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Great Minds in STEM recognizes that American scientists,
engineers, entrepreneurs and visionaries have been at the
forefront of most major technological advancements, but we
will not be able to continue this legacy unless we draw on the
largely untapped power of our largest minority groups. It
calls for a strong, collective, national focus to unleash the
power of the populations in U.S. underrepresented and
underserved communities.
Its vision is “Keeping America technologically strong by
promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
careers especially in underserved communities.” Its mission
is:
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To inspire and motivate more underserved students to achieve
careers in STEM
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To enlighten and engage families, educators and employers to
support underserved students and communities in STEM careers
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To inspire our nation through recognition of the
achievements of Hispanics and other role models in STEM
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To enable and leverage Hispanic STEM talent to play a
leadership role
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To lead national collaboration and cooperation within the
STEM community
 Great
Minds in STEM evolved from the
Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference (HENAAC),
established in 1989 to showcase the accomplishments of
thousands of outstanding Hispanics in STEM. Corporations,
government agencies, academic institutions, the military, and
the business community have submitted thousands of nominees
over the last 19 years for this very prestigious recognition.
Great minds in STEM still produces the HENAAC conferences.
Tactics it employs to execute its mission and vision include:
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Programs: Develop programs that enlighten and educate
Hispanics and the underserved to pursue STEM; and that help
regional communities bring together resources to take
action.
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Association: Build associations and alliances with key
national leaders in industry, government and academia and
apply our expertise and access in the Hispanic community to
further the STEM agenda.
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Recognition & Retention: Provide platforms for the national
recognition of Hispanics, other STEM talent and
organizations to promote role models and help organizations
retain top talent through recognition.
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Recruitment: Provide venues and forums for the recruitment
of top Hispanic and underserved talent.
Demographic data identifies underrepresented and underserved
communities as educational weak links in a population already
being outpaced in technology education by developing countries
and being asked to endure more and more stress every day.
Underrepresented and underserved communities are vital to
America's future prosperity, due to their growing populations.
This dichotomy represents a crisis that is well documented,
but the solutions are not, at least not yet. That is where we
all come in.
What has also changed are the technological knowledge and
skills needed in today’s world. The programs listed below are
examples of the work this organization does.
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Viva Technology is designed to engage
inner-city and rural K-12 students, teachers and
parents in activities that stimulate their
interest and academic achievement in STEM
subjects. This innovative program features team
challenges; direct and intense interaction with
college engineering and science majors; and
powerful, eye opening conversations with world
class engineers, technologists, scientists, and
mathematicians - all on their own campus! The
Program has grown to have a national presence,
conducting programs in 13 states and positively
influencing the lives of over 50,000 students,
parents and teachers in the promotion of Science
Technology Engineering and Math Careers and
Higher Education. |
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STEM-Up is a HENAAC Initiative, funded
through a contract from the Department of
Defense as administered by the United States
Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District
office. The STEM-Up initiative in the Boyle
Heights area of East Los Angeles, connects
80,000 residents to the surrounding STEM
Community, consisting of institutions of higher
learning, government agencies, corporations and
other organizations. |
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The
HENAAC Conference has evolved to encompass
many activities, including honoring students,
providing opportunities for student leadership
development, and conducting a career fair where
both students and professionals can look for
employment. It is a forum where leaders
representing corporations, government agencies,
academic institutions, the military, and the
business community-at-large can discuss and
implement change for the betterment of our
country and the Hispanic community's involvement
in STEM. |
To connect with this effort,
click here.
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