Our Success Stories Fuel Our Mission, Vision and Aspirations
We've Come a Long Way and We're Just Getting Started.
Our Free, Barrier-Breaking STEM Programs Are Made Possible with the Generous Support of Our Partners and Sponsors.
Impact
Transforming Lives: Success Stories of Impact from our STEM Education Initiatives
Do you see our future doctors, scientists, technologists and engineers? We do!
We’re so proud of our more than 3,500 participating students over these past ten years who live in Mt. Vernon; the NSSA intends to help them beat the odds that right now, in Mt. Vernon, are against them.
With the kind backing of our friends and supporters, we are providing our children with access and exposure to enhanced, challenging STEM learning that, when coupled with hard work and persistence, will allow them to break through existing barriers and achieve lifelong success.
As proud as we are of our more than eighty prior programs and the many accomplishments, the future of our children and our community demands that we do more.
Discover the impact that the NSSA has had on the lives of underprivileged and at-risk students. Through our STEM educational programs, we have empowered these students to unlock their potential and pursue their dreams. Read their stories and be inspired by their accomplishments.
Accomplishments to Date
We are very proud that NSSA has consistently received solicited and unsolicited grants and other funding, resulting in:
- More than 80 after-school, weekend, and summer programs
- 3,500 of 6,500,000 students — 3rd through 12th grade — have been engaged
- 82% Student Return Rate to NSSA programs
Summer 2014:
NSSA’s first two-week summer program, delivered to 27 seventh graders, included robotics, physics, genomics, forensics, experimental science and math classes
2017:
$10K Science of Success Sponsorships awarded to two high-performing students to secure their Pilot’s License. Fall 2018 included the delivery of the 4th year of our “Science of Success” program for high-school students and two additional students with the financial resources to secure their pilot license
Summer 2018:
5th year of our Summer STEM Camp Program, delivered to 130 students.
A dozen high-school seniors, all participants in prior NSSA programs, served as paid interns/Teacher Assistants for our Summer STEM Camp Program
2019:
6th year of our Summer STEM Camp Program, delivered to 165 students
2019/2020:
4th year of Continuing STEM Engagement Program—the same 25 students
Summer 2020:
Aligned with the ongoing issues associated with COVID-19, the NSSA delivered our first virtual camp. Two one-week programs to two groups of forty students-4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th
2024:
10th year of our Summer STEM Camp Program.
NSSA Expanding to serve more students in the community
“The NSSA has been an incredible resource for our students. The hands-on science activities have sparked their curiosity and helped them develop a love for STEM. After ten years, a long list of students have consistently credited their learning experiences associated with the NSSA with strongly influencing and encouraging their seeking and securing STEM-based careers.”
-Gerald D. Dennis, Founder and Executive Director”
Looking Forward
The Center: Together We Can Change the Trajectory for an Entire Community.
We Have the Vision.
Help Us Make It a Reality.
Research indicates that technology and science centers have a positive educational impact on the children of the community and the community in general. Additionally, they can improve the economics and culture of the community and the surrounding communities. The NSSA at Mt. Vernon will offer a host of interactive exhibits, a planetarium, various laboratories, and a broad range of student-based programs directly aligned with the Board of Education curriculum, internships, and other opportunities to prepare youth for four-year colleges and meaningful careers.
This hands-on educational resource will reflect the NSSA’s commitment to and support of the community. The center will feature a broad collection of interactive technology and science exhibits, many of which are aligned with and made possible through the support and guidance of local and national corporate partnerships.
The center will partner with public school leadership to ensure that at-risk students have access to state-of-the-art science and technology resources that prepare them for careers as teachers, scientists, computer technologists, doctors, and engineers.
Funding: All capital to fund the construction is audited by an independent major accounting firm, and audits are made publicly available. The initial fundraising goal is $5 million.
Executive Summary
For many reasons, public school children of Mount Vernon are falling behind at an alarming rate. Evidence suggests they are not prepared for participation in our global economy, especially regarding STEM-based subject matter.
The Northeast STEM Starter Academy at Mt Vernon will ensure Mount Vernon public school students have access to state-of-the art science and technology resources that prepare them for careers as teachers, scientists, computer technologists, doctors and engineers. It will produce transformative change for Mount Vernon children as well as cultural and economic change for the city and region.
Read our Executive Summary to learn more about:
- the critical situation in Mount Vernon
- how a technology and science center can be a solution
- how you can help, including naming opportunities for donors
