawn to math and science. I thought so, but she wasn't quite sure. She believed that I may have succeeded in any discipline that I chose because of my love of reading and learning.

Since that conversation I have been thinking what causes children to have an interest in math and science and eventually pursue those fields. We all know that in math and science you are constantly asking and answering questions and solving problems; so children that are interest in math and science does have to be inquisitive. However, I also believe that children have a naturally inclination to certain subject areas, hobbies and interests. So I think it is important for parents and educators to work together to find out what those are for each child and expose and encourage them in that.

One of my favorite educators, Marian Wright Edelman said "Parents have become so convinced educators know what is best for children that they forget that they themselves are really the experts". I firmly believe in this quote, because I recall a story of my mother telling me that my kindergarten teacher didn't think that I was going to do well because I didn't go to pre-K. What she didn't realize is that I had all of my formative learning experiences with my mother and aunt; because my learning was outside of the classroom I performed better than many of my peers. So if we want to ensure that our children have a strong educational foundation, feel confident in their natural talents, abilities and gifts, we must provide outside of classroom learning experiences for them.

I am going to shift the focus on how to create a nurture your children that have an strong interest or ability in math or science because that is why our mission as an organization. What I have realized that in many elementary schools, students don't get a great experiences and exposure to math and science for several reasons. Some of it is due to lack of professional development with elementary teachers. Many elementary teachers don't have a strong background in math and science nor an interest in these subjects. Math doesn't suffer as much as science because math skills are tested on most standardized tests. However, not all school districts test children on what they are learning in science. There are some classrooms where children only get to do an hour of science each week. Since elementary school is where kids get their educational foundation, if they aren't exposed to science then, the chances of them having an interest in science are slim to none.

The key to ensuring that we create an environment that encourage children to achieve and have an interest in math and science is to create as many outside of classroom learning experiences as we can for our children. The internet is a great educational tool for kids, there are websites where you can find homework help, kids can play educational games, you can learn about current research in math and science and you can find experiments to conduct at home. The next outside of classroom experiences that you should take advantage of is visiting the science museums, aquariums, planetariums and other informal educational institutions in your area. Another resource is to take advantage of programs that are offered in your community that provide students with an opportunity to engage in hands on math and science activities or explore STEM careers; most of these programs are at colleges or universities or community organizations. But you as a parent must provide the continuum of learning for your child that extends beyond the school walls into your home. Although organizations such as SEM Link will do all we can to promote student achievement and career exploration in math and science, you as parents and guardians have to take responsibility for "unveiling potential through exposure" for your children.

Are African Americans Really Underrepresented in STEM Fields, Underreported or Both?

This weekend I had the pleasure and privilege of nominating a friend who is a great scientist for an award, where if selected to receive the award, she will be honored for the strides she has made in her career and the difference she is making in her community. As we were discussing her career,I was proud of the impact that she had made in her field and how her career has turned out. She is well respected in her field and making a great contributions to it. She is also giving back to her community and encouraging minority graduate, undergraduate and K-12 students to pursue careers in her discipline by proving research, professional development and career exploration opportunities for them.

In education, you always hear how African American are underrepresented in STEM disciplines in several venues. However, when I think about my friend and reflect upon my network, I realize that half of my network are STEM professionals or have STEM backgrounds. I could just have this unique experience because I am an African American woman with a STEM background. However, I wondered if African Americans are really underrepresented in STEM fields or are our stories underreported. There are arguments for both and it could be a combination of the two that is the reality.

Yes,it is true people my network can tell the stories of being the only black person in the lab or plant. However, I hear those same stories from many of my friends that have chosen to work in corporate America that don't have STEM backgrounds. Based on the 2000 US census, African Americans represent 12.1% of the population, with most of African Americans living in the southern states and urban areas. With us representing such a small portion of the population, does that translate to us automatically a small number of the workforce in any career path we choose. I wonder if anyone has done research if the number of African Americans that pursue STEM careers is proportional to the population? If you chose to work in a rural area or the Midwest, does that increase your chances of being as some people would say "the fly in the buttermilk". Or if you live and work in a city like Atlanta, would you work in an environment where you have plenty of African American counterparts?

