In Dallas this past June, everyone knew when the Mavericks won the NBA Championship. Children sported jerseys of their favorite Mavericks players, visitors to Dallas from all over the globe mentioned the Mavericks in their small talk, and teens congratulated the Mavs in their facebook statuses.
This past October, Dr. Bruce A. Beutler, director of the Center for the Genetics of Host Defense at UT Southwestern, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (he actually shared it with two other guys). A Nobel Laureate so close to home, yet who wore a buttoned-up shirt or tie with "Beutler" printed on it? Who mentioned his achievements in understanding the immune system in their small talk? Who posted facebook statuses about him?
The sad reality is, people are increasingly lacking enthusiasm for accomplishments in science, technology (with the exception of anything related to the latest Apple product), engineering, and mathematics--also known collectively as STEM subjects. In academia itself, really.
Sixteen-year old Stephanie realized a need for national increased student and volunteer spirit. Perhaps she'll recount the story (again) someday. It's really much better coming from her.
When Stephanie entered the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in 2010, she and her peers recognized the many opportunities newly available to them. While many of her classmates headed for professors' labs to try their hands at research, Steph realized she could take her idea to the University of North Texas's College of Business and consult an experienced opinion.
Although hesitant at first, Steph realized the potential behind her rough proposal after a few conversations with Dr. Tony Mendes. He encouraged her to further develop the idea and then enter it into the 2011 New Venture Creation Contest.
Steph brought this idea to six of her peers, who also showed passion for the project and useful strengths to help grow it. They planned the details of the nonprofit organization they named Forward Tutoring. The basis would be a symbiotic, mutualistic relationship among students, tutors, and nonprofit organizations. Students would volunteer to help nonprofit organizations for hours, which they could then use to pay for tutoring services. The nonprofit organizations would then provide tutors with scholarships and other honors.
This past October, Dr. Bruce A. Beutler, director of the Center for the Genetics of Host Defense at UT Southwestern, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (he actually shared it with two other guys). A Nobel Laureate so close to home, yet who wore a buttoned-up shirt or tie with "Beutler" printed on it? Who mentioned his achievements in understanding the immune system in their small talk? Who posted facebook statuses about him?
The sad reality is, people are increasingly lacking enthusiasm for accomplishments in science, technology (with the exception of anything related to the latest Apple product), engineering, and mathematics--also known collectively as STEM subjects. In academia itself, really.
Sixteen-year old Stephanie realized a need for national increased student and volunteer spirit. Perhaps she'll recount the story (again) someday. It's really much better coming from her.
When Stephanie entered the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in 2010, she and her peers recognized the many opportunities newly available to them. While many of her classmates headed for professors' labs to try their hands at research, Steph realized she could take her idea to the University of North Texas's College of Business and consult an experienced opinion.
Although hesitant at first, Steph realized the potential behind her rough proposal after a few conversations with Dr. Tony Mendes. He encouraged her to further develop the idea and then enter it into the 2011 New Venture Creation Contest.
Steph brought this idea to six of her peers, who also showed passion for the project and useful strengths to help grow it. They planned the details of the nonprofit organization they named Forward Tutoring. The basis would be a symbiotic, mutualistic relationship among students, tutors, and nonprofit organizations. Students would volunteer to help nonprofit organizations for hours, which they could then use to pay for tutoring services. The nonprofit organizations would then provide tutors with scholarships and other honors.
Long story short, everyone else really liked her idea, too. Enough to award the team two impressively large checks with two equally impressive large numbers.
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