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March 17th 2017
DDC’s Young Engineers Program at Teller Avenue Campus
The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), in partnership with Learning Through an Expanded Arts Program (LeAp), hosted its Young Engineers Showcase at the Teller Avenue Educational Campus in the Bronx, which includes the Academy for Creative Educations and the Arts (J.H.S 145), Urban Science Academy (M.S. 325), and the New Millennium Business Academy (M.S. 328).
The showcase highlighted the work of 26 middle school students in the school’s STEAM education initiative, a DDC program that introduces City students to the fields of science, technology, engineering, architecture/art, and math. Students in the Young Engineers program participated in a six-week course that taught fundamentals of environmentally responsible city planning as it pertains to public buildings and infrastructure. The “Young Engineers” program uses framework from the “Engineering is Elementary: Don’t Runoff” curriculum created by the Museum of Science in Boston, which introduces students to new and emerging technologies that will help counter the effects of storm water runoff in natural bodies of water. DDC STEAM enhanced the curriculum to include environmental justice issues and a study of the Bronx River, which is near the school and which can be negatively affected by storm water that mixes with sewage or litter on City streets. During the course, students engineered their own urban landscape and learned about the importance of the city’s combined sewage systems and overflow areas.
“This session was specially designed so that students can learn about the environmental issues here in the Bronx,” said DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora. “In support of Mayor de Blasio’s vision for quality education, we want to continue to teach students about sustainable engineering concepts and provide mentorship leading to careers in these fields.”
“Our goal for our Young Engineers is to have our students envision themselves as the engineers, architects and built environment professionals of the future, working to implement the concepts they’ve learned in their own communities, said DDC Deputy Commissioner of Community Partnerships and STEAM Initiatives Lee Llambelis.
“Early exposure to STEAM studies instills a scientific curiosity in students that will serve them throughout their academic career. I am proud of our students at the Teller Avenue Campus for their participation in the Young Engineers’ Program and thank DDC for modifying the Program’s curriculum to address the real environmental health concerns we face in the Bronx. Since 2014, the Young Engineers’ Program has provided our middle school students with an innovative and engaging approach to real-life application of STEAM sciences. This middle school enrichment program would not be possible without the partnership of DYCD and DOE. I thank these agencies for coming together with the Administration to bring this invaluable opportunity for students of the Bronx,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson.
"LEAP is proud to partner with DDC, DOE and DYCD in our aligned effort to provide exciting and engaging STEAM programming to NYC school children in underserved communities. This two-year effort has introduced our students to career options in the sciences and technology and has helped them build the skills needed to make those dreams a reality. Together we are working to break the cycle of poverty by preparing our children for the 21st Century workforce,” said Rich Souto, Executive Director, LEAP
