Our Future Demands STEM
Three photos included in document below press release. (Photos courtesy of Community Outreach Ministry)
Media contact: Dr. Mona Davies, Community Outreach Ministry, (951)698-7650, daviesmmd1@msn.com
Our Future Demands STEM
Community Outreach Ministry (COM) a 501 C 3 non-profit in Wildomar, held a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Mentor Protégé Workshop day camp at Aspire Community Day School (ACDS) in Hemet on October 30, 2018. Students participating in the back-to-back workshops were: three seventh grade boys, five eight graders (two girls and three boys) and two ninth grade boys. The COM mentoring team was made up of co-founder Bob Davies a retired engineer and Jacori Neal a tenth-grade student at Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore. Jacori has self-taught himself to build and program Meccano Robots as a hobby. Additional team members were Dr. Mona Davies co-founder of COM and Marilyn Brown, Jacori’s grandmother.
“Gearing Up For STEM” Mentor Protégé Workshop was approved by the school principal to set up at 11:00 am and ended by 2:00 pm. The objective of the STEM workshops was to introduce beginner students to basic robotics. The goal of the mentoring team was to inspire youth to develop hands-on skills to build their very own robots in small groups. Once all the robots were wired and final assembled; the students had fun demonstrating their robots. The students were excited using the “tools of the trade” while practicing reading instructions and following step-by-step diagram directions. Together the students learned valuable lessons in teamwork and accomplished goals surrounding building a robot and technical skills comparable to real world on-the-job experience. Another objective of the workshops was to inspire students to seek higher education in STEM to be challenged and qualified in technology skills. This is important for them to know in order to acquire better vocational jobs earning higher pay for a prosperous future.
According to a Microsoft Infographic, the future of the United States demands technology skills in STEM related occupations. “Students need to be encouraged in the positive aspects of STEM in early education to prepare them for lucrative job fields: scientists, software developers and engineers. Currently there is a significant shortage of qualified college graduates to fill these careers. In order for the United States to play a leadership role in tough global challenges we must do a better job of engaging students in STEM subjects to pursue careers in STEM.” (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: November 2009 and 2010.
“What an amazing program! During the “Gearing Up for STEM” Mentor Protégé Workshops, students were able to share their experiences as they proudly demonstrated the functions of their robots with their peers.” Mahalo nui loa Community Outreach Ministry for making a difference. La Verne Williams-Schoonover, School Counselor.”
Community Outreach Ministry is a group of champions helping at-risk youth to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, drugs, gangs and incarceration through “Gearing Up for STEM” Mentor Protégé workshops. We believe God calls all of us to care, share and save the lives of struggling children to see themselves as future champions. We welcome $25.00 donations to give students an opportunity to assemble their own robot kits and elevate their expectations for a promising future. Donate https://chip-in-us/champions or text: 609-212-0627 to donate to champions at Community Outreach Ministry.
Contact:
Bob & Mona Davies, Co-founders
daviesmmd1@msn.com, (951) 698-7650
