Buffalo high school students inspired by Black representation in STEM at STEAM Day

University at Buffalo faculty and student mentors, along with other STEM professionals, came together to facilitate a day of exploration, learning and mentorship for more than 100 Buffalo Public School students last month during the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK)/My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) STEAM Day.

With a focus on representation and mentorship, the Feb. 8 event held at McKinley High School highlighted the achievements of Black STEM professionals and college students, while providing participants with hands-on experiences and interactive workshops in engineering, coding, artificial intelligence, and environmental science.

UB participants who led workshops included Letitia Thomas, UB Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation project director, Monica L. Miles, assistant professor in the UB Department of Engineering Education, and members of the UB Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).

In an “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” session led by Thomas, students learned the fundamentals of AI technology, discussed ethical considerations and explored how AI is shaping various industries. They also received guidance on how to responsibly use AI in academics, with an emphasis on using available AI tools to improve work they’ve already done rather than using the technology to fully complete assignments.

“Educators are fearful that students will use AI to cheat, but these tools aren’t going away. AI has the potential to have a positive impact on student productivity and learning, when coupled with instruction on their proper use,” Thomas said.

NSBE led a session, called "Build, Code, Innovate: Engineering with LEGO Spike Kits," in which students explored robotics and coding through hands-on building challenges. The participants were shown how to apply programming concepts to create functional robotic designs, boosting their confidence in engineering and teamwork. Session facilitators included Delshana Merisier, Philomene Ngo-Kunde, Milton Morris and Maya Ramon.

Programs like STEAM Day play an important part in inspiring the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators by using education, mentorship, and hands-on learning to bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement, Miles said.

“By creating opportunities for BPS students to connect with Black STEM professionals, STEAM Day reinforces the importance of representation in STEM and helps students see themselves in STEM careers,” Miles said.

The MBK/MSK program, currently active in 15 Buffalo Public Schools, is dedicated to mentorship, academic enrichment and cultural empowerment. Established in 2014 by President Barack Obama, MBK supports boys and young men of color. Launched in 2023, MSK creates spaces for sisterhood, academic success and leadership development.

In another workshop, called “Design to Breathe: Exploring Air Quality Through Masks,” Miles and Computational Linguistics student Amadou Dieng introduced students to air pollution science and its impact on daily life. Using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Flag Program and the book, “Why Is Coco Orange?,” students were challenged to examine different types of masks and design their own functional models to combat air contaminants.

NSBE led a session, called "Build, Code, Innovate: Engineering with LEGO Spike Kits," in which students explored robotics and coding through hands-on building challenges. The participants were shown how to apply programming concepts to create functional robotic designs, boosting their confidence in engineering and teamwork. Session facilitators included Delshana Merisier, Philomene Ngo-Kunde, Milton Morris and Maya Ramon.

Programs like STEAM Day play an important part in inspiring the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators by using education, mentorship, and hands-on learning to bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement, Miles said.

“By creating opportunities for BPS students to connect with Black STEM professionals, STEAM Day reinforces the importance of representation in STEM and helps students see themselves in STEM careers,” Miles said.

The MBK/MSK program, currently active in 15 Buffalo Public Schools, is dedicated to mentorship, academic enrichment and cultural empowerment. Established in 2014 by President Barack Obama, MBK supports boys and young men of color. Launched in 2023, MSK creates spaces for sisterhood, academic success and leadership development.