Let us be first to ask your help in the first of the year to be FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

Last month, President-Elect Barack Obama issued a call in his weekly address to support science education, “because the highest purpose of science is the search for knowledge, truth and a greater understanding of the world around us.” Let us be first to ask your help in the first of the year to be FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.

“Today, more than ever before,” said Mr. Obama, “science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation. It is time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and worked to restore America’s place as the world leader in science and technology. Right now, in labs, classrooms and companies across America, our leading minds are hard at work chasing the next big idea, on the cusp of break-throughs that could revolutionize our lives. But history tells us that they cannot do it alone.”

Engaging students in math, science, and technology is one of the most important factors in creating tomorrow's workforce. This is of particular importance in America, where math and science education is lagging behind other countries, leaving our nation trailing. At Seminole Ridge High School, the SECME club has undertaken several projects to combat this problem, with projects to promote excellence in engineering.

For 2009, SECME (Science, Engineering, Communication and Math Excellence) is facilitating a low-cost, high impact robotics program that will encourage more students to continue their education beyond high school and ultimately to choose science-, technology-, engineering-, and mathematics-related careers. In this highly engaging after-school program, students collaborate with their teachers and industry leaders, using their skills and knowledge in science, math, engineering, and technology to configure high-tech robotics to meet a preset series of tasks.

This is the type of program that builds interest from the ground up. Students acquire a ‘can do spirit’ and they get an opportunity to learn from their mentors and motivators in ways that build confidence and pride in their accomplishments. The VEX Robotics Design System starter kit contains everything students need to design a robot, with vast creative possibilities. This valuable project requires significant funding—each kit costs $700 – and is entirely supported by student fundraising and your donations. The teams will have eight weeks to design, build and practice maneuvering their robots before shipping them off to Embry-Riddle University in late March.

As our sponsor, you are invited to the kickoff and to follow along with a team of teenagers as they work side-by-side with professional engineers and technicians, parents and teachers. Through their mentoring, the students learn about the field of engineering and gain knowledge and experience in teamwork, time management, task sequencing and computers.

At Seminole Ridge High School, we’ll mark the beginning of 2009 with our vision firmly focused on the future, and the work that lies ahead of us. President-elect Obama finished his remarks on December 17th saying, “I am confident that if we recommit ourselves to discovery, if we support science education to create the next generation of scientists and engineers right here in America; if we have the vision to believe and invest in things unseen, then we can lead the world into a new future of peace and prosperity.”

Please support science education by making a generous new year donation now! Our mission is critical, our work is essential, and we look to those to whom our work matters most. We hope very much that you will be able to say “yes” to our appeal in any amount you can afford, and will truly appreciate whatever you can give. Please consider contributing most generously today.

Help us reach our goal before February 28th by making your checks out to:
Seminole SECME, 4601 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, Loxahatchee FL 33470

Thank you for your support! If there is some way you can help us, or if you would like further information, please comment in the section below.