UA engineering initiatives introduce STEM to underrepresented students

The University of Akron’s College of Engineering and Polymer Science recently hosted a series of STEM events to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to increasing the number of underrepresented people working in STEM fields.

Starting to introduce STEM concepts to children at a young age leads to increased interest in a topic, whether that is engineering, chemistry, coding, or other STEM subjects. This jump-starts the success of these children and exposes them to future careers they otherwise might not have considered. Introducing underrepresented students to STEM is especially important as they are entering STEM degree programs at a much lower rate than their counterparts.

NSBE STEM Day goes virtual

On March 26, The University of Akron’s College of Engineering and Polymer Science, in partnership with Akron Public Schools, hosted the 5^th annual National Society of Black Engineering (NSBE) STEM Day. The program was managed by the NSBE Student Chapter at The University of Akron, supported by UA's College of Engineering and Polymer Science, and Akron Public Schools.

Using Google Hangouts at their homes or at their school buildings, 33 students from eight area middle schools participated in hands-on STEM activities. Students engaged in fun and educational instruction while creating their very own one of kind pasta rovers and robotic arms. Engineering students Dennis Williams and Antonio Crenshaw served as the lead "engineers" for the event and led the activities. Dennis and other NSBE members designed, created and delivered the activity kits, which included all materials for the event, snacks, and UA memorabilia.   

“The mission of NSBE is to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community,” says Dennis Williams, mechanical engineering major and president of NSBE. “Students were able to use basic engineering principles to make a rover out of pasta noodles and design a robot arm to move a water bottle. It was really cool.”

The day included a welcome from President Miller and Mr. Dallas Grundy, UA’s chief financial officer and former NSBE member, provided closing remarks.

Engineering students launch new initiative

Also this semester, UA’s rocketry team, the Akronauts, collaborated with the I PROMISE School to teach young students about rocketry. On select Fridays, known as Akronauts Days, the team facilitates day-long virtual workshops in their on-campus design room. Led by Riley Myers, the team’s outreach lead, UA engineering students are teaching the students about aerostructure, recovery, payload, propulsion, and avionics — all through Google Meet.

The engineering students will be simultaneously working on the team’s rocket while sharing details of the build to I PROMISE School students. They will talk through the engineering problems they are facing and give the students a chance to think through possible solutions. When the team’s rocket is complete, the young students will add a personalized element to the design — their handprints. This will celebrate the partnership and honor the I PROMISE School message of: Nothing is given. Everything is earned.

Related Content: 

• Learn more about our Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics (IDEAs) program
• Become a UA Engineering Zip. Confirm your enrollment.