PESA is a proud contributor to the National Society of Black Engineers’ (NSBE) Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) program. SEEK is a three-week engineering immersion program for third through fifth graders, which helps expose under-represented communities to STEM. Recently, PESA participated in Partner Day with SEEK Virtual, a new online program created due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On a weekly basis, students in the SEEK program are presented with an engineering challenge to build a glider, a catapult and a bridge. Projects must pass three different testing criteria to prove correct construction and execution. These challenges effectively introduce students to engineering concepts.
As students experiment with different approaches to constructing devices that meet challenge requirements, mentors reframe “failures” by guiding students through analysis of strengths and weaknesses in their approach and finding new solutions.
PESA and other sponsors joined the virtual classrooms to watch students from U.S., Canada and Nigeria present this year’s final challenge: bridge construction. Students took over the virtual meeting and discussed their work building and strengthening their bridges.
Parents joined the call and discussed how this year’s virtual format allowed the entire family to join the fun, and learn about STEM topics, by helping with aspects of the challenges.
With more than 17,000 members worldwide and 500-plus chapters, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is one of the largest student-governed societies based in the U.S. NSBE is committed to increasing the number of African American and minority engineers by fostering academic excellence, professional success and positive community involvement.
PESA’s Energy Educators Committee coordinates educational initiatives and contributions, including the IPAA/PESA Energy Education Center and STEM education at elementary, secondary and undergraduate levels. The committee also sponsors fundraising activities for these efforts.
If you are interested in joining any PESA Committee, please contact PESA Vice President Strategy & Programs Molly Determan.
[gdlr_button href=”https://youtu.be/JYuz0AeuH9A” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#3d90c7″ color=”#ffffff”]WATCH THE PROGRAM VIDEO[/gdlr_button]
