Dedicated students recognized for 12 years of DAPCEP

June 29, 2012 - PRLog -- On Saturday, June 30, 2012, the Detroit-based non-profit organization Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) will recognize 14 students for 12 years of participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, at a special graduation ceremony.

Since 1976, DAPCEP has provided state-of-the-art science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programming to underrepresented metropolitan Detroit youth in kindergarten through 12th grade. Despite the low percentages of minority and Latino student matriculation in STEM curriculums and professions, the 14 students to be recognized are examples of how DAPCEP helps students excel and prepare for further education and careers in STEM fields.

The students began their DAPCEP participation in the organization's kindergarten through third grade (K-3) Little Engineer That Could Program in 1999. The Little Engineer That Could program introduces children to STEM subjects. The program also has a parental development component that focuses on teaching parents how to create a good learning environment at home. After completing the K-3 program, the students continued on in DAPCEP's STEM programming through high school.

“This is a big accomplishment for these 14 students, and for DAPCEP,” said the organization’s executive director Jason Lee.  “In 1999, they were pilot students in our newly created Little Engineer That Could Program. The fact that they and their parents thought enough of their education and the STEM programs we offer, to remain through 12th grade, is a testament to DAPCEP’s viability.”

The students being recognized on June 30 will enter college this fall. Most are enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines.  

Terrell Mitchell, one of the students being recognized is a graduate of Southfield Lathrup High School in Southfield, Michigan. Terrell said his favorite DAPCEP experience was building an electrical circuit.

“I built the circuit out of wires, a battery, a light bulb, a wooden block, and a few light stitches. I like messing around with electricity and I’m really good with those kinds of things. I liked it.

Terrell is enrolled in Xavier University in New Orleans this fall. He plans on a dual major of mechanical engineering.

Also being recognized is Detroiter Vincent Gregory, who began DAPCEP while attending Bates Academy a Detroit Public School, and continued through high school at University of Detroit Jesuit. He remembers his first experiment.

"We were in a program at Visteon," said Vincent. "I remember that we put a pencil in water. The light goes through the water and made the pencil look different; like it bends or shifts. That fascinated me."

Vincent will attend Miami University in Ohio, majoring in architecture. Of his many years of DAPCEP, he felt that DAPCEP was putting him in the right direction. "I was learning so much, I just wanted to continue that trend."

In addition to the recognition the 14 pilot students will receive on June 30, current students in the K-3 Little Engineer That Could program will participate in a graduation ceremony.

The 12 Years of DAPCEP Special Recognition and Little Engineer That Could Graduation Ceremony is from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, June 30, 2012 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren in Detroit.

Media wishing to cover the event should inform Museum staff at Security or the information Desk that you are attending the DAPCEP event.

DAPCEP is a Detroit-based non-profit that provides state-of-the-art science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programming to under-represented metropolitan Detroit youth in kindergarten through 12th grades. Along with its corporate and eight Michigan university partners, DAPCEP serves more than 4,000 students each year at no cost to its students.  Ford Motor Company has been a key DAPCEP partner for more than 30 years. Visit the website, www.dapcep.org, for more information.