CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON’S 2010 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BRAINTRUST ADDRESSES THE MINORITY ACHIEVEMENT GAP WHEN IT COMES TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS

Washington, DC — (Tuesday, September 14, 2010) Congresswoman Johnson’s theme for the 2010 Science and Technology Braintrust “Believing by Seeing” focuses specifically on the achievement gap for minorities that continues to widen despite significant strides made to level the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) playing fields. Congresswoman Johnson’s Braintrust will foster more tangible relationships and positive interaction between influential African-American role models in these fields and African-American youth.

“When children see someone who looks like them succeeding, then the prospects for those children to believe in themselves and reach their full potential are far greater,” said Congresswoman Johnson.

The Science and Technology Braintrust will feature two panels: the first “Individual Life Journeys” will feature prominent and successful role models in the fields of math, engineering and science. They will share their personal stories of struggle and triumph.

Dr. Benita P. Bell
Co-Director of the Minority Institution Astrobiology Collaborative (MIAC)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Dr. Benjamin Carson
Professor of Neurosurgery, Oncology, Plastic Surgery and Pediatrics
Director, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery
Co-Director, Craniofacial Center
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Dr. Julian Earls
Former Director
NASA Glenn Research Center

Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr.
The Harris Foundation
NASA Astronaut (First African American to perform a Space-Walk)

Debra L. Lee
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
BET Television

Mr. Lonnie G. Johnson
President and Founder
Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.

Mr. Leland D. Melvin
NASA Astronaut (STS-122 Atlantis ` 24th Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station)
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Mr. Rey Ramsey
President and Chief Executive Officer, TechNet
Chairman, One Economy

Dr. Janet C. Rutledge
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
University of Maryland Baltimore County

*Moderator: Leslie Foster – WUSA 9 Weekend Anchor

The second panel “Believing by Seeing: STEM Schools’ best Practices & Student Success” highlights personal testimonies from prominent (STEM) schools.

Coppin Academy for Pre-nursing Success (CAPS) [Baltimore, Maryland]
Dr. Marcella A. Copes, Dean, Coppin State University Helene Fuld School of Nursing
Dr. Bevin Philip, Executive Director MD Academy of Technology & Health Sciences High School (MATHS)
Dr. Frances C. Gordon, Project Coordinator – Coppin Academy for Pre-Nursing Success CAPS)

Howard University’s Middle School of Mathematics and Science (MS)² [Washington, DC]
Sue White, Principal
Yohance Maquebela, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Development
John Goudeaux, Chief Academic Officer

Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet High School [Dallas, TX]
Ms. Sandra Cato, Math Teacher
Mr. Keivon Spencer, Science Teacher


United Negro College Fund
Karl W. Reid, Ed.D.
Senior Vice President

*Ms. Alice Black, Executive Principal, Yvonne A. Ewell Townview High School

The Science and Technology Braintrust will be held at the Washington Convention Center, on Friday, September 17, 2010 in Ballroom B from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.


 
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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.