I can definitely say that the story of African Americans contribution to the STEM fields is underreported. The knowledge in getting better,but I remember while in school most of the African American scientists and inventors they taught us about were deceased. I wasn't until I began reading on my own that I learned that throughout the history of this nation, even before we were officially a nation African Americans were making a great contribution to the STEM fields. The contributions never stopped. But how often do you hear or a story on the news about a STEM professional and the contribution they are making to their field. I personally think it is a shame that LeBron James, Lil Wayne and other athletes and entertainers are household names, but you don't know about a Dr. Mark Dean, Dr. G. Dale Wesson, Dr. James Grainger, Dr. LaToya Myles, Dr. Jean-Marie Dimandja, Ms. Niara M. Adero, Dr. Leon Dyers Jr, Ms. Kimberly M. White, Mr. John R. Moore, III, Dr. Natasha Browner Dr. Undra Graves-Guyton and many other African American scientists,technology, engineering and mathematics professionals that are doing an exceptional job in their respective fields and some even doing work that is making our society better with groundbreaking research.

I don't know that answer to my question. However, I do know that we can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. So if we want the story to be told, we must tell it ourselves. So if you are a STEM professionals make sure that your story in told outside of the scientific community and your professional networks. If you know a STEM professional make sure you tell and/or listen to their story. Local media outlets are always looking for great stories to be told, especially some of the small local independent publications. You can also tell their story through social media. Also talk to people in your network about what you do, your path to get where you are and where you want to go next; especially to youth. It is my desire that every child, but especially African American children since they have been identified as underrepresented in STEM fields, realize that they are capable of pursuing STEM careers. But they will never know if the stories of people who look like them aren't told or if they never meet people who look like them in those fields. That is what "unveiling potential through exposure" is all about; given children a vision of the what is possible for them and creating an environment for them to do so.

A New Exciting Beginning for SEM Link

In January 2010, SEM Link began its journey to become a national nonprofit organization by expanding our programs to the San Francisco Bay Area. Since it has been March since we last posted on our blog, you can see that it has been a busy but exciting time of transition for us to lay the foundation for becoming a national nonprofit. With today being the final day of the 2009-10 fiscal year, we thought it would be appropriate to give a summary of how we spend the final months of the 2009-10 fiscal year that we are about to close and what is to come in the new 2010-11 fiscal year.

The main reason, San Francisco Bay Area was chosen as the city that we would provide programs and services in addition to Metropolitan Atlanta, because establishing a presence in the West Coast would truly establish us as a national organization by offering programs on both coasts. Over the past few months, we have experienced the successes and challenges of this transition. Some of our challenges have been the same ones that other nonprofits are facing with decreasing financial support from individuals, corporations and grantors. The other challenge was while our Executive Director and Founder was in the San Francisco Bay Area, it was hard to determine who in the organization (staff, board of director, volunteer) in Atlanta would step up and do some of the things that she did when while she was living in Atlanta. It was also a challenge to determine what programs and services would be offered in each city and how our program structure would be affected as we transition beyond just serving Metropolitan Atlanta K-12 students, parents and educators.

However, we have had several successes with the transition. We were able to secure new corporate sponsors for our 3rd Annual Science, Engineering and Career Fair and Exhibition in Atlanta. We were able to establish a Bay Area community partnership with the ASA Community Science Center in Oakland. We have increased our presence on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Group as well as discussing a partnership with an online community for high school students www.TrackAhead.Com. In this past few months more people all over the country and the world have learned about who we are and what we do as an organization and that is exciting.

So what should you expect in the 2010-11 fiscal year, that will start on August 1st? The first major project before all of our programs start in September is to update our website to reflect the national nonprofit organization that we are now. We will offer programs in Metropolitan Atlanta, San Francisco Bay Area and possibly the DC Metropolitan Area as well as offer more activities on our website and through social media for K-12 students. You will see our web presence increase with articles about current trends in STEM research, policy and education as well as more articles for our Executive Director. We will establish partnerships with other nonprofits, corporations including small and medium sized businesses, college and universities, government agencies, and media outlets to either collaborate on programs or obtain resources to help us achieve our mission. Focus on getting individuals that support our organization and believe in our mission to show their support with financial contributions. As a nonprofit organization, we can't achieve our vision of "unveiling potential through exposure" if we don't have resources and the relationships to do so. In order to do our part in contributing to the creation of the pipeline of the future STEM workforce, we must build a community that supports our organization with their time, professional expertise and finances.

