It's All About STEM, Music, the Arts, and Planning for Future Careers

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Set to Host 15th Black Family Technology Awareness Day Program

Students, families, teachers, and community organizations are invited to attend the 15th annual Black Family Technology Awareness Day program that will be held on Saturday, February 2. The event, part of a nationally celebrated week of the same name, is designed to spur interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and the arts. 

This year's theme, "STEM Fest 2013! Connecting Minds to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through Music and the Arts, not only celebrates the beauty and experience of music and the arts, but also its' deep connection to STEM disciplines.

The program will begin at 9 a.m. in the Darrin Communications Center (DCC), room 308. Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson will deliver the opening remarks.

The event is free and open to the public. Individuals will have an opportunity to roll up their sleeves and explore more than 60 workshop sessions and hands-on activities led by Rensselaer professors, students, staff, alumni/alumnae, several area businesses, and local community organizations.

Sample workshop offerings include: getting an insider's view of the video game industry, creating plasma art, designing key chains, building a wind turbine, learning about electric vehicles, uncovering the mysteries of laser technology, understanding entrepreneurship, designing bridges using gumdrops, investigating different types of engineering, exploring nanotechnology, programming LEGO® Mindstorm robotics, learning about safe social networking, and more!

The program will also include a screening of the “Molecules to the MAX!” a 40-minute adventure that follows Oxy, Hydro, Hydra, Carbón, and other characters as they navigate the colorful world of atoms and molecules in search of life. With help of the Molecularium — a spaceship that can shrink to nanoscale sizes — the group explores the “secret worlds” and molecular structures of everyday objects, including a snowflake, chewing gum, a penny, and even a human cell. The screenings will take place in the Darrin Communications Center (DCC), room 308. The first screening will be at 10 a.m., and the second screening will be at 11:00 a.m.  

Registration is required to attend. Individuals are strongly encouraged to review the workshop offerings and descriptions. Please note, some sessions may run only once or multiple times. Individuals or groups will be able to register for up to three different workshops. If you are part of a large group, we ask that you break up into a smaller groups of five. This will allow other attendees to enjoy the workshop offerings.

Additional program highlights include the lunchtime exercise/dance break. This will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the Alumni Sports and Recreation Center (Armory). 

Also during this time, the five schools at Rensselaer will participate in a special “Show and Tell” showcase that will be held in the Armory. Each school will be represented by a faculty member, and student or student organization. Program attendees will have an opportunity to get an overview of each of the schools, learn about research projects and activities, and get a glimpse into the student experience.

The Black Family Technology Awareness Day program will culminate with a keynote address that will be delivered by Arel Moodie, the best selling author of Your Starting Point for Student Success, who is and is known as America’s Top Young Speaker. Moodie will deliver his remarks beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the Darrin Communications Center (DCC), room 308.

The White House chose to partner with Moodie and his company to host events engaging the country’s top young leaders. Inc. Magazine called Moodie a “High-Energy, Motivator” and named him to their “30 Under 30 list” of America’s coolest entrepreneurs joining people like Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Face Book. Essence Magazine said that Moodie “should be the poster boy for rags-to-riches stories…He is America’s Top Young Speaker.”  

You don't want to miss this event! For more information, visit: http://www.rpi.edu/dept/diversity/bftad/index.html

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, February 2, 2013!  

The Black Family Technology Awareness Day Planning Committee

*Note: This is the first time that we are using this website for registration. If any problems do arise during the registration process, please let us know. We truly appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this process.