PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM

W O M E N O F C O L O R P R E - C O L L E G E P R O G R A M

The Women of Color STEM Conference regularly partners with organizations whose missions are closely aligned with that of the conference to broaden the discussion about STEM opportunities. These programs engage the entire STEM pipeline, and the participants draw inspiration from the core Women of Color STEM Conference. It is our hope to increase your awareness of the importance of organizations like these that may already exist in your communities and to encourage you to offer your support.

P R E - C O L L E G E P R O G R A M S P O N S O R E D B Y T H E G E N E R A L M O T O R S F O U N DAT I O N

The Women of Color STEM Conference ensures that its influence on building the STEM pipeline extends into the precollege community of students that might not otherwise aspire to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers because of social and economic barriers. Career Communications Group partners with STEM-related businesses, military personnel, and universities to bring pre-college students together to participate in the conference. Students participate in hands-on, competitive activities that engage and challenge them to view STEM careers as real options. High school and middle school students from the Detroit and surrounding areas will be invited to participate.

With the support of the General Motors Foundation and local organizations like Oakland University, Wayne State University, and the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), this year’s pre-college program will take place virtually. The program’s main feature will be the professionals in the classroom coaching, which will bring eighteen (18) Women of Color role models into thirty-five classrooms via Zoom sessions to share their stories and answer questions about the journey to their STEM careers.

During the conference, pre-college students will participate in a full-day virtual or in-person program that will include hands-on and virtual workshops designed by top STEM employers, and virtual round-table discussions with college students to learn about college-life.

We express our gratitude to these women who have volunteered their time to share their storied career journey with the students participating in the Women of Color Pre-College Program:

Christina Ware

Marketing & Creative, Business Services & Financial Services Account Manager Aerotek

Melinda Gray

Mechanical Engineer General Motors

Veronica Nelson

Executive Director AMIE (Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering)

Kim Tucker-Billingslea

Environmental Engineer & Project Leader General Motors

Tamara Sorrell

Deputy Executive Officer to the Sergeant Major of the Army U.S. Army

Robbin Johnson

Senior Information Assurance Advisor NSA and U.S. Cyber Command

Gihan Oraby

Director(A) for the Weapon & Software Engineering Center Armaments Research Development Engineering Center

Priscilla O’Neill, CEP

College Counselor Great Hearts Irving

Carolyn Nichols

Director, BGS Navy/Marine Corps Services The Boeing Company

Kerry Buffington

Kapstone Employment Services

Marlene Price

Strategic Technology Business Development Sr. Leader Materials Manufacturing Technology Boeing Research & Technology The Boeing Company

Gretchen Morales- Valle

Electrical Engineer NASA Glenn Research

Jamesa Stokes

Materials Research Engineer NASA Glenn Research

Nuha Nawash

Electrical Engineer NASA Glenn Research

Brittany Wheeler

Raytheon Company

Donna Bell

Director, Technology & Features Strategy & Planning Ford Company

Tracy Ball

Business Relationship Management Specialist Ford Company

Michelle T. Ferebee

Strategy and New Business Lead Aeronautics Research Directorate NASA Langley Research Center

2 0 2 0 P R E - C O L L E G E P R O G R A M C U R R I C U L U M

Putting A Spin on STEM: The Importance of Soft Skills

If you think Sudoku and crossword puzzles are fun and challenging, then test your mind with logic and mathematics. These games will challenge your logic and strategic capabilities. We will expose you to mathematical teasers, which will help puzzle fans push your IQ levels to the maximum. You will have a chance to look at the puzzles from a different perspective--that’s how you sharpen the wits and train the mind. Come, participate learn and have fun. You can win prizes and show off your strategic capabilities.

Company: Huntington Ingalls Time: 10:00-10:50am 11:00-11:50am 12:00-12:50pm

Math Moves U

MathMovesU® is an effort by Raytheon to have an everexpanding family of unique initiatives and key partnerships to connect students, elementary through college, with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) during this education crisis. Raytheon believes that tomorrow’s engineers and technologist need to be excited by and interested in math today. MathMovesU® engages students with fun and dynamic content from virtual thrill rides, scholarships and sponsorships to special events, interactive experiences and national competitions.

For the Women of Color STEM Conference, the Raytheon team will involve the students with a fun and exciting math challenge competition in a Jeopardy like format via student teams working brain teasers. This effort will be led by Charlie Dean and Shawn Graham.

