April 2022 C-STEM Newsletter

Message from Dr. Reagan Flowers

Early STEM Exposure Needed to Close Gender Gap

It’s no secret that women have long been underrepresented in STEM careers, but recent numbers show another problem. Since the 1990s, the number of women in these careers has increased. But, unfortunately, they have stayed relatively the same over the last decade. All this is in light of the fact that, in the coming years, there will be more tech jobs available than qualified candidates. So let’s take a look at how we can take action to help females take advantage of these opportunities.  Read the Full Article…

Be Part of Our Mission

Are you a teacher needing STEM/STEAM Toolkits? Register to receive a CenterPoint Energy scholarship for your students. APPLY NOW

Need Continuing Education Units? You can get up to 27 CEUs through the accredited C-STEM Teacher Training Institute. Training for preK through 12th grade are available. GET STARTED

Please help provide hands-on STEM activities for students who wouldn’t otherwise have access! DONATE NOW

C-STEM Challenge Competition

Challenge Day Celebrates Student Innovation

We were delighted to work together with Sheldon Independent School district in the Sheldon ISD C-STEM Challenge Day on April 23rd. 153 students from 9 schools competed at C.E. King Middle School. Thank you to those who put their all into competing, the educators who mentored them, those who attended, and our generous sponsors and partners.

Preparing for a Successful Event

Sheldon ISD teachers tapped into C-STEM resources to spend the past school year preparing for competition day. Through the Integrated C-STEM Training Institute, these educators engaged in professional development to enhance their students’ curriculum with hands-on project-based activities using C-STEM’s culturally relevant Pedagogy and a pacing guide to help structure the program to fit their school, campus, and student needs. The skills needed to lead a team in the competition are woven into the training.

Through C-STEM, each students receives a STEM toolkit that is used to create a solution to a World Water Problem (Adding any recycled and/or reused material). Students participating at the Sheldon ISD C-STEM Challenge Day showcased their projects in Robotics Prototyping, Innovation, Sea Turtle Sculpture, and Mosaic Mural.

Thank You to Our Partners and Supporters

The production of the robotics fields was made possible due to the generous support received by CenterPoint Energy. The robotics fields will continue to travel to various elementary and middle schools in the Houston community that are implementing C-STEM Challenge Robotics Programs supported by the Hess Corporation.

From the smiles on the faces of our C-STEM students and teachers, the social investment made by CenterPoint and Hess Corporation is immeasurable!

We salute the best STEM and Innovative Programs Champion for all Sheldon ISD teachers and students, Rebecca Zalesnik.

We look forward to next school year!

The 2022 Sheldon ISD Challenge Day Competition was fun, inspiring, and unforgettable!

Opportunities & Deadlines

Take action!

Watch this section for great opportunities coming up or closing soon.

Last Call for C-STEM Honor Cords

Request a C-STEM Honor Cord and have the chance to receive a scholarship. This opportunity is open to current and former C-STEM students.

Request cord by Monday May 2

10th State of STEM Education Breakfast
Friday, June 10
7:30 – 9 a.m.
The Junior League of Houston

Join us as we share C-STEM’s community impact, discuss the current state of STEM education and honor STEM community leaders Terry and Joycelyn Williams, and Dr. Kelly Coleman. (see more details below)

Register now

EEDC Class of 2022 College Send Off

Saturday, May 28
Noon – 2 p.m.
Emancipation Park Conservancy Cultural Center

The Emancipation Economic Development Council is celebrating this year’s graduating seniors at its Class of 2022 College Send Off! Ceremony and Reception. Graduating high school seniors living in the 77004 zip code who have been accepted to a university, community college or trade school are eligible to participate.

Get details and applyScreen Shot 2022-04-27 at 10.22.43 PM

Free Stanford Physics Program

July 11 – 29

The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a virtual summer outreach program hosted by the Stanford Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, designed to get high-school girls excited about physics. This 3-week program is completely free to participants, and is held through video chat.  First-generation students and students from underrepresented backgrounds in physics are particularly encouraged to apply. No prior knowledge of physics or coding is needed.

Apply by May 9

This Month's Highlights

Dr. Flowers Keynotes TSU Honors College Luncheon

Texas Southern University’s Thomas F. Freeman Honors College recently held its 4th Annual Spring Tribute & Luncheon honoring former TSU President, Dr. John Rudley and Provost, Dr. Sunny Ohia among  prestigious faculty and staff. Dr. Rudley founded the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College.  C-STEM Founder Dr. Reagan Flowers had the opportunity to present the keynote speech for the fundraising event. Dr. Flowers, a TSU alumna, is also an Advisory Board Member for TSU Honors College, which provides challenging courses and academic enhancement experiences led by world-renowned faculty and leadership.

Dr. Flowers spoke about her personal experiences, the work the college is doing and how that work impacts education as a whole. “As a STEM professional, I look forward to the positive force in society these students will have leading in STEM economic opportunity spaces with innovation and thought leadership – deepening understanding of cultures, unlocking the mysteries of nature, protecting human rights, identifying causes of diseases and developing cures, testing the feasibility of alternative energies, saving our rainforests, and developing sustainable agricultural practices”, said Flowers.

Help Us Build the Future of STEM

After being delayed two consecutive years due to COVID-19, C-STEM is proud to invite our community to the 10th State of STEM Education breakfast next month.

This your opportunity to help us expand our reach and impact in the coming years. Your support helps us change the lives of more students in bigger ways.

The event will be held Friday, June 10, from 7:30 – 9 a.m. at The Junior League of Houston. Join us as we honor Terry and Joycelyn Williams with the STEMing the Tide Award and Dr. Kelly Coleman with the C-STEM Ambassador Award.

The Stakeholder Breakfast brings together P-12 schools, higher education, professional organizations, corporations, and public servant leaders to receive updates on C-STEM’s community impact and the current state of STEM education.

This year’s theme is “The World Water Challenge: Creating Solutions”. This academic year, C-STEM students have focused their learning on understanding the challenges of the global water crisis and exploring innovative ways to respond to the challenges through water usage awareness and education, water conservation and water treatment.

Let’s get together and discuss how we can change lives through STEM education for underserved and underrepresented students. Thank you for your continued support — you are the voice for those who may feel voiceless.

Register now

Blast from the Past

We enjoy taking you down memory lane and are always hopeful that you spot yourself in a video or image that we share. C-STEM has touched so many lives in communities near and far. It is our hope that this memory places a smile on your face and warms your heart. We are so grateful for every member of the C-STEM family! Let us help you create your C-STEM Challenge Competition at your school or in your District.

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