The Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) sees a future where science and engineering fields are filled with people from all walks of life.
That requires a lot of work in the present. According to the National Science Foundation, the 2010 Census revealed that 51 percent of scientists and engineers working in their professions were white males. African-Americans and Hispanics combined for only 11 percent of the fields.
“STEM is booming in Texas,” said TAME Executive Director Savita Raj. “There are so many interesting and challenging jobs in STEM industries.”
TAME’s mission is to help students pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) by creating partnerships among educators, industry, government and families. The organization is headquartered in Austin and has chapters across Texas.
TAME informs, educates and motivates students by implementing classroom and extra-curricular programs and activities focusing on populations that are underrepresented in STEM fields.
“We’re building a scaffolding of support around students,” Savita said. “Our programs are about skill-building and development of a peer and mentor network. Many of our students are the first in their family to go to college, and this network provides critical support on a psychological and a practical level.”
TAME recently received a $3,300 grant from the Sundt Foundation to send students to a state STEM competition. The event, offered at no cost to participants, brought together 283 high-achieving students from across Texas.
“The competition shows students they belong in this world of opportunities,” Savita said. “For some students, the nearest computer lab is four hours away. It’s that level of remoteness. Going to this competition shows kids a world beyond their immediate surroundings, introduces them to peers who are talking about college and careers, and shows them there are professionals interested in supporting them. It’s life-changing.”
TAME’s network of K-12 educators, institutes of higher education and industry help the organization share ideas and deliver targeted, relevant and cutting-edge programming. TAME offers programs to spark and support student interest in STEM, professional development and curriculum ideas for teachers and locally relevant events for families and communities.
“The best advocates in world are these kids’ teachers,” Savita said. “They are passionate and totally committed to education.”