Company: Raytheon Company Time: 10:00-10:50am 11:00-11:50am 12:00-12:50pm

The Boeing CODE: Codename EVA (Everyone- VickathonAgile)

This Boeing workshop will explore the foundational learnings behind coding. In this virtual session we will provide students with hands on fundamental coding concepts. Students will learn the benefits of coding while enabling them to explore the technical skills associated with learning the language of computers. It will also help students gain a better understanding of the technology surrounding them, as well as expanding their creativity by teaching them how to use technology in their own way. This year we will introduce students to coding via a Virtual Hackathon. A Virtual Hackathon is just like regular Hackathon, except that they are done online remotely. With traditional Hackathons, participants are organized into teams and develop their creative idea. We will be using that philosophy to create a virtual experience for introducing coding to K-12 students. To get students ready to explore coding, read learn more about 4 Famous Programmers Who Coded Their Way to The Top

Company: The Boeing Company Time: 10:00-10:50am 11:00-11:50am

Color Detective What is Chromatography?

Most of us have got our papers wet at some time or another, but have you ever noticed what happens to the ink as the water spreads? It doesn’t always smudge and blur, as you might expect. Sometimes it splits up into weird colored streaks that creep across the page. When that happens, you’re seeing chromatography in action. Chromatography is a method of separating the components of a compound. During the procedure, the compound is separated into its individual components, allowing the individual parts to be identified. Chromatography is used to separate and identify all sorts of substances in police work. Drugs ranging from narcotic to aspirin can be identified in urine and blood samples, often with the aid of chromatography.

Company: DAPCEP Time 12:00-12:50pm

Financial Aid 101: How to Afford College and Achieve Your Dreams

Learning Objective: Learn about the financial options that can help students to afford post-secondary education

What do you want to be when you grow up? You’ve heard this question many times throughout elementary and secondary education. Yet achieving your dream career can

PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM

be expensive. Don’t give up yet; there are many resources for financial aid available to help you afford your postsecondary education. Join us for this seminar to learn about the opportunities to help you achieve your dreams.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: a. Define what “financial aid is. b. Explore the various sources of financial aid that are available for college education. c. Discuss how colleges and other sources determine eligibility for aid. d. Examine when, where, and how to apply for financial aid. e. Explore other financial aid options, such as work study or student loans.

Company: Career Communications Group, Inc. Time: 10:00-10:50am 11:00-11:50am 12:00-12:50pm 1:00-1:50pm

SAT Prep – Winning Test Taking Strategies

The SAT is designed to assess students’ aptitude and knowledge in reading, writing, and math. Colleges and universities use the SAT to evaluate every applicant’s eligibility for admission. The higher a student scores on the SAT, the better their chance of getting accepted to the applied to college or university. Join us as we discuss proven tips, techniques, and strategies for improving your overall performance on the SAT.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: a. Develop a strategy to take the SAT. b. Examine strategies for staying focused and finishing on time. c. Discuss techniques for selecting the correct answers and eliminating incorrect answers. d. Explore techniques to reduce test anxiety.

Company: Career Communications Group, Inc. Time: 10:00-10:50am 11:00-11:50am 12:00-12:50pm 1:00-1:50pm

Getting Accepted: Mastering the College Admission Process

Learning Objective: Discuss techniques for completing the college admission process Getting into the college or university of your choice is competitive. Applying to college can feel like a full-time job, especially if you are applying to multiple places with various requirements. There’s a lot of information to collect and to process, so make sure that you take care of the details. This seminar will discuss techniques for preplanning, gathering information and completing the college admission process.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: a. Develop strategies for managing anxiety during the college testing and interview process. b. Recognize how stress can affect their sleep, diet, and exercise. c. Cope with peers, schoolwork, and home life during the application process. d. Apply their own interests, values, and goals to the college decision making process.

Company: Career Communications Group, Inc. Time: 10:00-10:50am 12:00-12:50pm 1:00-1:50pm

Studying Cyber Security: Safeguarding Democracy and Securing Employment

Learning Objective: Discuss opportunities and trends in cyber security

Cyber security has become as important as locking your front door. We must protect and secure information. As our reliance on technology increases, the need to build innovative approaches to cyber security efforts becomes critical. The opportunities in this field are great since cyber security is a national priority. Join our panel of experts as we talk about managing cyber threats and ways to gain access to cyber security opportunities.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: a. Identify required skills and areas in cyber security careers. b. Explore opportunities and challenges in cyber security. c. Connect with successful cyber security professionals. d. Identify steps to take to work in cyber security.

Company: Career Communications Group, Inc. Time: 10:00-10:50am 12:00-12:50pm 1:00-1:50pm

Roundtable/ Mentoring Session (8 Tables / 8 Topics – Junior & Seniors)

College should be a time for exploration, learning, and self-discovery. Many college students will be affected by a number of issues during their college experiences. These roundtable sessions are designed to help students avoid the negative effects of these issues.

