www.dapcep.org VOLUME 1 • FALL/WINTER 2013

The Connection Newsletter

Please send your gift today!

• Visit our website: www.dapcep.org

• Mail your check to: DAPCEP 100 Farnsworth, Ste. 249 Detroit, MI 48202

For more information on how to give, email Maria Webb at mwebb@dapcep.org

DAPCEP’s Mission:The Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program’s mission is to increase the number of historically underrepresented students who are motivated and prepared academically to pursue degrees leading to careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) related fields through K-12 supplemental educational programming.

A Letter from DAPCEP Executive Director, Jason D. Lee

2013 has been a transitional year as we continue to improve the DAPCEP experience and our ability to prepare, motivate and expose students to STEMM fields. As the year closes, we reflect on DAPCEP’s impact on our students, their families and the community. Below are some highlights:• The Little Engineer That

Could Program graduated 50 children in June. These students and their parents completed all three years of this important curriculum.Ameer Contejean, was a

child of promise in the Little Engineer That Could Program. Earlier in the year, Ameer noticed the difficulty his family often had unloading groceries from the family van. He decided to use the mechanical engineering concepts he learned in the program to create a practical device to make the task easier. For his 3rd grade final project, Ameer, along with his father, proudly demonstrated the pulley device he made

of wood and rope that his family now uses. Ameer’s use of what he learned in class became a life-changing moment for him and his family. • More than 2,000 students

participated in DAPCEP spring and fall Saturday programs.

• DAPCEP implemented a program application fee. Scholarships were available for those with clear financial challenges.

• Over 180 students participated in the new DAPCEP Explorers Program for pre-kindergarten through 3rd graders.

• City of Detroit and Pontiac teens prepared themselves for potential job internships in the DAPCEP Internship Readiness pilot program.

• Students applying for college in 2014/15 participated in the DAPCEP fall Senior Series. They gained an understanding of the college application and financial aid process from university recruiters and administrators.

• The 2nd Annual Real McCoy Awards presented by DTE Energy, honoring STEMM professionals, teachers and students, raised over $100,000 allowing DAPCEP to place youth on university campuses to take courses such as forensics, Computer Aided Design and aerospace engineering. We also saw youth from

our second class of students who participated in DAPCEP’s Saturday Series program

from kindergarten through 12th grade, go to college. Including, Samantha Ivory, a Cass Technical High School graduate, now studying Biomedical Science at Western Michigan University. Samantha says…

“My future goal is to become a pediatrician or a pediatric dentist. I love children and I love science as a whole. DAPCEP helped me figure out what I wanted to be because of the science and math and all the fun activities we did.”

Samantha’s parents, Elizabeth and Samuel Ivory say DAPCEP was important to not only her education, but to her ability to gain confidence and key leadership skills necessary for success.

“DAPCEP gave her a lot of experience to know how to stand up and speak up about her education.”

We are confident the DAPCEP experience makes a difference in the lives of students. $250 supports one child in a DAPCEP Saturday Series program.

I am asking, on behalf of all the children we serve, please consider making a tax-deductible year-end gift to make a difference in a child’s life. Your donation will help children like Ameer and Samantha become the next generation of STEMM professionals.

Thank you,Jason D. Lee

’Tis the Season for Giving

Top: Ameer Contejean and parent.Bottom: Samantha Ivory with Stefanie Perkins, Jalin Garrison

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Dow Corning has been an active DAPCEP partner since 2007, contributing more than $200,000 in support of DAPCEP students. The company has also invested in youth by hosting a DAPCEP class for 10-12th grade students. Dow is a great example of corporate/community engagement and philanthropy.

The Dow StoryBy Gregg A. Zank, Ph.D.

Dow Corning is proud to be a part of the wider coalition of business, government, educational, and other organizations that support DAPCEP. As a company that relies on bringing the best and brightest together to advance

the technological possibilities of one element – silicon – the people of Dow Corning know how important it is to get young people excited about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers.

