African Americans contributions in STEM

By Runako Gulstone and Contributing Editor Cora Atkinson 

 

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is an umbrella under which some of the most prominent academic and professional disciplines fall under. STEM includes professions such as law, medicine and technology and together they represent industries that thrive on innovation. They are also industries that people of color have been contributing to for generations upon generations. 

Although STEM as an acronym may be fairly new, the history of African American leaders in STEM is not. Consider pioneers like Garrett Morgan, inventor of the traffic light and gas mask.  Agricultural scientist George Washington Carver, who in addition to being credited for creating the tasty snack, peanut butter contributed numerous recipes for improvements of products we use today ranging from axle grease to soap. It is important that this generation of young people continue this legacy.

STEM is in our lives every day.  For instance, take your personal life line the Smartphone.  Its ability to check your e-mail, access multiple social media accounts and have an app for almost anything you can think of required someone working in the STEM field to produce this technology.  These professional were trained in designing and maintaining layers and layers of data and code to make it all work. How about the equipment you use when participating in sports?  In order to make sports equipment better and safer, people who are knowledgeable about physics are often consulted. Also the weather person who gives us the latest info in the morning before we begin our day at school is often trained in atmospheric sciences which are used to predict and distinguish a rainy afternoon from a hurricane or other natural disaster.

STEM professionals do all of these things and much more. Their skills are being put to use in a host of innovative ways. Why shouldn’t you be one of them?  Not convinced?  Here are more members of the STEM community you should know.

Benjamin Banneker – Designed the layout for Washington D.C. 

Lewis Latimer - Invented an important component to make the light bulb work; worked with Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell 

Benjamin Carson – World renowned surgeon, known for being the 1^st surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins

Janet Emerson Bashen - The first African American female to hold a patent for a software invention.

Marie Brown - The first video home security system was patented

Jan Ernst Matzeliger -  invented a key piece of shoe making technology that helped increase shoe production by 90%

Madam C.J. Walker - invented many hair products for African American women; known as the 1st African American female millionaire

Dr. Patricia E. Bath - invented a surgical technique that has helped many blind people see 

College Knowledge: How to Stand-Out in Your College Interview

By Darby Baham 

The end of February is almost here! And I know you’re excited because you’ve taken your SATs and ACTs, submitted your college applications, and applied for FAFSA. But the grind to getting into your top choice college is not quite over yet.  For many of you, the next step will involve the dreaded college interview. To make things easier and to ensure your interview leaves a lasting and great impression, be sure to follow some of these rules to stand out from the crowd.

Dress to Impress

Remember: this is not an interview to work at your favorite retail store at the mall 5 minutes from your home. This is the interview that could make or break your chances of getting into your number one school (no pressure!), so you have to act like you know its importance. Dressing  to impress means wearing your best suit (renting/borrowing one if necessary), making sure your clothes fit (they are clean and wrinkle free), your shoes are polished, and that you are groomed to perfection (hair is cut/styled, nails are low, tattoos are covered, etc… - the small details count here).

Know information about the college/university

You want to know everything about the guy/girl you like so, why wouldn’t you do the same for the college you want to attend? Take the time to do your research before you step into that interview. This is your chance to decide if this is really where you want to spend the next 4 years of your life.  You should be prepared to ask questions about items not found on the website. 

Be able to answer WHY you want to attend their college

It sounds simple enough, but it catches people off guard all the time. This answer should be sincere, but knowledgeable. If you have a personal connection to the school, don’t be afraid to mention that. Just don’t mention the great basketball or football team as your reason – unless you’re going to the school on scholarship to play on one of those teams, that won’t help you gain any points.  

*Extra Tip: if you really do love the sports team your future college offers give an example of why it’s important for you to attend (i.e. mentioning a potential career path in sports etc). Whatever you do, however, make it count. 

Be the best “YOU” you can be

Once you’ve prepared and researched, all that’s left is to show your interviewers who you are. There’s nothing more intriguing and inspiring than to just watch someone be honest and vulnerable about his or her ambitions and desires. This is your chance to make an impression, but it’s not worth anything if it’s not about you.

Be on Time

It’s also not worth anything if you’re late, so make sure the best “you” is an on-time “you.”

Creative Ways to Pay for College

By Cora Atkinson 

 

Tuition costs are rising every year and just being able to afford the other college related expenses like books, a new laptop, etc. can feel overwhelming and much like an insurmountable task.  But thanks to the internet and little bit of research we have compiled a list of interesting ways to help pay for college.  Do any of these seem like a fit for you?

Tuition Free Colleges

Apparently some colleges are actually free!  Copper Union located in NY, NY is one of those schools that “…admit undergraduates solely on merit and awards full scholarships to every enrolled student. In addition to the full-tuition scholarship, our institution provides financial aid to help cover costs such as room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other personal expenses.” While this is just one such institution make sure to do your research and see what other schools may have similar opportunities. (collegeexpress.com)

Ask for Money from Friends and Family

While this is not ideal and this is something that makes you cringe at the thought of doing consider it as a way to supplement money for books and other expenses.  Instead of asking for money for graduation you can estimate the costs of books for a year or what it would cost to take an additional education trip abroad.  Not only will people be impressed at your fortitude but they may be inspired to give you more or pass on your info to other more financially stable friends.  Anything is possible and you never know until you ask.  (Financial Times)

Get free college credits in high school

Because you are already super smart and in advanced placement and honors classes you might want to check to see if those classes are available to be used as college credits.  If they are you may be able to save a few thousand dollars.  Check with your school guidance counselor/college adviser or check out the official AP website for more information. (Studentbank.com)

Consider College Grants

College grants are free –  and more importantly you don’t have to pay them back! Once you fill out the FAFSA, you are automatically in the running for federal and most state grants based on the financial information that you entered.  There are also many grants you can look at from top organizations such as the Gates Foundation.  (Studentbank.com)

Consider Applying for Local Scholarships

Sometimes we can become intimidated by scholarship programs that are from large organizations and feel our chances are slim at getting them.  Although I think it won’t hurt to try you may want to focus more of your energy on local community opportunities.  Look at local churches, some of them you don’t even have to be a member to receive one or try out a local company or organization.  Many of these places have scholarship programs and the pool of applicants is much smaller.

Bonus:  Don’t forget to apply for the Tripod Foundation Inc. scholarship program.  If you are graduating high school student from a school in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area then check out our program.