WIP: Informal Engineering Experiences in the African American Community

1. WIP: Informal Engineering Experiences in the African American Community Lauren D. Thomas National TORCH Chairperson 2009-2010 Contributors: Dr. Michael Smith, Erika Howell, Kenjie Davis - NSBE WHQ Staff

2. 1 2 3 4 Introduction to NSBE Introduction to TORCH Data & Feedback Future Work Contents

3. NSBE • National Society of Black Engineers • Founded in 1975 at Purdue University • Response to missing support system, low enrollment and graduation of black engineering students • Mission • “To increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community” • Interesting Facts • 30,000+ collegiate, alumni, and pre-college members • One of the world’s largest student managed organizations

4. TORCH Background • Technical Outreach Community Help • Established in 2002 in response to the digital divide issue that has a significant impact in Black communities • Technical community service of the membership • Early challenges • Low participation • Comparatively low value to corporate sponsors • Lack of direction for the program • Vague goals and objectives

5. TORCH Objectives “As the world economy becomes more technologically driven, it is imperative that the black community is an active participant and evolves with the changing economic landscape. NSBE should lead the charge by engaging not only students, but schools, community centers, youth programs, and parents, to ensure that the Black community, especially the youth, can be those active participants.”– National Strategic Plan, 2008 “To provide exposure, stimulate enthusiasm, and promote the value of science, technology, engineering and mathematics within black communities through training opportunities to encourage greater black participation in STEM and digital technology.” - TORCH objective statement

6. TORCH Umbrella

7. STEM Community Training • Traditional TORCH Projects • Computer literacy • Programming courses • Technology Seminar • Supplemental Instruction(Course specific) • Tutoring • College Preparation • Web development • Stable location and volunteers • Long term program sessions • Relationship building

8. Informal Engineering and Science • Introduction level intervention activities • Social context • Examples • Kitchen chemistry • Open house activities • Engineering demonstrations • Engineering arts and crafts

9. Other TORCH Programs • A Walk for Education (AWFE) • Grassroots event launched in 2005 • Members go door to door in underserved minority communities and provide information on engineering, college, local NSBE programs, SAT and GED preparation • Technical Expertise Services • Similar to service learning • Targeted to upper level students, graduate students and alumni • Traditional Community Service

10. Data and Assessment • Survey data from all events • Student demographics • Exposure to engineering • School and out of school activities • Feedback from projects • In moment quotes • Post event responses from parents and students

11. Summer Camping Conference • Clemson University • TORCH Design Competition • JETS TEAMS 2008 challenge • Physical design task • Apprentice style presentations • “In Georgia, our new curriculum is built upon performance based activities such as the design competition.  Our students are challenged to participate in activities similar [in school] . This is what our students need.  I would also suggest that chapters be given practice models to help their members get used to the style of the competition and the format.” – M. Tarver, Mentor & Parent • “At first the project was really hard and we didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know I was smart enough to figure it out, but we just needed a little help.” – Student participant

12. University of Tennessee - Chattanooga • ACT Workshop • 80 Students from the local area • UTC professors instructed science, reading, math and English • 4 sessions, held twice a year • General tutoring all year

13. Northeastern University TORCH • Adult computer literacy • MS office suite, Alice and Photoshop courses for K-12 students

14. Increased Enrollment & Technical Literacy Academic Preparation Mentoring Exposure Experiences Engaging Content TORCH Philosophy

15. Thank You ! "Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.” Marian Wright Edelman, Founder of Children’s Defense Fund torch@nsbe.org Acknowledgements: Northeastern University NSBE, University of Tennessee Chattanooga NSBE, Clemson University NSBE