Rewards for Scientific Research: Why our Experimental Design Program Exists

On facebook of all places, I came across the story of a high school student, a young female that had won $100,000 for her research in computer science from the Intel Science Search. From this contest over 30 high school students won some monetary prize for engaging in research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (to see the article visit the http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35902666/ns/technology_and_science-science/). I was throughly impressed by these young minds and the various topics of there research. It seems like these students love for science and math was fostered at an early age by their parents, educators and mentors. I am confident that these students are well on their way to become a part of the future STEM workforce.

As I read this story, I reflected upon several things and had several questions about these kids. Most of the kids weren't photographed for this story, so I wonder how many of these students were African American or Hispanic or would be labeled "at risk" youth. Did all of these kids come from families where they had strong parental support and an atmosphere at home where academic achievement was not only expected but promoted. How many of these engaged in hands on math and science activities at school, at home or in the community? How many of these kids went to math and science summer camps? How were this kids about to over the peer pressure that math and science isn't cool. How many of these kids were able to meet and interact with STEM professionals. What facilities and other resources did they have access to in order to conduct their research? How did they learn about this contest?

The Experimental Design Program is our program that provides math and science fair project support for K-12 students and educators. This is one of the program activities that we started day one of our existence. My vision is that more K-12 students independent of school district, parental support or racial identify can have the resources available to them to conduct experiments for math and science projects. I want any students that has a project and a desire to complete it to be able to come to us to get the support to be competitive in not only those math and science fair that are supported by their district, but for contest such as these. What encourages me about these type of contest and this story is that student can learn at an early age that there is just as much financial and other rewards for being a STEM professional as being an athlete or entertainer.

So our goal is truly to continue to increase the quality and quantity of math and science fair projects by providing students with the resources necessary to conduct experiments that are competitive. We have to "unveil potential through exposure" on math and science fair project at a time.

Creating a Partnership with Elected Officials to Promote Student Achievement and Career Exploration in Math and Science

As non profit organization, we are constantly looking for ways to obtain resources and support for our programs and services; for without resources we can't achieve our mission. People always see grants, volunteers and corporations, but have we explored the resources and connections that we can get form our elected officials.

I know that me personally,although I am the first person to vote in an election and sign a petition, I don't have much interaction with my elected officials on the local, state and federal level. However, as I am beginning efforts to make SEM Link a national organization, I am getting suggestions that I can't do that without building relationships with elected officials on the city, county, state and even federal level. What resources can these elected officials provide to our organization? The first thing that I can think about is name recognition, even if the elected official doesn't give you a dollar, it validates your organization's presence in the community having the endorsement and support of the elected official. The second resources is connections in the community, it takes a lot of money and influence to become an elected official, if he or she believes in your mission that politician can connect you to all the money, power and influence that helped them get elected to not only get the resources that are needed, but to get your name out in the community as well as build your brand. Finally, the new relationship with the staff of elected officials can get you access to discretionary funds, information about upcoming grants and in some cases a voice to affect policy in the area in which you serve.

As I think about what we can do to become a national organization, that is able to "unveil potential through exposure", I have to look at building relationships with the elected officials in the areas we serve.

Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin L. King Jr and Leaving your own legacy

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr's birthday and this weekend is the celebration of his life and legacy. Dr. King was truly a great man and left a lasting impact on this world, through his teachings and what he accomplished to make this country a better place for us all. Although, we still have strides to make to improve racial relations and equality for all in this country; it is so much better than it would be if Dr. King, other civil rights leaders of the time and those who joined them in that great cause. Those individuals worked hard to make the change they vision of what this world could be and their vision has come to pass.

