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COURTESY PHOTO
DAPCEP student Yonikka Jackson shows off a science fair project. Annually, Detroit DAPCEP students claim more awards at the Metropolitan Detroit Science and Engineering Fair than students from suburban schools. |
The Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program offers many young students a chance to explore opportunities in the fields of math, science and engineering. Contests and fairs highlight the hard work and successful achievements of the participants.
DAPCEP in-school programs are offered throughout various schools in Detroit. Approximately 1,500 students currently participate in the program, and, each year, the number of applicants seems to increase.
Last fall, 3,000 students applied for the DAPCEP program – the largest number of applicants to date. Unfortunately, not all of them could be accepted.
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COURTESY PHOTO
DAPCEP student Yonikka Jackson shows off a science fair project. Annually, Detroit DAPCEP students claim more awards at the Metropolitan Detroit Science and Engineering Fair than students from suburban schools. |
Other programs offered by DAPCEP include summer enrichment programs, which last four weeks and welcome some commuter and residential students; Saturday enrichment programs, which last six weeks during spring and fall; and kindergarten through third-grade programs, which offer younger students the opportunity to explore and become interested in the fields of math, science and engineering.
DAPCEP encourages students to take an active roll in their education and their interests, according to DAPCEP administrators.
"Students who are willing to come out and take Saturday classes have an obvious interest in mathematics, science and engineering," says middle school administrator James Buri. "This dedication speaks for itself. It indicates hunger or desire to participate in these activities."
Moreover, DAPCEP encourages independent learning. There is no textbook. All students work by themselves or in a group of similar-minded students.
But Buri says that the impact of the DAPCEP programs doesn’t stop with the students. It continues to impact society and the entire field of engineering in a positive way.
"These programs promote family because the parents must come to the class with their kids. This takes the program past just academic learning."
Students can show off their achievements to friends, family and community members in events such as the Multicultural Contributors Contest or the annual Metropolitan Detroit Science and Engineering Fair.
Buri explains that events like these show students that not all engineers look like Albert Einstein and careers in the science and mathematics fields can be exciting and self-fulfilling.
DAPCEP not only delivers educational enhancement, family togetherness and community outreach, but it also rewards its hard-working students. Several participants in the Multicultural Contributors Contest were picked to display their projects at the Henry Ford Museum in February.
"Other organizations want these kids’ projects as well – malls, schools, and churches," says Buri.