News Summary
The DPSCD STEM Awards gala will honor over 300 individuals for their achievements in STEM education. Scheduled for June 5 at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, it features awards for students involved in robotics, chess, and various competitions. Community support from organizations like General Motors highlights the importance of STEM in preparing students for future careers. Attendees are invited to celebrate the honorees as they showcase educational excellence in Detroit.
Detroit Celebrates STEM Education at Annual DPSCD STEM Awards Gala
The sixth annual DPSCD STEM Awards gala is scheduled to take place on June 5 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School auditorium in Detroit. This community celebration is free to attend, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and does not require any tickets. The event will honor over 300 individuals associated with K-12 education for their achievements in various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities.
Participants recognized at the event have engaged in competitions like the Science & Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit, Academic Games, Math Bee, as well as in robotics and chess competitions. Students from more than 50 different schools will receive awards, highlighting their contributions and success in these fields. Customized trophies and medals, designed by Livonia-based A.J. Bros. LLC, will be awarded to the honorees.
DPSCD School Board Member Angelique Peterson-Mayberry will serve as the master of ceremonies for this year’s gala. The aim is to showcase public education in its most holistic form while emphasizing the vital importance of STEM education. Special awards will be presented to STEM coaches and community volunteers who have made significant contributions to nurturing student involvement in these essential disciplines. Additionally, the Principal 3 for 3 Awards will recognize principals who actively promote STEM initiatives through programs in robotics, Academic Games, and chess.
All attendees are encouraged to participate in showing support for the recognized students, regardless of any familial connections to the honorees. The gala promises a vibrant atmosphere with music and entertainment from Carl Hollier, another alumni from King High School’s Class of 1992.
Community and Industry Support for STEM
This year’s STEM Awards gala is sponsored by General Motors, which has provided substantial support to the DPSCD Foundation. The automotive industry, including involvement from companies such as Ford Motor Company, shows a clear interest in STEM education and workforce development.
Emphasizing the significance of STEM education, which is seen as crucial for future job market preparation and creativity, the gala aims to address the growing concern over disparities in STEM education access nationwide. This lack of access notably impacts students’ potential career opportunities and economic futures. Current data shows that the median annual wages for STEM careers sit around $95,000, while those in non-STEM careers report median wages of about $40,000.
Programs Enhancing STEM Education
Efforts to enhance STEM education are being furthered by initiatives from organizations like the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, who are developing programs aimed at increasing access to STEM. Additionally, DAPCEP (Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program), Detroit’s longest-running STEM program, is launching a series of STEM Saturday classes that will feature workshops led by industry experts. Research indicates that approximately 70% of DAPCEP alumni pursue careers in STEM fields, demonstrating the effectiveness of such early engagement initiatives.
Moreover, Detroit Catholic Central has unveiled a new STEM facility equipped with advanced technologies in aviation, robotics, and engineering, further expanding opportunities for learning. Recently, DPSCD announced receipt of a $1 million donation aimed at bolstering automotive training programs, which will foster hands-on learning experiences and connections with local dealerships. Such investments are integral to the DPSCD Foundation’s mission to prepare students to be career or college ready upon graduation.
As the DPSCD STEM Awards gala approaches, community members and educational leaders remain optimistic about the future of STEM education in Detroit and the opportunities it will create for students.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit Free Press
- Detroit News
- CBS News Detroit
- Hour Detroit
- Detroit Catholic
- Wikipedia: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Google Search: STEM education initiatives
- Google Scholar: STEM education Detroit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: STEM education
- Google News: STEM education Detroit
