Stepping Up

S.T.E.P. is in full-swing with spring events and ramping up for a full fall schedule with the purpose of career awareness and building a strong local talent pipeline. STEM competitions were a huge success and we thank our sponsors for their continued support. Many of our guests were not only impressed with the skill level of the students but left with an overwhelming feeling of hope for the future.

Our Local Educational Attainment Collobarative (LEAC) teams are well underway strategizing in the areas of FAFSA completion, CTE alignment and increasing literacy rates. Brandy Murray is leading the "Lean into Literacy" project using holistic approach to increasing literacy proficiency in the Twin-Counties using dominant community interests. Reach out to Brandy if your belong to a church, community organization or group that would like to part of the literacy solution.

Finally, help us welcome Latrice Perry as our Work-Based Learning Liaison. Latrice will serve as a third-party intermediary for our local companies connecting interns, pre-apprentices and aprrentices from our area educational partners to train and prepare for future careers.

Today's Students are Tomorrow's Employees

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Hundreds of students from 31 elementary schools poured into the Brown Auditorium at Nash Community College for a day of LEGO, coding and literacy challenges. In the end, Rock Ridge Elem. took home 1st place, Fredrick Douglas Elem. came in 2nd place and Benvenue Elem. placed in 3rd. Special thanks to our sponsor, Pfizer. For the second year they provided funding and volunteers to make Brick City a buge success.

Students in grades 6-8 were challenged to design an original product that would have a positive impact on their community. Students conducted research needed to bring their product to market and entice investors to invest in production. Teams of six students were expected to conduct a marketing analysis for the product, blueprints, a prototype, and cost analysis for production. The prototype of their product was 3D printed or had 3D printed parts incorporated into it.

Teams were assigned a business/engineer mentor that met with them periodically to give suggestions, advice, and ideas to consider while developing their product. At the competition, teams from each middle school were interviewed by Judges/Investors, showcasing the work that went into developing their product.

Amazing products were produced and the passion showed through in each presentation. The top three tops were: Southern Nash Middle, 1st place; South Edgecombe Middle, 2nd place; and West Edgecombe Middle, 3rd place.

All middle schools from Edgecombe, Nash and Wilson counties took over the Rocky Mount Event Center on April 6th ready to show their design, coding and problem solving skills and they did not disappoint!! Forest Hills Middle School (WCPS) took home 1st place, followed by Southern Nash Middle in 2nd place and GR Edwards Middle rounding up 3rd place. Congratulations to all of the teams, coaches and sponsors!!!

STEP is thrilled to welcome Latrice Perry to the team as the new Work-Based Learning Liaison. Latrice will serve as a connector for our employers and education partners for the purpose of expanding internships, pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships in the Twin-Counties. Reach out to her today for more information. lperry@step-partnership.org

Graduating seniors ready for the workforce will have the opportunity to meet and discuss career options with local employers.