Next Generation of African American STEM Leaders And Entrepreneurs Prepare to Demonstrate Proficiencies During 12th Annual Dr. Frank S. Greene Program Science Fair. January 25, 2014 | Cypress Semiconductor, San Jose
Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, professor at the University of Georgia and director of its Atmospheric Sciences Program, recently pondered in “Ebony” magazine “Why African Americans May Be Left Out of the 21st Century Job Market.” … There is a glaring need for African Americans who are competitive in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, but a continuing scarcity in these careers.
Shepherd notes, “US News” concluded that careers in science and technology are the best jobs. But he has determined, “Many African Americans won’t be prepared for these jobs due to woeful under-representation in STEM areas. The National Science Foundation found that only 9.9 percent of Master’s degrees in STEM fields were awarded to blacks as compared to 63.2 percent of whites.1
Since 2001, the Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars Program (GSP) has worked judiciously to increase the number of students of African and African American ancestry who choose STEM academic paths and careers.
San Jose/Silicon Valley, CA: Vying for more than $5,000 in prizes, bragging rights and the chance to compete in the regional Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championships, over 100 students of African and African American ancestry in grades three through 12 are preparing for the 12th annual Dr. Frank S. Greene Science Fair. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2014, Cypress Semiconductor will host the longest running African American Science Fair in the state of California at its site located at 198 Champion Court in San Jose.
GSP program director Gloria Whitaker-Daniels, states, “The global job market and STEM driven economy demands that today’s students not only develop critical thinking and communication skills but are proficient in science, math and technology.”
Whitaker-Daniels continued, “The Dr. Frank S. Greene Science Fair adheres to scientific methodology and experimental design for all projects because of this demand and our aspirations for our science fair participants to succeed at the regional, national and international levels. We invite friends, family, parents, teachers, school principals, Bay Area professionals and all STEM enthusiasts to attend our program’s 12th annual science fair, and join us in recognizing the quality of our young scholars’ STEM projects.”
About the Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars Program (GSP):
Sponsored by the California Alliance of African American Educators, the Dr. Frank S. Greene Scholars Program was created in 2001 to increase the number of students of African and African American ancestry choosing careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and, math (STEM).
One hundred percent of the scholars graduate from high school and are admitted to college. Ninety percent graduate from college in four years. Nearly 40% of the students participating in the GSP program graduate from college with degrees preparing them for STEM careers, which is nearly five times the national average for students of African ancestry.
For additional information about the Greene Scholars Program and its science fair, please visit www.greenescholars.org.
1 Resource: MadamNoir: workforce-of-the-future
