Verizon and Texas Southern University have announced a partnership focused on exposing middle-school minority boys across Houston to coding, application development, 3D printing, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs and related career opportunities.
The Verizon Minority Male Makers Program at Texas Southern University is a first-of-its-kind, two-year program designed to introduce young male students to the skills that will lead to career opportunities.
“There are many programs across the country that focus on introducing girls to career opportunities in STEM fields,” said Krista Bourne, President, South Central Market, Verizon. “We want our middle school boys to have the same access to learning about technology. We want to reach them at a young age so they can become the technology leaders of tomorrow.”
This is Texas Southern’s first year of participation in the Verizon Minority Male Makers program. TSU plans to mentor 200 middle school boys in the summer program that begins June 6. The program will consist of four one-week sessions where boys will get hands-on experience with 3D printing, coding and app development.
Several middle-school students from KIPP Spirit College Prep were present for the announcement, along with city dignitaries, Houston ISD officials, and TSU deans and professors.
TSU President Dr. John M. Rudley said that Texas Southern University is already a standard-bearer for STEM curricula.
“This program, in partnership with Verizon, will widen TSU’s reach by bringing young black men to our campus, making it clear that a college education and a better life is within their reach,” President Rudley said. “We hope that this initiative will encourage them to pursue higher education, and hopefully, with a degree from Texas Southern.”
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Tuesday, May 31st 2016 at 6:51PM
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