April 14, 2012 - April 20, 2012, The Afro-American B1

By Belinda MerrittSpecial to the AFRO

Over 400 middle and high school students embarked on the campus of the New Psalmist

Baptist

church in anticipation of discovery and adventure in the world of STEM. The Sankofa Community Development Corporation in partnership with the STEMcx planning committee, area businesses, and New Psalmist Baptist church hosted the 2nd annual STEMcx conference on March 3.

Former astronaut Robert Curbeam held the young audience and parents

captivated with his unique knowledge and insight in

the role of the keynote speaker. He is currently vice president of Mission Assurance for Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems. U.S.

Rep. Elijah Cummings attended the conference

and acknowledged the importance of exposing our

youth to career opportunities in the fields of science, technology,

engineering and math. Historically, many African-American students do

not pursue higher education in STEM fields nor find encouragement or motivation from parents who do not necessarily recognize the hidden talent of their children. STEMcx conference is held to expose youth in middle and high school to careers as scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, as well as, presenting the careers in creative fun workshops. Rocket Science and Flight, The Science of Super Heroes, and Slam Dunk-The Physics of Basketball were popular middle school workshops. Kinect with Microsoft-Xbox 360 Exposed, The Chemistry of Cover Girl, and Trauma 101 were popular high school workshops.

A special seminar gave parents insight on the importance of encouraging and challenging their children to raise their academic standards and to seriously consider careers in STEM fields.

TRowe Price, Northrop Grumman, Baltimore Gas and Electric, The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, Anysolv Technologies, Inc., National Pan-Hellenic Council Inc. of Metropolitan Baltimore and Vaughn Greene Funeral Services are proud

community sponsors.

The Right Rev. Walter S. Thomas is pastor of New Psalmist Baptist Church.

Visit www.stemcx.weebly.com and www.americaspace.org for additional information about STEMcx and event highlights.

The 36th Annual Scholarship Benefit Fashion Show/Luncheon sponsored by the Prince George’s County Alumnae Chapter (PGCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, in partnership with the Prince George’s County Delta Alumnae Foundation celebrated the accomplishments of 19 scholars at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Md. on March 18. All scholars are enrolled in or bound for college or technical schools, received an astounding

$55,000 in scholarships, the largest amount awarded in the history of the Chapter and Foundation. Diane Venable, chapter president; Sinthea Kelly, chairperson of the Fashion Show; Carol A. Moses, chairperson of the Scholarship Committee and Eddimae Tisdale, chairperson of the Foundation welcomed more than 1200 guests to this annual benefit.

Notables included the Honorable Anthony Brown, Maryland lieutenant governor; Carolyn JB Howard, Maryland state delegate; Angela Alsobrooks, state’s attorney for Prince George’s County; Karen Toles, Prince George’s County Council; Ethel Rogers Grundy, PGCAC inaugural president; Dr. Charlene M. Dukes, president of the Prince George’s Community College; Elizabeth M. Hewlett, chair - Prince George’s County Planning Board – MCNPP Commission; and Jennifer Jones, chair - Prince George’s County Commission for Women. It was an afternoon filled with one-of-a-kind fashions, an endless and scrumptious lunch, a silent auction, vendors, the raffling of a full-length mink coat, $1,000, an Apple iPad and a Nook eReader, door prizes and reflections of previous scholarship recipients and their accomplishments.

2011-2012 Scholarship Committee, Carol A. Moses, chair

Cynthia Birks (far right), co-chair, Scholarship Committee with guests.

Inaugural president of the PGCAC, Ethel Rogers Gundy with Angela Ewell-Madison, 2nd vice president, Annapolis Alumnae Chapter.

Frenchettia Payne, chaplain of PGCAC giving the blessing.

National and Regional Delta officials with Md. Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.

Scholarship recipients on stage with chapter officers and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.

Diane Venable, chapter president, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and EddieMae Tisdale, Foundation, president.

Chapter member Dayna Fleming walks the runway.

High school friends, Yvette M. LaGonterie and Elizabeth M. Hewlett

Fashion Show Committee, Sinthea Kelly, chair (2nd from the far left, standing)

Photos by Rob Roberts

The University of the District of Columbia, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) hosted New York Times bestselling author and Princeton University historian, Dr. Martha Sandweiss for its second “Big Read” event, March 2. Dr. Sandweiss was joined by a panel of UDC faculty in a discussion about her awarding winning book, PASSING STRANGE: A Gilded Art Tale of Love and Deception Across the Color Line. UDC faculty participants were Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber, Dr. G. Derek Musgrove (History), Dr. Matthew Petti (English) and Dr. Taqi Tirmazi (Social Work). The audience of students and faculty enjoyed an engaging discussion and question and answer session as they focused on the secret life of Clarence King. King was a late 19th century writer and explorer who lived a double life; the first as the prominent white geologist and writer Clarence King and the second as the Black Pullman Porter and steelworker named James Todd. He passed across the color line, revealing his secret to his black common-law wife, Ada Copeland, only on his deathbed. The “CAS READS BIG” is a newly launched, common read initiative by Dr. April Massey, associate dean which exemplifies efforts to engage students beyond the classroom and show the world as a learning lab. The inaugural “Big Read” event held in October 2011, featured the book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. These engaging and informative events are examples of the College of Arts & Sciences evolving scholarly directions and expectations.

Panel participants-left to right-Dr. Mohammad Tirmazi, Dr. Matthew Petti, Dr. Margaret Sandweiss, Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber and Dr. G. Derek Musgrove

Dr. Benson Cooke, Dr. April Massey, Author Sandweiss, Dr. Kathleen Dockett and student, Steven Jones.

Dr. Margaret Sandweiss with UDC students.

Dr. Margaret Sandweiss with panel participants - Dr. Tirmazi, Dr. Jowers-Barber, Dr. Musgrove & Dr. Petti.

Author Sandweiss signs books for UDC students and faculty.

Dr. Sandweiss with CAS Administrators-left to right-Dr. Lena Walton, Dr. Shiela Harmon Martin, Dr. April Massey & Professor Maxine Legal.

Photos by Bill Tabron

Dr. Sylvester James Gates, Physics Professor, discusses the physics of football

Congressman Elijah Cummings and Robert Curbeam, former astronaut and Vice President, Mission Assurance for Raytheon Companies

STEMcx planning committee members,Talib Horne, Patrick Johnson, Sandy  Adams (Chair), Jerry  Archer, Jarrod Archer,  Belinda Merritt, Genia Loving-Clash and Kafi Parker

Letitiah Etheridge, CSI Forensic Educator, discusses forensic science

Pete Ganon search for fossils with Sidney Roseborough and Annesa Rahim

Maurice Sarjeant works with students on robotics

John Murach, Director of Business Planning and Danielle Smith of BGE gave a presentation on alternative enery and cars

Phoebe Tsoi and Carman Williams works with Sean Martin

Joe Barber, Director of Education Programs National Aquarium disusses sharks and dolphins with students.

Photos by Bill Tabron

Baltimore, MD

Greenbelt, Md.

Washington, D.C.