Our team members are pleased to lead a special Saturday interactive class for DAPCEP’s 10-12th graders titled “From Sand to Silly Putty and More!,” where they learn about real-world applications for silicones such as the electronic devices they love so much, household goods that make life easier, airbags that keep them safe, beauty care products that keep them looking good, and more. We also provide an overview of the many different careers available at Dow Corning and other science-based companies. But most of all, we try to keep the class FUN.

We rely on partnering with organizations like

DAPCEP who share our goal of encouraging more young people to pursue advanced education and, ultimately, careers in STEM fields.

Personally, over the past five years it has been incredibly fulfilling for me to participate on DAPCEP’s board of directors – a great team of committed leaders. We all recognize that the potential to improve the world for the next generation increases with each child we impact. The next Thomas Edisons, Marie Curies and Albert Einsteins are out there and they may very well be DAPCEP students. It is our responsibility to help them along their way.

Donor Spotlight

Gregg Zank is the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Dow Corning Corporation, headquartered in Midland, MI. He has been a member of DAPCEP’s board of directors since 2008.

Meet Justin KirkRenaissance High School

senior, Justin Kirk has been a dedicated DAPCEP student since the sixth grade. Because he has always had strong interests in math and science, when his mother encouraged him to enroll in DAPCEP he said, “Sure.”

The READY program was offered as a pilot program during his high school freshman year.

“It’s definitely been a good thing. We’ve become a brotherhood.”

In READY, Justin enjoys the exposure to renewable energy resources and the engineering field, something he does not believe he would have received elsewhere.

Justin remembers an

experiment in his junior year. “We made cars run on

distilled water and I think about that all the time,” he says. “I actually want to get that going. But it’ll probably happen in the next generation because it’s a big transition from gasoline to waterpower. I believe it’ll happen, and create a better world.”

Next fall, Justin hopes to attend the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, majoring in mechanical engineering. He has already received acceptance letters from Wayne State University, Michigan Tech and Western Michigan University, his second choice.

The DAPCEP Renewable Energy Advancement for Detroit Youth (READY) program is a four-year initiative designed to prepare and motivate young men from historically underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue the education necessary for careers in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE&EE) industries. The READY Program is sponsored by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and Skillman the Foundation.

Focus on DAPCEP READY Student!

DAPCEP Senior SeriesDec. 5, 6-8 p.m.The college admissions process can be confusing. But the DAPCEP Senior Series takes the mystery out of college enrollment. For high school juniors and seniors who plan to attend college in September 2014/15, this session will help students complete their college application.

Please RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/dapcep-college-series.

The DAPCEP Senior Series is at the University of Michigan Detroit Center, Orchestra Place, 3663 Woodward, Suite 150 in Detroit.

(Parking is on Parsons Street between Woodward and Cass)

Sunday, Dec. 15 is DAPCEP Alumni Night at the Palace

of Auburn Hills! Join the DAPCEP Board of Directors inside the exclusive Club 300 for the Detroit Pistons vs. Portlland Trail Blazers game.

Event time: 5 p.m. Game time: 6 p.m.

RSVP with Maria Webb: (313) 831-3050 or mwebb@dapcep.org

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Science: Dr. Jerry Caldwell

Director Drew Scholars Program

Michigan State University/UMICH-Ann Arbor

Technology: Rodney O’Neal

CEODelphi Corporation

Engineering: Jessica Moreno

Engineering Business ManagerGeneral Motors-Global

Electrical Systems

Mathematics: Ronald Hall, Sr.President & CEO

Bridgewater Interiors

Medicine: Dr. Linda Gillum

Assoc. Dean for Academic & Faculty Affairs

Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

2013 Real McCoy Award Recipients

More than 200 guests attended the 2nd Annual DAPCEP Real McCoy Awards presented by DTE Energy, held on the evening of September 12, 2013 at DTE Energy Headquarters in Detroit to recognize Metro Detroit “Real McCoys.”

The event was a celebration of professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) whose work is contributing to Michigan’s positioning as a global hub of the STEMM industry, and inspiring youth to pursue careers in STEMM.

