Memorandum

To: Erik Mortenson

From: Miranda Romine (Carlynn, Xavier, Rakan, Shyyaan)
Sub: Civic Sectors Take on STEM Education for Minorities
Date: February 15, 2017

Now that the problem of lacking STEM programs in Detroit for minorities has been

established, a solution must be outlined. A great way to think about the solutions, would be to

evaluate the structures and institutions that deal with the areas around the problem. There are

many different level and sectors in which you could go to analyze the problem, but the civic

sector is one of the most important. The civic sector is defined as, a diverse array of nonprofit

organizations, associations, churches, and other institutions (Biggs 438). The public recognizes

the civic sector as the organization of charity and volunteer opportunities. There are many

organizations in which are involved in the furthering of education and awareness of STEM

programs; such as NSBE, AISES, and DAPCEP.

The National Society of Black Engineers or NSBE for short, is an association created to

increase the number of Black engineers and to positively impact the community around them.

This society is run through a membership, which is comprised of over 300 pre-collegiate,

collegiate, and professional chapters (nsbe.org). Its programs focus on the education and

learning experience of African Americans inside and outside the classroom, starting with summer

programs for k-12 students; however, the society is based upon payed membership and dues.

This means that its reach to low income families, which makes up a large percentage of Detroit,

is low and causes many of its attributes to be undermined by its lack of effectiveness among

these people.
 Another organization with the mission of STEM education is the American Indian

Science and Engineering Society. AISES is a national, nonprofit organization focused on

substantially increasing the representation of American Indians in science, technology,

engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers (aises.org). Like the NSBE it is a chapter

program based upon memberships, and is really into scholarship work. Their secondary school

program is focused on the awareness and retention of STEM fields, by using events that aim to

increase exposure. Again, the expense of being a member of the program overshadows some of

the benefits of the program to minorities. Even though, they have an expansive reach across the

country, their limited ability to cover low income, and other minorities decreases the

effectiveness of the society altogether. This program would also not likely work for Detroit, due

its small Native Americans population.

The last and most relevant institution is DAPCEP, The Detroit Area Pre- College

Engineering Program. A nonprofit organization with 40 years of experience partnering with

universities, training programs, and k-12 school systems in order to connect youth to the best

science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational experiences in Michigan

(dapcep.org). The program is geared toward students in elementary to high school that live in

southeast Michigan. The program has had great retention rate and is one of the best and most

supported STEM programs in Michigan. Even though, there is a substantial tuition involved in

the registration to this program, grants can be awarded to those of lower income, which allows

this program to reach farther than others. According to a study by the University of Michigan,

A significant portion of the students participating in the program I year 1 achieved the outcomes

and, in some cases, exceeded the expectations (Varde). Being one of the most influential
advisory for STEM education in Michigan, their assets and abilities would make for a great

starting place of expanding the reach of STEM awareness.

Bibliography

Biggs, Selden, and Helms, Lelia B. 2006. Practice of American Public Policymaking. Armonk,

NY, USA: M.E. Sharpe, Inc.