Empowering Our Youth / CYEP STEM Mentoring Program
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Capital Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) aims to transform lives, communities, and industries by empowering communities, families, and youth with the necessary resources to advance, achieve and inspire.
CYEP's STEM Programming Empowers Young Minds
3 Pillars
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Teach
The program mentors support each student’s commitment to learning, positive values, increased social competencies, and positive identity.
Equip
The STEM aspect of the program equips students with computer literacy, coding fundamentals, robotics, forensic science, and much more…
Unite
STEM professionals and mentors expose students to college, and STEM fields and are role models for upward mobility
Our Why
Why we do this
Students in kindergarten this year will graduate in 2033. It is our responsibility to ensure that our children are prepared to lead our country in the 21st Century and compete in the global marketplace. According to a report by the Center on Education and the Workforce, there will be eight million jobs available in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related fields by 2022.
However, there are indications that a vast majority of the next generation of employees in America will be unprepared and unqualified to take advantage of these positions. This goes contrary to fact that there is a strong desire in this country for all students to perform to their maximum potentials. To reverse this trend, we need to provide our children with a strong academic education that includes a solid foundation in STEM, and guides them to pursue careers in STEM-related fields. STEAM is gaining traction as a movement in government and research circles as well.
How it Works
Summer Engineering Scholars Cadet Academy (SESCA)
SESCA was created to help students explore STEM related post-graduation options, including workplace development, military, and higher education. Interactive sessions on college readiness, workplace, and life skills are offered. Using a Microbit, they learn coding and design visualization to create an automated system. In groups, cadets will work to solve real-life problem using the engineering design process.
Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program for 5th Grade Students at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology STEM School and Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School
Summer Engineering Scholars Cadet Academy (SESCA)
Activity
Details
Day 1
Day 1
- Introduction to Camp
- Icebreakers (Get to Know Each Other)
- Introduce Engineering Design Project
- Begin Research & Brainstorming Phase of Project
- Breakout Groups with Engineering Teams
- Engineering Mentor Meetings (Meeting Topic: How to Research & Brainstorm, Assigning Roles & Responsibilities)
- Workplace Development: (Military Opportunities)
Day 2
Day 2
- Icebreakers (Team building)
- Intro to Coding using Microbits
- Microbit Challenges
- Breakout Groups with Engineering Teams
- Engineering Mentor Meetings (Meeting Topic: How to Incorporate Microbit to Design)
- Higher Education: College Search
Day 3
Day 3
- Virginia Tech Lab Visit
- Headshots
- Mid-Project Review & Feedback
- Breakout Groups with Engineering Teams
- Engineering Mentor Meetings (Meeting Topic: Building Phase)
- CYEP Youth Empowerment Session
Day 4
Day 4
- Icebreakers (Public Speaking Skills)
- Breakout Groups with Engineering Teams
- Engineering Mentor Meetings (Meeting Topic: Testing & Evaluation Phase)
- Create Student Success Portfolio
Day 5
Day 5
- Breakout Groups with Engineering Teams
- Rehearse Group Presentations
- Closing Ceremony for Students & Parents
Testimonials
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Mentor Jenny
Mentor Robert
Mentor Leeanna
Our Partners
Parntner Agency
Role
City of Alexandria (including the CSU)
- Program oversight
- Communication with grant maker
- Mentor training support
- Developmental Asset Training
Alexandria City Public Schools
- Student recruitment
- Supervision
- Snacks
- Parent Communication
George Mason University
- Mentor recruitment
- Mentor support
Virginia tech College Access Collaborative
Career Awareness
- Think-A-Bit Lab
- STEM supplies
- STEM Capstone project
- Graduation support
Our Partners
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City of Alexandria (including the CSU)
- Program oversight
- Communication with grant maker
- Mentor training support
- Developmental Asset Training
Alexandria City Public Schools
- Student recruitment
- Supervision
- Snacks
- Parent Communication
George Mason University
- Mentor recruitment
- Mentor support
Virginia Tech College Access Collaborative
- Think-A-Bit Lab
- STEM supplies
- STEM Capstone project
- Graduation support
STEM Gallery
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