News Release
Nov. 18, 2004
NSBE-AE Denver's Rocket Club To Hold 12th Annual Fall Launch Friday, Nov. 19
On Friday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. the beginners class of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) will hold its 12th Annual Fall Launch on the Columbine Elementary School playground, 2540 E. 29th Ave.
The program is designed for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students and provides a supplement to their school curriculum. In the beginner's class, students are introduced to the basic concepts of model rocketry and are taught to build their own rockets. In addition, the students learn how science, space, engineering and math are all interrelated. The intermediate, advanced and super-advanced students build upon that basic knowledge by studying the "why" and "how" behind the concepts taught.
The participants must complete rocket club homework assignments in addition to their regular school assignments and are required to take a comprehensive final exam. The goal of this program is to provide a viable alternative to the obstacles, such as drugs and gangs, that inner city children face everyday. To date, there have been over 150 participants.
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), which was founded at Purdue University in April 1975, is the largest student-run organization in the United States. The organization promotes the achievement of African-Americans in engineering and the sciences. There are six NSBE chapters in the state of Colorado - the Denver "Mile-Hi" Alumni Chapter and student chapters on the campuses of the University of Colorado - Boulder, the University of Colorado - Denver, Colorado State University, the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Denver. NSBE is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
NSBE is dedicated to increasing the number of Black engineers who succeed professionally and positively impact the community. NSBE sets the standard of excellence in providing services to science and engineering students. The organization provides tutors, mentors and role models for African-American students. Over 10,000 members nationally and over 100 members in Colorado give back to the communities that made sacrifices, which helped them succeed.
The NSBE-AE Denver Rocket Club was founded in February of 1993 by Anthony and Valorie Jordan of Colorado Springs, Colo. and co-sponsored by the NSBE Denver Alumni Chapter. The purpose of the program is to give back to the local African-American community by providing positive black role models for young African-American students who are faced with social and economic obstacles.
For more information, please contact. K.C. Matthews with the Rocket Club Committee, 303-909-1779.