University of the District of Columbia joins Anacostia High School in uplifting STEM partnerships

By Zsana Hoskins
Special to the AFRO

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and Anacostia High School co-hosted STEMs-Giving, a celebration of the new innovative programs launched at the high school as a part of UDC’s Developing America’s Workforce Nucleus (DAWN) initiative. The event took place on Dec. 14 at Anacostia High School from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and featured several guest speakers.

The initiatives celebrated at the event include a new hydroponics lab and community gardens—which will be placed in the high school, and the recent publication of the book “Through My Anacostia Eyes,” which was written by 12 Anacostia High students. The 72-page book features poems, essays and photos as students detail their experiences living in DC and their work with the environment.

“As a master of ceremonies, I draw my energy from the audiences. The love and support I felt from the Anacostia faculty and staff and our partners put me on cloud nine. I certainly appreciated the presence of the students and the parents, but they do not know me like the faculty and staff. The highlight was giving the award to our biggest funder and support, Pepco,” said Patrick Gusman, deputy chief of staff and executive director of strategic partnerships for UDC.

Other speakers at the event included Anacostia High Principal Kenneth Walker, UDC President, Maurice Edington and Caroline Brewer, editor of “Through My Anacostia Eyes.”

“Through My Anacostia Eyes” was produced in a six-week time frame by a dozen Anacostia High students who participated in a summer internship program sponsored by the UDC-Department of Interior (DOI) Justice40 Initiative, which was established by the President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee said he is thrilled about the book and the UDC-DOI partnership.

“This anthology really captured the perspective of DCPS students but also the Anacostia experience with lots of outdoor exploration, incorporating topics around science and math and literacy as well,” Chancellor Ferebee said.

The STEMs-Giving event also served as recognition for the year long successes the DAWN initiative produced.

The UDC DAWN initiative was created to address the challenges of underrepresentation of Black and brown professionals in the STEM industry by providing resources to public schools to create a wider talent pool for STEM employers. The initiative has received support from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Pepco Holdings, Apple, Giant, the U.S. Department of Energy and Environment in addition to several other entities in the private sector. 

Gusman believes the impact of the support of such entities has played a huge role in DAWN’s success this year.

“DAWN provides interesting, cutting-edge project-based learning experiences, the ability to deploy the knowledge in on-campus and external events, and access to internships,” said Gusman. “The financial contribution was indispensable. However, their commitment and, in some cases, friendship was a driving force in advancing the initiative.”

This year, DAWN doubled the number of students participating in the DOI Environmental Justice summer internship, added a literary component with the publication of “Through My Anacostia Eyes,” added a year-round internship to its programming, expanded its partnership with Pepco and the Urban Federal Partnership and supported the hosting of the District of Energy and Environment’s (DOEE’s) Rooting DC at Anacostia High School.

For Gusman, the benefits students reap from initiatives like DAWN are deeper than a broader knowledge of STEM.

“The high school students gain knowledge of cutting-edge technology like hydroponics and knowledge of environmental or climate change career fields which are not typically emphasized in economically challenged neighborhoods. The students also receive direct contact with future employers and opportunities to gain and interact with peer mentors from UDC,” Gusman exclaimed. “Future students also may have the opportunity to earn a two-year associate degree while in high school. UDC students also have direct access to future employers and gain experience in mentorship and other leadership tactics.”

This STEM partnership is just as beneficial for the sponsors as it has been for the students. For Julie Lawson, a program analyst with the DOEE, the STEMs-Giving event was an opportunity for her to hear how appreciative students are of the work being done.

“Students want people to know what they are getting to do and they appreciate all the adults leaning in on their education. Several came up to me the night of the event to give me hugs and thank me for all I do for them,” said Lawson. “But it’s not just me—we have a lot of DOEE staff and partners who support this work. Our goal is to support D.C. youth and residents in getting good jobs that help us meet our needs for a sustainable and resilient future.”

The DOEE has been a partner alongside UDC with Anacostia High since 2018. Through this partnership, Lawson said DOEE has provided programs to give students an understanding of the Anacostia River and its natural resources, renewable energy and environmental justice. Programs include summer jobs through the Green Zone Environmental Program, fishing and boat trips to the Aquatic Education Resources Center in Anacostia Park, building an electric vehicle to race in the Electric Vehicle Grand Prix and much more.

Opportunities like these help the students not only help students to learn more about the STEM field but actually see themselves in it. Chancellor Ferebee believes this kind of representation is crucial.

“The notion around exploring various careers and specifically spotlighting careers where we may not see the level of diversity we like, especially in organizations and companies around the district area…This is an opportunity for students to get that exposure and for them to think about their own personal life skills, and how that may relate to career opportunities,” said Chancellor Ferebee.

To learn more about the DAWN initiative and the partnership between UDC and Anacostia High School, visit www.udc.edu/dawn.

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