CHL Preps Students for Future
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Mark Jourdan of the Hydrologic Engineering Branch and Marielys Ramos-Villanueva of the River Engineering Branch were given the opportunity to communicate on various topics including funding for college, life-changing experiences, as well as preparing for the future as professionals via Skype to students from George Washington High School in Chicago Jan. 22.
Villanueva and Jourdan were invited by Jourdan’s daughter, Molly Beth Kelley Jourdan to speak to her AP Chemistry class in inter-city Chicago, an institution that is predominately Hispanic. Molly is currently involved in a two year program called “Teach for America”, a program that recruits a diverse group of leaders to work toward expanding educational opportunities by teaching for two years in a low-income community.
Molly who initially started the AP class, decided to invite her father, Jourdan and Villanueva as well as other individuals involved in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), to get students more interested in the academic disciplines.
“These kids typically can’t imagine themselves leaving their neighborhood and she wants to get them excited about STEM” Jourdan said.
TFA estimates that only 8% of kids growing up in low-income communities graduate from college by age 24. Moreover, while 16 million American children face the extra challenges of poverty, an increasing body of evidence shows that they can achieve at the highest levels.
Through a collection of six video calls lasting approximately 20 minutes the speakers were asked to talk briefly about there educational background and experiences. According to Jourdan, the speaker who made the most impact was Villanueva.
Villanueva and Jourdan were invited by Jourdan’s daughter, Molly Beth Kelley Jourdan to speak to her AP Chemistry class in inter-city Chicago, an institution that is predominately Hispanic. Molly is currently involved in a two year program called “Teach for America”, a program that recruits a diverse group of leaders to work toward expanding educational opportunities by teaching for two years in a low-income community.
Molly who initially started the AP class, decided to invite her father, Jourdan and Villanueva as well as other individuals involved in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), to get students more interested in the academic disciplines.
“These kids typically can’t imagine themselves leaving their neighborhood and she wants to get them excited about STEM” Jourdan said.
TFA estimates that only 8% of kids growing up in low-income communities graduate from college by age 24. Moreover, while 16 million American children face the extra challenges of poverty, an increasing body of evidence shows that they can achieve at the highest levels.
Through a collection of six video calls lasting approximately 20 minutes the speakers were asked to talk briefly about there educational background and experiences. According to Jourdan, the speaker who made the most impact was Villanueva.
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Villanueva, the youngest of the group closely related to the students in that she was Hispanic and struggled while growing up due to her family’s low income.
“I talked to the students about how I came from a low income family and how I tried to look for opportunities to get a better quality of life,” said Villanueva.”
Villanueva opened up about her personal experiences and struggles as a student that she encountered while trying to obtain both an undergraduate and graduate degree.
“I worked while going to school and tried to have good grades and look for a scholarships.”
Many of the students were not excited about the prospect of college after high school considering their circumstances and instead veered toward the option of immediate employment However after the Skype talks, the students expressed there thoughts on possibly continuing their education.
“Its exciting,” Villanueva said. “They can see now that they have an opportunity to go to college,” said Villanueva.
Jourdan and Villanueva both plan to continue these lectures with Molly Beth’s students every year.
“I talked to the students about how I came from a low income family and how I tried to look for opportunities to get a better quality of life,” said Villanueva.”
Villanueva opened up about her personal experiences and struggles as a student that she encountered while trying to obtain both an undergraduate and graduate degree.
“I worked while going to school and tried to have good grades and look for a scholarships.”
Many of the students were not excited about the prospect of college after high school considering their circumstances and instead veered toward the option of immediate employment However after the Skype talks, the students expressed there thoughts on possibly continuing their education.
“Its exciting,” Villanueva said. “They can see now that they have an opportunity to go to college,” said Villanueva.
Jourdan and Villanueva both plan to continue these lectures with Molly Beth’s students every year.
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Ramos-Villanueva speaks during Engineering Week at St. Al's
Marielys Ramos-Villanueva of the River Engineering Branch, along with Mariely Mejias, Gerardo Velazquez, Gustavo Galan-Comas, and Javier E. Osorio of GSL, helped make the 2014 Annual Engineering Week in the Vicksburg area a success by conducting informative and motivational presentations.
The group of engineers presented "Engineering is Everywhere" at Warren Central High School, Vicksburg High School, Vicksburg Catholic, and Porter's Chapel Academy in an effort to promote STEM programs at the local high schools during the E-Week’s activities. The presentation covered:
-What is Engineering?
-Where is engineering applied around you?
-How to become an engineer?
In addition the engineers discussed information about ERDC as well as working with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). The group were also instrumental in organizing the logistics for other speakers from the ERDC and MVK to participate.
"It is really motivational to know that I am helping kids in some way to think about their future and what would be best for them." "The students were really excited with the topic, and were asking so many questions wanting more information," Villanueva said.
"It is good that they have exposure to information like this so early, that way they are prepared to
make better choices about careers and professional life."
The group of engineers presented "Engineering is Everywhere" at Warren Central High School, Vicksburg High School, Vicksburg Catholic, and Porter's Chapel Academy in an effort to promote STEM programs at the local high schools during the E-Week’s activities. The presentation covered:
-What is Engineering?
-Where is engineering applied around you?
-How to become an engineer?
In addition the engineers discussed information about ERDC as well as working with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). The group were also instrumental in organizing the logistics for other speakers from the ERDC and MVK to participate.
"It is really motivational to know that I am helping kids in some way to think about their future and what would be best for them." "The students were really excited with the topic, and were asking so many questions wanting more information," Villanueva said.
"It is good that they have exposure to information like this so early, that way they are prepared to
make better choices about careers and professional life."