Students at Texans Can Academy - Dallas Oak Cliff participated in science, technology, engineering and math activities at Great Mind in STEM's Viva Technology program.
High school students at Texans Can Academy - Dallas Oak Cliff got the opportunity of a lifetime when Great Minds In STEM, a nonprofit organization that focuses on STEM educational awareness programs for students from kindergarten to career, visited the school last week.
Los Angeles-based Great Minds in STEM partnered with Dallas-area Lockheed Martin for Viva Technology, an educational program that promotes college readiness, awareness and access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) among traditionally underrepresented groups. Texans Can Academies is a network of 14 dropout prevention schools for students who have struggled in a traditional high school setting, focusing on providing the highest quality education as well as resources both in and out of the classroom.
As part of Great Minds in STEM's national K-12 education programs, Viva Technology engages students, teachers and parents with STEM challenges that foster awareness, build skills in the applications of science and technology and provide a STEM education and career pathways. Through the Viva Technology program, approximately 100 students worked one-on-one with College Captains, peer mentors from local colleges, and professional role models from Lockheed Martin Corporation to complete STEM project-based exercises that challenge their understanding of the Engineering and Science Design Process.
“Texans Can Academies is excited for the opportunity to partner with Great Minds in STEM and Lockheed Martin with the goal of inspiring students through science, technology, engineering and math concepts,” said Richard Marquez, president and CEO of Texans Can Academies. “The Viva Technology Program provides opportunities that our students would have never had, and we are proud to help students gain the knowledge and skills that will allow them to reach their goals and promote access to sustainable career paths.”
As part of the program, parents participated in a STEM Orientation where they were provided information, materials and hands-on experiences to get acquainted with the exciting career opportunities in STEM. They also received STEM educational resources to encourage their students to pursue STEM fields. Additionally, the STEM Orientation focused on encouraging their students to excel in math and science to envision themselves as future engineers and scientists.