Press Releases

November 9, 2015

New York City DDC in partnership with DOE, DYCD and the LeAP Organization Present the Young Engineers Program Showcase

Program gives middle school students real-world exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture/Arts and Mathematics

Contact:
Shavone Williams
Public Information Officer
718-391-1583

NEW YORK—The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) presented the Young Engineers program showcase in collaboration with the Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and DYCD’s Learning through an Expanded Arts program (LeAp) on Thursday, November 5th at MS 22 Jordan L. Mott, in the South Bronx. Students, who participated in the Young Engineers Program, displayed their work and described their accomplishments to parents, school staff and city officials.

The Young Engineers program is a concerted effort to support Mayor de Blasio’s after school initiative for middle school students. DDC’s STEAM Initiatives implemented the Young Engineers program to expose underrepresented youth and to foster interest in fields and professions related to Science, Technology, Architecture/Art and Mathematics (STEAM). This Fall, in partnership with the DOE, DYCD and LeAp’s afterschool program operating at MS 22 Jordan Mott, students were introduced to the “Engineering is Elementary: Engineering Insulated Homes ” curriculum, written by the Museum of Science in Boston. Students participated in an environmental engineering challenge and engineering design processes to explore real-world solutions. Students learned about the amount of energy used to heat and cool homes and why insulation is important. They explored how insulation can be used to help moderate the interior temperature of model homes, and also considered the insulation used in real homes, both around the world and in their own neighborhoods.

The pilot program was launched in March of 2014 through the LeAp afterschool program at MS 22 Jordan L. Mott, a renewal school where 100% of students qualify for free lunch, 21% are special education students and 21% are English language learners. The Department for Youth and Community Development provided funding and identified schools with high needs for recruitment. DDC anticipates directly impacting 120 to 140 children through 2015.

“In support of Mayor de Blasio’s vision for a strong and just city, we are proud to collaborate with our sister agencies DOE and DYCD to provide educational opportunities to advance underrepresented youth in fields related to STEAM. The Young Engineers program is an example of our commitment to mentoring and preparing our young leaders for future career paths in math and science,” noted Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Design and Construction.

“DYCD is proud to be part of this inter-agency collaboration with DDC and our community partner LeAp in bringing the exciting world of engineering to the classrooms of New York City,” said DYCD Commissioner Bill Chong. “I congratulate the young engineers at MS 22, whose exposure to the jobs of the future builds on the growing momentum of Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture/Arts and Mathematics activities in afterschool.”

“This is a wonderful program that aligns with so many of our goals as educators: reaching children during the challenging middle-school years, exposing them to the high-demand STEAM subjects, giving them hands-on opportunities where they can find passions and hobbies, and providing enriching afterschool options. I am so proud of the work these students have done, and even more excited to see how they use what they learned in the Young Engineers program going forward,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña.

"The Young Engineers program gives young New Yorkers an opportunity to explore STEM disciplines and build a valuable background for good careers. I applaud the work of the Department of Design and Construction, the Department of Education, and The Department of Youth and Community Development in helping the next generation of New Yorkers prepare for a successful future," said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

Early exposure to STEAM careers instills a scientific curiosity in students that will serve them through the entirety of their academic career. I thank the Department of Design and Construction, the Department of Youth and Community Development, and the Department of Education for coming together to support Mayor de Blasio’s initiative for afterschool students and bringing this invaluable program to the students of the Bronx,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson (D-16th District, Bronx).

“I congratulate all the students who participated in the Young Engineers Program showcase. The Young Engineers Program is helping our children from middle schools attain a greater level of understanding in the areas of science, technology, architecture and mathematics by exposing them to the processes of problem solving at a very early age. Considering the impact that science and technology has on our daily lives, it is very important that we nurture the talents of Bronx students who excel in these areas of education, helping develop their expertise that will greatly improve all of our lives down the road. I commend the DOE, DYCD, DDC and the Mayor for providing such a program that helps with a very critical professional developmental component that can only help nurture these vital skills for these highly intelligent students,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

"By providing our middle school students with real-life exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture/Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) careers, we equip them with the skills they will need for the workforce--and therefore financial security," said NYC Council Education Committee Chairperson Daniel Dromm. "The Young Engineers Program will open doors to underprivileged and other youth, granting them access to career opportunities they otherwise might not have had. I thank Mayor Bill de Blasio and the DDC, DOE and DYCD leadership for this valuable program that helps break the cycle of poverty, and will continue to work with them to improve the lives of all our public school students," said Council Member Dromm.

“LeAp Afterschool is thrilled to once again partner with DDC’s STEAM TEAM to bring higher-level learning opportunities to severely underrepresented youth in the fields of STEAM careers. DDC STEAM instructors deliver a highly engaging STEAM curriculum. Their unique hands-on experiential model has our youth participants on the edge of their seats in every class. Our students have started to internalize the engineering design process and are thinking like engineers. We are working hard to attract funding to support DDC STEAM’s ongoing work at MS22,” said Monique Jarvis, LEAP Afterschool Program Director.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor de Blasio’s lenses of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings, and new or upgraded roadways, sewers, water mains and plazas in all five boroughs. To manage this $10 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative, and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.