The National Society of Black Engineers-Arkansas Alumni Extension Chapter (NSBE-AAEC) recently announced the 11th Annual Project Starting Block Seminar. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2001, at the Southwestern Bell Auditorium, 1111 West Capitol in Little Rock.
Project Starting Block is a four-part mentor program aimed at minority high school students with an interest in engineering; however, all interested students are invited to attend. The purpose of the program is to inform Arkansas students about the field of engineering through seminars, college campus visits, and industry tours. During the seminar, representatives from various Arkansas universities and corporations will present vital information regarding the various fields of engineering, obstacles students face as today's youth, courses that students should take while in high school and preparatory requirements for college life.
"Project Starting Block" originated in 1990, and was designed to acquaint high school students, primarily sophomores and juniors, with multi-disciplined engineering activities. Over the years, the NSBE-AAEC reports that over 750 students have participated in the program.
A letter to high school principals, along with a student information packet, will be included in the weekly Department of Education mailing to superintendents. The organization strongly requests that high school counselors submit all signed student data forms by Friday, February 16, 2001.