One can learn so many things from the life and legacy of Dr. King. This great man, died over 40 years ago and not only are we still celebrating his life and impact on the world, but teaching his principles to the current and future generations. The main lesson I take away from Dr. King is that if you want to be a great person, you can't just live your life, you must leave a legacy. In order to leave a legacy, you have to live your life working for a towards making life better for more than just yourself and those in your network. When I moved to Atlanta and visited the King center I learned that Dr. King and his family were part of the privileged African Americans that had access to education and wealth. Not to say that they didn't have it hard, but they had it better than most African Americans in the south during their time. But he had a desire to make life better for more than just his family, but for his community and the world; and he accomplished that and every day the world is becoming a better place.

The second lesson that I take from Dr. King's life and legacy is when you are passionate about a cause, that passion ignites others to join you in your cause. If you think about it most visions that make an impact in the world are too large for one person to accomplish on his own. But that person has to be a great communicator and have great passion, to ignite others toward his cause and work toward making the vision a reality. Dr. King inspired so many people to make a difference in the world as he saw it needed to be changed, from the leaders he trained to assist him with the direct organization of the movement to the countless people all over the country that joined him in the cause. We wouldn't even be talking about the March on Washington, if only Dr. King was present. We wouldn't even be taking about Dr. King if he didn't have people to believe and buy in to his vision and work towards the cause.

I just want to take some time to thank Dr. King for thinking bigger than himself to make a difference in this world. Thank you Dr. King for the life you lived and the legacy you left for those who have come behind you. His life truly inspired me to think bigger than myself and establish SEM Link 5 years ago. But just like Dr. King, my vision to promote academic achievement and career exploration in math and science for K-12 is too big for me to make a reality all by myself. So I want to thank all the board members past and present, the staff, the volunteers, corporate and community partners for joining me in making the vision of "unveiling potential through exposure" a reality. Let us continue the work that we started so that SEM Link can leave a legacy and make its impact in math and science education. We are on our way to creating the members of the future STEM workforce.

January is National Mentoring Month

January is National Mentoring Month. It is the time when we highlight and celebrate the work of organizations that are involved in mentoring youth (for more information visit www.mentoring.org). There are many nonprofit organizations that are doing wonderful things to make a difference in the lives of children. I want take this time to honor those organization. I want to take this time to thank and honor SEM Link program assistant, Ms. Angela M. Hardin and volunteers that are involved directly in our programs that serve at the schools and interact directly with the students exposing them to math and science.

The origin of the term mentor comes from Greek mythology, when Mentor the friend of Odysseus, was left in charge of Odysseus's son Telemachus when he went off to the Trojan War. The first recorded modern usage of the term was in the "Les Aventures de Telemaque", by the French writer François Fénelon in 1699 in which the lead character was Mentor. Mentoring is when more experienced, in most times older person, serves as a teacher, friend, counselor and example to a younger person as the person advance through life and/or a project.

Mentors play an important role in one's personal and professional development. If we are honest with ourselves, most adults would not be where they are today if weren't for a few good mentors that we were fortunate enough to have in our lives. A good mentors does two major things for you; teaches you thinks that you and introduces you to people you need to know to be successful and puts you in an environment where you can develop your natural gifts and talents. Mentors invest in their proteges simply because they believe that you are worth the investment and want to see you become all you can and accomplish all you can.

Mentoring can take place in an informal or formal setting. There are mentoring programs that set youth up with mentors like Big Brothers or Big Sisters. Or informal mentoring that takes place, when a student is introduced to people that provide an example of who they want to become and accomplish in life. Although SEM Link is not an organization that has a formal mentoring program, our vision statement- "unveiling potential through exposure" is the essence of what the results of good mentoring should be. Through our programs, we have exposed students to undergraduate and graduate students and professionals with stem backgrounds that have not only have engaged in hands on math and science activities, helped them with their homework and exposed them to what scientist do; but gave them a glimpse of who they could be and what they could accomplish. Our volunteers have let students know that they are so worth the investment of their time in helping them academic achieve and explore careers in math and science.

As an organization, we will continue to provide mentoring to our youth. Not enough youth feel that they can academically achieve or pursue careers in math and science. At times, we may not get to have opportunities for a long term mentoring relationship with our students like other organizations. But we do a great job of mentoring our youth by giving them a glimpse of what they can do and who they can be; a student that academic achieves in math and science and a part of the future STEM workforce.