Topic 1 (2 Host addressing same topic different view / separate tables)

What You Should Be Doing Now to Get into College –

Getting into college can be a daunting task, with fewer students getting accepted each year. And each year, the pressure on high school students increases. But with the right planning, you can reduce your stress while working to make sure that you do all that you can to get accepted.

Dressing Appropriately for College and Not High School – Packing and dressing for college means leaving the high school look behind. You want to look like an adult without conveying the high school image. So join this panel as we discuss what the well-dressed collegiate is wearing.

Topic 2 (2 Host addressing same topic different view / separate tables)

Coping with College Life – Going to college is a big step and a major transition in your life. Now you are responsible for everything, and there’s no one to look over your shoulder. This can make some students feel alone and can be a lot to handle. Fortunately, you don’t have to learn it all at once, and there is help available.

Join us as we discuss resources and methods to navigate college.

Making Friends: Dealing with Social Anxiety – It’s a good bet that not all of your friends are going to attend the same college and take the same courses as you did in high school. College life is about learning about yourself and making new friends. Join us as we discuss techniques for making friends in college.

Topic 3 (2 Host addressing same topic different view / separate tables)

Adjusting to Life away from Home – Moving away from home to college takes a lot of preparation and planning.

But for all your planning, you may not have planned on how to deal with homesickness. While being homesick can be a challenge, getting through it can be easier than you think.

Coping with Cultural Differences in College – Leaving home and moving to college can be terrifying for new students, especially if you are far from the place where you grew up. You don’t have to live in fear though. Your college experience can be exciting and life changing. This

session will give you advice on how to acclimate yourself to your new environment.

Topic 4 (2 Host addressing same topic different view / separate tables)

Alone on the Range: Developing Self-Motivation Skills – To succeed in college, you need to consistently do your best. Staying motivated isn’t always easy when you have a lot of pressure on you. For anyone who has struggled with staying motivated, this session will give you advice on finding the right balance between school, work, and other activities.

Time and Stress Management in Post-Secondary Education – College is full of new experiences and possibilities that can also limit your study time and increase stress levels. With so much happening on the campus, there’s no wonder that students feel overwhelmed with commitments to class, work, and extra-curricular activities. How can you balance time when it doesn’t seem to be enough? This session will discuss how to accomplish balance without losing ground on your other responsibilities.

Company: Career Communications Group, Inc. Time: 10:00-10:50am 11:00-11:50am

Rethink Your Drink: Are Energy Drinks Drugs?

Students will be able to explain the variety of behavioral effects when planarians are exposed to sugar, caffeine, ginseng, and B vitamins in a variety of combinations.

Company: DAPCEP Time: 10:00-10:50am 11:00-11:50am

The Natural Gas Journey: From Storage to Stove

Students will be introduced to the natural gas pipeline from origin to distribution. Students are also introduced to modern methods of eco-friendly natural gas discovery, processing, and transportation.

PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM

Company: DAPCEP Time: 10:00-10:50am 11:00-11:50am

Clean Water Tragedy

How does a lack of access to clean, safe drinking water put people at a disadvantage in their daily lives? Students will increase awareness of the global water crisis. Students will simulate the water filtration and treatment process.

Company: DAPCEP Time: 10:00-10:50am 11:00-11:50am

Nuclear Fission vs. Fusion

Students will understand the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy; and understand that nuclear fission and fusion are two different types of energy releasing reactions involving atoms.

Company: DAPCEP Time: 10:00-10:50am 11:00-11:50am SPONSORS

PA R T I C I PAT I N G S C H O O L S

A. L. Holmes Academy of the Americas Ann Arbor Trail Bates Academy Blackwell Academy Bunche Academy Caesar Chavez Cartsens Academy Carver STEM Academy Cass Tech Chandler Park Academy Clippert Academy Cooke High School Cornerstone Health & Technology Academy Cornerstone- Jefferson-Douglass Academy Cornerstone- Lincoln King Academy Cornerstone- Madison Carver Academy Cornerstone- Washington Parks Academy Davison Elementary Detroit Edison Public School Early College Academy Dossin Elementary/ Middle School Foreign Language Immersion Academy Gompers Middle School Hutchinson Elementary/Middle School J.R. King Elementary/ Middle School Mark Twain Elementary/ Middle School Munger Middle School Nolan Elementary/ Middle School Pasteur Middle School Pontiac High School Renaissance High School Ronald Brown Academy Sampson- Webber Elementary/ Middle School Schulze Elementary/ Middle School Southfield Christian High School