September 14, 2018

 

Fourteen students from Diamond Bar High School and seven engineering mentors studying at Cal Poly University Pomona completed a six-week summer training program that is now becoming a year-long mentoring opportunity.

 

The pilot program, known as a STEAM Academy, was funded by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and is designed to encourage high school students to select engineering as a major in college.

 

The fall through spring mentoring program will consist of 60 hours over 30 weeks.

 

Students will be exposed to today’s cutting-edge technology and its social impact, learn about theories on diverse perspectives and inclusion, and experience design thinking and creation firs hand. They will collaborate with Lincoln Lab/Beaver Works at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

“The purpose of the program was for rising seniors like myself to have a summer internship relating to STEAM,” said Diamond Bar High senior Melvin Houston who helped spearhead the program.

 

“The pilot program turned out so well, especially since it was the first time being offered. The goal was to create a mock-up/prototype of our products. Despite time constraints of a six-week course, we were still able to create the most important parts.”

 

He said the program reinforced his interest in attending Cal Poly Pomona and studying engineering.

 

“I plan to apply to Cal Poly Pomona’s engineering program – it is very competitive and well respected.”

 

“I am so proud of Melvin and the work he has done connecting with Cal Poly and facilitating this experience for our school,” said Diamond Bar High Principal Dr. Reuben Jones.

 

For more information about this mentoring program, please email Cal Poly Professor Dr. Angela Shih at [email protected].