Teacher and Student: Professor Edward Leonard of the Bio-Engineering Department (right) gives lab tour to Shenika Felix, junior at Manhattan Center High School.
by Bo Min Zhou
Teacher and Student: Professor Edward Leonard of the
Bio-Engineering Department (right) gives lab tour to Shenika Felix,
junior at Manhattan Center High School.
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) of Columbia University sponsored the Engineering Exploration Day on Saturday April 8, 1995, in which students Manhattan Center, Brooklyn Technical High School, and George Westinghouse High School were invited to campus for a day of learning and fun. Students went on a lab tour and talked with professors. Professor Edward Leonard introduced students to the world of biochemical engineering while Professor Carl C. Gryte gave students an overview of the industrial applications of polymers and thermoplastics. Akon Oton (SEAS '96), NSBE president-elect, gave students a demonstration in the CAD Lab.
Students also explored a stair climber designed by Columbia engineers that won third place in ASME design competition this year. Then, guided by Vincent Wright (SEAS '96), and Chenetra A. Taylor, a graduate student in computer science, students toured the EE lab, the Robotics Lab, and the Computer Graphics Lab. The highlight of the day was the bridge building competition. Under the guidance of Karimu Rashad, a civil engineering student, participants were challenged to build the best bridge as judged by its strength, weight, and creativity. Working like professional engineers, students demonstrated remarkable talent and imagination.
Students also explored career options in engineering with NSBE alumni, and talked about college life with current Columbia students. Peter Johnson, Associate director of Undergraduate Admissions, gave the guests an information session on the intricacies of the admission process.
Since its inception two years ago, the General Electric (GE) fund has allocated $20,000 to ten NSBE chapters throughout the country towards the GENES project, a successful collaboration effort between industry and universities in helping the community. In addition, GE has dispatched volunteers from its Elfun Society -- an employee organization committed to community service and leadership -- to act as professional advisors. GENES--an acronym for General Electric, NSBE, and the Elfun Society--aims to inspire and cultivate the interests of underrepresented minorities at the pre-college level to pursue careers in engineering and sciences.
The NSBE chapter at Columbia is one of the sites selected for the GENES Project. According to Yolanda Henry (SEAS '96), the Pre- College Initiative Chairperson, the Columbia NSBE members work chiefly with disadvantaged students from Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. Through weekly meetings, NSBE members try to nurture students's interest in engineering and sciences by exposing them to technologies ranging from audio recording to the internet. "We provide them the opportunity to experience the wonders of technology which they don't normally have," remarked Miss Henry, who also graduated from Manhattan Center High School.
According to Miss Henry, the GENES project has been successful in helping disadvantaged kids from the community who have few other such opportunities available to them. This year, four students from the program won full scholarships to Rice and Lehigh University. "With continued support from the Columbia community and General Electric, I envision continued success for this program," said Miss Henry.
