Who Are We?
We are a chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) for students, grades 6-12, interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). We are advised mostly by working engineers who are also members of the NSBE Greenbelt Space Alumni Chapter. FIRE (Future Innovative Rising Engineers) was named in 2009 by the students in the chapter to reflect their future goals in the STEM fields. We meet 3-4 Saturdays a month during the school year at CMIT High School in Laurel, MD.
What Is Important to Us?
The first goal is to get students enthusiastic about science and engineering. We do that with engineering competitions and interaction with working engineers and scientists. For some students this is the first time they have thought about how things work or entered an engineering competition or built a robot or programmed software or built a model rocket. Through these activities we inspire further learning, curiosity and confidence. Our ultimate goal is for our students to go on to study and work in the STEM fields. Through interaction with those working in the field, we hope that our students will be inspired to pursue these areas. We also emphasize that students explore other opportunities that will spur learning and we try to pass on these opportunities whenever we can.
Engineering as a Competitive Sport!?!?
Yes! Engineering competitions are great way for students to build on technical skills and STEM concepts learned in school. They see first-hand how the concepts learned in the classroom translate to the real world. In addition, building skills like teamwork, organization, written and verbal communication, time management and leadership are also integral parts of the competition. We compete in several national competitions including VEX robotics competition (vexrobotics.com), FIRST Lego League (www.firstlegoleague.org), Junior Achievement, NASCAR Ten80 (http://www.ten80education.com) and NSBE’s Try – Math – a Lon.
Meeting Location
CMIT Academy High School of the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) currently allows FIRE to meet at their location every Saturday from 10 am to 1pm.
CMIT Academy High School
14800 Sweitzer Lane
Laurel, MD 20707
We are a chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) for students, grades 6-12, interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). We are advised mostly by working engineers who are also members of the NSBE Greenbelt Space Alumni Chapter. FIRE (Future Innovative Rising Engineers) was named in 2009 by the students in the chapter to reflect their future goals in the STEM fields. We meet 3-4 Saturdays a month during the school year at CMIT High School in Laurel, MD.
What Is Important to Us?
The first goal is to get students enthusiastic about science and engineering. We do that with engineering competitions and interaction with working engineers and scientists. For some students this is the first time they have thought about how things work or entered an engineering competition or built a robot or programmed software or built a model rocket. Through these activities we inspire further learning, curiosity and confidence. Our ultimate goal is for our students to go on to study and work in the STEM fields. Through interaction with those working in the field, we hope that our students will be inspired to pursue these areas. We also emphasize that students explore other opportunities that will spur learning and we try to pass on these opportunities whenever we can.
Engineering as a Competitive Sport!?!?
Yes! Engineering competitions are great way for students to build on technical skills and STEM concepts learned in school. They see first-hand how the concepts learned in the classroom translate to the real world. In addition, building skills like teamwork, organization, written and verbal communication, time management and leadership are also integral parts of the competition. We compete in several national competitions including VEX robotics competition (vexrobotics.com), FIRST Lego League (www.firstlegoleague.org), Junior Achievement, NASCAR Ten80 (http://www.ten80education.com) and NSBE’s Try – Math – a Lon.
Meeting Location
CMIT Academy High School of the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) currently allows FIRE to meet at their location every Saturday from 10 am to 1pm.
CMIT Academy High School
14800 Sweitzer Lane
Laurel, MD 20707