More on S.T.E.M. - A Twist on Gaming

Last week I cited a recent article in Black Enterprise, "STEM Spotlight - Game Time" in February's issue.  To continue the dialogue concerning the effect S.T.E.M. will have on not only our current generation but many generations to come, here are some interesting stats, from BE Mag:

 - "African-American youth spend about 50% more time with media than whites, but they make up
    [a mere] 2% of people working as developers, engineers, or designers in the gaming industry."
 - "Blacks make up single digit percentages in most industries requiring a high level of proficiency in
    S.T.E.M., and the mathematics achievement gap between blacks and whites is 26 points among
    fourth graders and 31 points among eight graders - roughly equivalent to three years of learning."

    [Tabula Digita, Credit: Crains New York Business]  

A young entrepreneur has answered the call and launched an exciting video game in 2003 in response to these staggering statistics - called DimensionU.  DimensionU is a game-based learning resource for K-12 students where students can access 3D multiplayer educational video games that help them home math and literacy skills, connect with friends and collaborate their learning with peers.  The result?  A record 20% - 30% improvement in math scores in 50 school districts across the country.  A home-based version of the game is now available, as of November 2010.

And yet another trailblazing example...the founder of Uplift Inc. plans to pool foundation funding to create YouthAppLab - a program designed to teach African-American and Latino children in Washington D.C. how to build mobile apps. 

The intent - bring the learning and education to the students in way that's relevant and speaks to them.  If students are playing hours and hours on video games, why not make it educational for them?

That's the key - education reform and supplemental training that meets the needs and demands of today's modern economy.  We want our kids to be prepared to succeed and that begins with knowledge and opportunity.  And Project Still I Rise is definitely doing its part in the Dallas community.

Visit http://www.psir.org/ for information on how you can get involved with PSIR's STEM programming or support initiatives.  Upcoming events - S.T.E.M. Summer Camp at the University of Texas at Dallas, June 2011!