In addition to the honorees listed to the left, DAPCEP presented the following Real McCoy Awards:

Corporate Award - DTE Energy, for its continued support of the DACPEP Real McCoy Awards, and its role as a longstanding programming partner.

Educator Award - DAPCEP instructors, for their hard work and dedication to directly impacting the next generation of STEMM leaders:

• Krystal Bolar (Thurgood Marshall Elementary/Middle School)

• Clarence Ganheart (DAPCEP Saturday Instructor, University of Detroit Mercy)

• Sheryl Rucker (Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men; DAPCEP Saturday Instructor)

• Bridgette Rudolph, instructor, DAPCEP’s Little Engineer That Could Program

Legacy Award - Detroit Public Schools District, a DAPCEP partner since the organization was established in 1976.

Junior Real McCoy Award - DAPCEP students from DPS middle and high schools whose projects were awarded at the 2013 Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit:

• Brandon Holt (8th Grade, Brewer Academy)

• Tajayia Thomas (7th Grade, Thurgood Marshall Elementary/Middle School)

• Matthew Johnson (9th Grade, Renaissance High School)

• Elijah White (7th Grade, Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men)

Thank you to the Real McCoy Awards’ generous sponsors:Presenting sponsor: DTE Energy

Elijiah McCoy Level ($10,000) Delphi Foundation, UAW-GM

George Washington Carver Level ($7,500) Consumers Energy, Ford Motor Company, Oakland University, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Marie Daly Level ($5,000) The Chrysler Foundation, Michigan State University, University of Michigan College of Engineering

Albert Baez Level ($2,500) Avis Ford, Dow Corning, Fifth Third Bank, UAW Local 600, Marathon Petroleum Company, Meritor, MGM Grand Detroit, Vision IT, Wayne State University-The Front Door

Special Thank You to: Bridgewater Interiors, FasTracKids, Dynamic HR, First Independence Bank, University of Detroit Mercy

Honoring STEMM professionals and more!

Jason Lee and Alycia Meriweather, DPS

L to R: Jerry Norcia and Joi Harris, DTE Energy; Jason Lee; Albert Ware, General Motors

L to R: Jerry Caldwell; Lindsey Williams (on behalf of Rodney O’Neal); Jessica Moreno; Joi Harris, DTE Energy; Linda Gillum and Ronald Hall, Sr.

L to R: Jason Lee, Clarence Ganheart, Bridgette Rudolph, Sheryl Rucker and Krystal Bolar

Board of Directors

Stephen C. LewisFord Motor Co.

Joi HarrisDTE Energy

Albert WareGeneral Motors Co.

Dr. Lorenzo SmithOakland University

Members

Rev. Dr. Charles AdamsHartford Memorial

Baptist Church

John LehmanMichigan Technological

University

Aurelia BerrocalThe Leona Group, LLC

Pamela BoldenConsumers Energy

Olabisi A. BoyleChrysler Group

Monica BrockmeyerWayne State University

Dr. Wanda Cook-RobinsonSouthfield Public Schools

Rev. Michael CurentonMayflower Congregational

United Church of Christ

Dr. Hiram FitzgeraldMichigan State University

Bishop Greg GeigerCJC-LDS Church

Elliott S. HallDykema Gossett, PLLC

Dean Arthur HamanUniversity of Detroit Mercy

Dr. John MatlockUniversity of Michigan

Alycia MeriweatherDetroit Public Schools

Venita MitchellParent Advisory Committee

Dennis RossParent Advisory Committee

Dr. Gregg ZankDow Corning Co.

Happy Holidays, from DAPCEP!

Get ready for 2014 Program Enrollment!

2014 Spring Saturday Series registration is January 21-23, 2014.

Spring Explorers Program registration is available through February 20.

The program sessions are Saturdays, February 22-April 26.

Enroll online at www.dapcep.org

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DAPCEP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing historically underrepresented youth with innovative educational programming in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

DAPCEP OfficeRackham Building | 100 Farnsworth, Suite 249 | Detroit, MI 48202 | (313) 831-3050 www.dapcep.org /dapcep