March 2020 E-Newsletter

Message from Dr. Reagan Flowers

Coronavirus Hard on Students With Limited Resources

The complete impact of the Coronavirus remains to be seen. Across the board, our efforts as a nation to keep our country safe are already having a significant impact on education. The announcements of school closings keep coming, and the dates for projected reopening continue to be extended. The hardest hit by these developments will be students from economically depressed communities.

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C-STEM Programs

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This Month's Highlights

Partner Spotlight: ASME

We are beyond excited to announce the continuation of our longstanding partnership the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Since 2002, ASME has supported the mission and vision of our work in the greater Houston community. Recently, C-STEM received a generous social investment of $25,000 from ASME. These funds will help our partnering schools create a sustainable C-STEM ecosystem on their campus. Thank you ASME for your commitment to developing STEM talent pipelines and helping us continue to advance STEM teaching and learning!

Houston ASME leaders: Craig Redding, Stuart Scott and Kyle Richter (first row); Brian Webster, Doreen Chin  (past chair, standing in place of Jean Francois Saint-Marcoux), Vicki Risinger, and Jim Kaculi (second row).

FREE Supplemental At-Home Activities

If you are looking for supplemental STEM activities to do with your student(s) at home, we invite you to take advantage of the FREE Anywhere C-STEM Tool-kits that can be mailed to you. The activity sheets can be downloaded via CSTEMbreak. Once you become a member, email info@cstem.org to request your FREE Anywhere C-STEM Tool-kits for Series 1 and 2. There are a total of 5 hands-on activities in each Series.

There is a limited supply and tool-kit quantities are limited to one per household. Click below to check them out:

Scholarship Opportunities for Students

Scholarship deadlines are looming for high school seniors. As C-STEM receives information about scholarships, we update the opportunities section of the C-STEM Mobile App and our social network, CSTEMbreak. This month we are spotlighting scholarships being made available by the Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. This Chapter awards five different scholarships to current high school, undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the Houston area. The scholarships are awarded to both male and female students. Each scholarship is a one-time award and has different criteria and guidelines based on its funding. Applications are being accepted through April 15. Check with the sororities and fraternities local to your area to see if there are scholarships you can apply for.

Upcoming Events

Annually, we look forward to updating our stakeholders on the state of STEM education at our breakfast. The  COVID-19 pandemic has been a moving target that is impacting the health of family members, friends, businesses we rely on, our economy, and the way we live our daily lives. Which is why we have decided to postpone our 10th Annual State of STEM Education Stakeholder Breakfast. Once we have the reschedule date, we will update you accordingly. We hope during this time you will give a monthly donation to support the operations of C-STEM. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Stay healthy and safe!

There is no Event

Community Spotlight

STEM Education Coalition Building

The STEM Education Summit is always a thought provoking and inspiring experience.  The Shell Oil Company and Smithsonian Science Education Center collaboration brings together STEM leaders from across the US. This was Xavier University’s second year hosting the summit that was previously hosted at Howard University. The commitment of the summit participants  towards attracting and retaining a diverse STEM Teaching Workforce is inspiring.

C-STEM Hosts Community Meetings

C-STEM is one of many anchor organizations in 3rd Ward that hosts community meetings towards the advancement of cradle to career education initiatives that benefit its residents. Earlier this month, C-STEM hosted  The Houston Coalition for Equitable Development without Displacement (HCEDD) Technology and Education Working Groups. The Coalition is working to develop, secure, enforce, and sustain a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with Rice Management Company.

Let's Talk Non-Profit Management

There is nothing like being in the studio with non-profit leaders who are talking shop. Check out this informative interview with our founder in the studio with Dr. Bob Sanborn. The reaction of some of the  Non-Profit Leadership students who viewed the interview comments include:

“Dr. Flowers had a wealth of knowledge to share!”

“The interview in particular was my favorite this week.”

“My favorite teaching tool was the interview with Dr. Reagan Flowers who laid out the cold heart truth about starting, managing, and sustaining a nonprofit. I appreciate her bluntness and candor.”

“Finally, was the refreshing interview with Ms. Reagan Flowers.  I have to admit that I enjoyed her spirit and honesty regarding fundraising.  She admitted that she fundraises because she knows that her unique position within the organization is a driving force behind obtaining the level of funding needed. I love hearing when leaders are servants to their cause, because it is the right thing to do.  That was the most MOVING part of the entire interview.  She selflessly gives of herself, expands out of her comfort level to advance the cause.”

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners

Executive Board

Advisory Board

Michael Aldridge
Shomari Williams
Joi Beasley
Zawadi Bryant
Bobby Bryant
Lucy Bremond
Antonio ‘Tony’ Canales
LaQuita Cyprian
Laolu Davies Yemitan
Gayle Fallon
Ruthie Esene
Michael Harris
Renee Logans
David Medina
Antoinette Jackson
Scott Minnix
Dr. Sandra Saldana Ortega
Susan Taylor
Dr. Frazier Wilson
Syalisa Winata
Ross Peters
Dr. Robert Satcher
Charles Samuel
Miloni Shah
Cherrilyn B. Nedd
Dr. Martina Ogbonna
Dr. Letitia Franklin Ozoude

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11th Annual State of STEM Education Stakeholder Breakfast

Please join us at The Junior League of Houston from 7:30-9:00 AM

11th Annual State of STEM Education Stakeholder Breakfast

Please join us at The Junior League of Houston from 7:30-9:00 AM