KARSH STEM SCHOLARS PROGRAM:
We are pleased to announce that Brother Martin High School senior, Jason Childs ‘24, has accepted a scholarship to study Electrical Engineering through the Karsh STEM Scholars Program at Howard University.
From their website:
"The Karsh STEM Scholars Program’s mission is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities who earn a PhD or combined MD/PhD in a STEM discipline. Participants must be interested in pursuing a career in research and/or teaching, policy development, or a leadership role in government or the corporate world.
Each year, the Karsh STEM Scholars Program attracts hundreds of competitive high school students who are interested in beginning their STEM careers at Howard University and only 35-40 are selected. Scholars selected for the program are awarded a scholarship for tuition, mandatory fees, room, board, and an allowance for books associated with attending the University. In return, scholars are required to ultimately pursue, a PhD, or a combined MD-PhD, within a STEM discipline. The program aims to challenge students, through rigorous coursework and preparation, to live, prosper, and contribute to a world that is increasingly diverse and global in nature. Since 2017, the Karsh STEM Scholars Program has been home to some of the University’s most talented students, many of whom are student researchers and interns at STEM-related organizations across the world."
2023 MIT FUTUREMAKERS CREATE-A-THON:
Jason also participated in the 2023 MIT FutureMakers Create-a-Thon last summer. He shares his experiences there:
“This was a 6-week virtual program run by MIT RAISE and SureStart where I learned to program apps and advocate the use of ethical AI. Students learned about the potential and applied uses of artificial intelligence in art, education, robotics, and industry. The program culminated in the participants working in small teams to create an app that used AI to find a practical solution to a problem in the world.
My team placed 1st in our track for our app CultureConnect, which is an app we designed for early education children who have difficulties communicating and relating to their peers in the classroom due to a language barrier. CultureConnect allows students to play digital games together across two devices where each student's screen is translated into their spoken language. We have also created a ChatGPT-based AI Teacher to help with quick translations for students having minor troubles in the classroom.
The most exciting part is that, in April, my team and the other winners were flown to San Diego to present our projects at the ASU+GSV Summit AIR Show. This was an educational tech expo where multiple companies (like Turnitin.com) and startups presented their advancements for automating and easing education for both students and teachers. We presented our ideas in front of a room full of educators, investors, and other innovators.
After our presentation, I also spoke on a student panel about students' perspectives on artificial intelligence in our educational and personal experiences."
We would like to congratulate Jason on his achievements in STEM thus far in the pursuit of excellence!
