The Gateway Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) recently hosted its 17th chapter anniversary and its 16th scholarship program at Whittaker Hall on the campus of Washington University. This year’s theme was “The NSBE Blueprint: Leadership, Teamwork and Inspiration.” With over 200 in attendance, the chapter presented 10 students with financial awards to help defray the raising costs of tuition.
This year’s guest speaker was Joan Robinson Berry, director of Phantom Works Supplier Management for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. In this position, Robinson Berry is responsible for implementing supplier management strategy and execution throughout the Phantom Works business, in support of the development of advanced cross-cutting concepts and technologies. She was accompanied by Rick Martin, chief engineer for Advanced Boeing Military Aircraft, Phantom Works, and 30 members of their engineering staff.
“If present trends continue, the United States may soon find itself far behind other nations in both science and technology,” Robinson Berry said.
“We need more people of color to develop knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering and math so they can apply these skills and develop products that make mankind healthier, safer, better connected and more secure. With a diverse and innovative scientific community, the United States will remain strong and globally competitive.”
The chapter’s focus is preparing area students in grades 6-12 to enter into Science Engineering Technology & Math (STEM) degree programs. Currently over 100 future engineers are in the program that meets at St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley on the third Saturday of each month. The local chapter has helped develop, support, and mentor over 325 local high school students to enter into STEM degree programs over the last 14 years.
“We need our students to be excited about their futures and cognizant that their education will likely be the most important differentiator in their lives,” Robinson Berry said.
The local chapter was rekindled by McDonald Douglas (now Boeing) engineers Carolyn Nichols (retired), Dave Black and Christina Brumfield, along with the encouragement of Keith Mathews, a St. Louis native living in Colorado and regional officer with NSBE who wanted to have an area-wide chapter with suitability during economic downturns.
“My experiences as a NSBE Pre College Initiative student have inspired me to pursue a STEM degree,” said Rheanna Henson, president of NSBE Jr. and a scholarship recipient.
“At each meeting, we always worked on new and unique projects, anywhere from creating disco balls with old CD-ROMs and blinking lights to using soldering tools to create blinking LED lights. These lessons have been prime motivators in helping me strive towards a degree in computer science.”
Ronald Moore is director of the NSBE Pre College Initiative for St. Louis.
“Young people like Rheanna come into the program with a quiet and reserved nature and leave the program as young aggressive leaders,” Moore said. “Rheanna was one of our most successful leaders, and we know she will continue to be a blessing to the community as she grows academically and professionally.”
Moore wants to engage students even earlier through the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) program.
“Locally, NSBE is looking to provide the three week summer program for grades 3 to 6 in 2013,” Moore said. “We are looking at four sites with 80 students at each site.”
The SEEK program is designed to be a fun and engaging educational experience, led by NSBE engineering students and technical professionals dedicated to pursuing professional excellence and giving back to the community. It utilizes a hands-on design curriculum developed by Society of Automotive International engineers. Campers will work in teams, using their knowledge to solve problems and create products while discovering the underlying math and science principles involved in these processes. Each week, the campers will take on a new project, culminating with a presentation and design competition that all parents are invited to attend.
Rheanna Henson said, “I highly encourage all students to participate in the program and to apply themselves fully to everything that is offered by NSBE.”
For information, visit http://nsbe-stl.org.
