TSEP Overnight Camping Conference 2019

Fundraising campaign by Kevin Nichols
  • US$1,795.00
    raised of $10,000.00 goal goal
17% Funded
13 Donors

No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities

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TSEP Overnight Camping Conference 2019

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Mission:

The Social Engineering Project, Inc. ("TSEP") is an Oakland based, social impact venture with Stanford University designed to address the lack of diversity in the tech industry through STEM pipeline programs that lead to technical career pathways for underrepresented students of color.

The name comes from a quote by the legendary attorney, Charles Hamilton Houston, who laid down the framework for the landmark Brown vs. The Board of Education of Topeka. He said, "A lawyer is either a social engineer or a parasite on society." Although we do not have to be lawyers for the quote to remain true, our view is that we either are a part of the problem or a part of the solution.

Objective:

To motivate and inspire underrepresented high school students of color to go to college, major in STEM related disciplines, and expose them to various career pathways in the technology industry. Moreover, by being in the wilderness and away from technological distractions, the students will also learn about mindfulness, yoga, the environment and work/life balance. Lastly, the students will learn about entrepreneurship, personal branding, and networking.

Key Outcomes:

  • Desire to go to college
  • Pursue STEM related careers
  • Develop a deeper respect for the environment and work/life balance
  • Learn how to apply to college, excel on exams, financial aid, college life
  • Learn about their personal brand, how to work in teams, entrepreneurship, and network for future collaboration

Project Outline:

TSEP Overnight Camping Conference is a weekend long conference for underrepresented high school
students of color throughout the Bay Area designed to motivate and inspire them to go to college, pursue
a STEM related career, learn about entrepreneurship, and network effectively. TSEP will take approximately
120 underrepresented 9th-12th high school students camping on buses from Sacramento, Alameda,
Contra Costa, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties to the Santa Cruz Mountains on October
4-6, 2019. The students are free of the typical technological distractions (there is no signal, noInternet connectivity, no texting or Wi-Fi) and become one with nature.

Day 1:

On the first day, the students begin the weekend by being segregated by gender and geographic regions in cabins. Then they will participate in ice breakers and team building exercises. Moreover, they will be exposed to mindfulness, yoga, hiking, and work/life balance on this day. They will also learn about the importance of networking and staying connected with their camp-mates. Lastly, they will experience their first camp fire and partake in s'mores.

Day 2:

During the second day, the students will participate in workshops organized by various companies such as Microsoft, Northrop Grumman, PG&E, Walmart Labs, GoPro, Zynga, Cisco/Meraki, etc. about the types of technology these companies produce and what it is like working there, in order to motivate and inspire the students to pursue careers in technological fields. Two years ago, there were 3 sets of 7 workshops for about 15-20 students each, which included: Microsoft’s Azure Group focused on developing project management skills by using a real-life bug problem and how to prioritize/allocate resources (hours) to fix it. In response to what was her favorite workshop and why, Brinda A. said, “My favorite workshop was the Microsoft workshop because it allowed me to act as a developer and learn about work as a developer.”

Northrop Grumman showed the students various submarines that they build, how important gears are in their line of work, and how integral every member of their team is (from procurement to the head engineer). Many of the students enjoyed their hands-on activities.

GoPro’s workshop demonstrated how they stabilize their drones in order to take steady video and how they test their products for things such as water resistance.

Regarding Cisco-Meraki’s workshop, James M. said, “My favorite workshop was the Meraki automation class because I didn't know how wireless things really program.”

PG&E did a workshop on its remediation project and it was so impactful, that Jada N. had this to say, “I went in to the trip slightly apprehensive because I had never thought about a career in engineering before, but after the trip, I have a new found interest and appreciation for the field. My cabin and I went to the PG&E workshop and because of what I learned there, I have a new interest in the cleanup they do regarding old oil and gas manufacturing sites.

Please check out Zynga's Gaming Workshop below:

Finally, the Artisan Hub taught our students the concepts behind 3D printing using construction paper and wrapping large books. Jossalin D. said, “I really liked the 3D printing because they kept me embattled the whole time.”

This year, we will have workshops from GoPro, Walmart Labs, and will be accepting applications for additional workshops from other companies. If your company is interested in organizing a hands- on workshop, please contact Kevin L. Nichols at [email protected].

Day 3:

On the last day, representatives from U.C. Berkeley and U.C. Davis will go over the application/ admissions process for college, including succeeding with standardized testing, financial aid, and personal statements. Furthermore, the students will learn about the importance of networking by connecting with their cabin-mates and other members of the camp via LinkedIn, personal branding, and entrepreneurship.

We are currently raising funds for our transportation costs and to sponsor campers who are applying for hardship scholarships.

Presently we have 3 chartered buses totally $10,000

Tuition for Student is $175 per student, however, this does not cover the cost of each student.

MINIMUM FUNDS NEEDED = $15,000

We would appreciate donations of any dollar amount and we thank you, in advance for your support of our organization.

For more information about this year's camp, to register a camper, and or apply to be a counselor, please visit http://bit.ly/TSEPcc19.

Organizer

  • Kevin Nichols
  •  
  • Campaign Owner

Donors

  • Chante Butler
  • Donated on Oct 03, 2019
  • Nature+D&I+STEM = Magic. Happy to support this program!

$350.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 25, 2019
  • Keep up the impressive work that you do!

Amount Hidden
  • Theresa Wilkerson
  • Donated on Sep 25, 2019
  • Kevin, you do GREAT work! I know you are very conscious about how you spend money and putting it to good use. I am honored to be a part of something that I know will have life long impact into these teens lives. Being a mother of a teen myself, I know the importance of having a "safe" place for teens to share, be transparent and be a part of a community, especially when that community looks like them and has similar experiences.

$175.00

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Donors & Comments

13 donors
  • Chante Butler
  • Donated on Oct 03, 2019
  • Nature+D&I+STEM = Magic. Happy to support this program!

$350.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 25, 2019
  • Keep up the impressive work that you do!

Amount Hidden
  • Theresa Wilkerson
  • Donated on Sep 25, 2019
  • Kevin, you do GREAT work! I know you are very conscious about how you spend money and putting it to good use. I am honored to be a part of something that I know will have life long impact into these teens lives. Being a mother of a teen myself, I know the importance of having a "safe" place for teens to share, be transparent and be a part of a community, especially when that community looks like them and has similar experiences.

$175.00
  • Vandana Deep
  • Donated on Sep 23, 2019
  • Wishing TSEP all the best in making this happen

$200.00
  • Terry Perry
  • Donated on Sep 19, 2019
  • I beseech you to match or beat my donation.

$135.00
  • Shaleshni Karan
  • Donated on Sep 19, 2019
$100.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 19, 2019
Amount Hidden
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Sep 02, 2019
$200.00
  • Natisa Dill
  • Donated on Aug 30, 2019
Amount Hidden
  • Pri Alfaro
  • Donated on Aug 30, 2019
Amount Hidden
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Followers

1 followers
Theresa Wilkerson
US$1,795.00
raised of $10,000.00 goal
17% Funded
13 Donors

No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities