Donna Augustine, Director of MCC’s Science & Technology Entry Program (STEP), was recognized for her efforts in founding the STEP Regional Science Bowl. On February 6th, Donna was awarded a plaque at the 4th annual event which took place at Union College in Schenectady, NY.
The STEP Regional Science Bowl was designed to promote the participation and interest of youth from historically under-represented groups in science, technology, engineering, math, and medical fields. Since its inception at MCC, more than 1000 youth and community members have participated in the event. Most notably, the winning team from the 2007 STEP Regional Science Bowl was the first ever all-female team to proceed to the National Science Bowl finals. All of the members of this team, from Buffalo Biomedical STEP/Buffalo Prep, were also African American. The young women were featured on many news outlets, including the Today Show. The winning team from the 2009 STEP Regional Science Bowl, from Syracuse University STEP, received the “Civility Award” at the National Science Bowl Finals. This award came with a week-long expenses-paid trip to participate in an archeological dig in Colorado.
Donna will tell you that her work with the STEP Science Bowl has been the most meaningful of her career.
Donna’s plaque reads:
“Thank you for your leadership in bringing the Regional Science Bowl (U.S. Department of Energy) to the Science & Technology Entry Program and serving as the STEP Regional Science Bowl coordinator from 2007-2009.
Your efforts have provided hundreds of STEP students across New York state an opportunity that has opened many new doors in the STEP arena. As a result, the STEP Program will always have a presence at the National Science Bowl.”
Rick Costanza
Department of Education
03/29/2010 |