Through SEMAA, juniors and seniors learned of an opportunity to meet and greet other students in SECME programs that have excelled in academics and are enthusiastic about Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). There were also conferences that started on January 23rd and went on until the 26th, but the Luncheon was on the 25th. Everything took place at the W Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. I went to the morning conferences on the 25th and heard some great speakers. Michele Williams was on of the main directors, and she explained about everything SECME is doing to promote and enhance the education of STEM in schools and communities. Then at the Luncheon we had great food and we sat at tables with representatives from colleges and companies, such as Georgia Tech, Lockheed Martin, Vanderbilt U, Eaton Corporation, MIT, NASA and many more.
As the honored guests at the luncheon, our only assignment was to meet as many reps as we could and collect at least 5 business cards. I do believe I met ALL the reps and got a TON of business cards. The representatives were practically throwing them at us. A few of them were so eager to recruit us they went around asking all of us for email addresses. Some of them even offered scholarships right there if we went to our schools, such as University of Texas-Houston, so that was neat. We also got a sizable packet of a list of schools and the scholarship offers they would make to us if we went to their school.
At the luncheon we talked for a little while and then they called us up one by one. Mrs. Williams read our bio while we received a framed certificate and two bags of goodies. One black bag had the SECME/NAMEPA and a handful of ink pens with logos and the other bag was a drawstring bag that was stuffed with at least 10 pounds of folders, brochures, booklets and goodies. I sorted through all the paperwork and played with all the fun toys! I got some great ink pens, 2 pocket calculators, a book light, posters, a mousepad, a beanie, a cd case, a t-shirt, and two flexible flashlights/laser pointers. But I think the best part was speaking to Stephanie Brown-Houston from NASA Glenn Research Center and she offered me a chance for an internship there this summer.
Altogether it was a wonderful experience. I met more people and learned more about research opportunities that I ever would have otherwise. I hope that GRASP students in the future use this chance to expand their choices for further education and make connections.
-Brenna Dittmar
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