NEW YORK--April 1, 2013; During the annual National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) convention, Alcoa Foundation announced a $50,000 contribution to the 2013 Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) Academy, a program developed by NSBE in 2007. The SEEK Program is designed to be a fun and engaging educational experience to raise the interest of underrepresented minority students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It is led by engineering students and technical professionals dedicated to pursuing professional excellence and giving back to the community. This is the second year Alcoa Foundation is supporting the program.
“With the additional support, NSBE can engage more student mentors over the summer at SEEK camps.”
The SEEK program, aimed at grades K--12, is an important step for students toward careers in engineering. Alcoa Foundation's grant will fund stipends for 50 collegiate members of NSBE who will serve as "SEEK mentors" in five states this summer: California, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Texas and Washington, DC. The goal is to educate and inspire 300 students.
SEEK offers a diverse, hands-on engineering design curriculum that continues to expand annually. This year, participants will have an opportunity to "go green" by designing and testing miniature cars during a Solar Car Activity. The SEEK students, in the 3rd to 8th grades this year, learn science and engineering concepts and engage in team competitions during the academy's free three-week summer day camps. The elementary school and middle school students are guided and taught by the SEEK mentors. The mentors are students at the University of Michigan, North Carolina A&T State University, The Ohio State University, Purdue University, and the University of Tennessee.
"We need to prepare young people for jobs that are available now and in sectors that are growing, like Advanced Manufacturing," said Paula Davis, President, Alcoa Foundation. "Together with NSBE, we promote STEM education among K-12 students and educate them about how they can apply their skills to launch exciting careers in manufacturing."
"Now in the second year of our partnership, we are excited that Alcoa Foundation has taken an expanded role in supporting our NSBE collegiate members who participate in SEEK nationally," said NSBE SEEK Director Franklin O. Moore. "With the additional support, NSBE can engage more student mentors over the summer at SEEK camps."
For more information about the SEEK Academy, contact NSBE's Programs Team by e-mail at seek@nsbe.org, or visit NSBE .
