Native American Heritage Month
Posted on November 1st, 2012 by Jaimie Schock
Native American engineers and scientists have made notable contributions to education, exploration, and research. In recognition of American Indian Heritage Month, ASEE honors these home-grown high achievers.
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Tags: Famous engineers and scientists, famous Native Americans, Minority Group Engineers, Native American engineers, Native American Heritage Month, Native American Students
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans have made notable contributions to engineering, science, education, and innovation. In honor of National LGBT History Month, the American Society for Engineering Education presents a diverse group of outstanding achievers.
Software engineer Sarah Blow enlists other female techies in events to promote engineering girl power. Thus was born Girl Geek Dinners, a networking organization for women in technology that’s since gone global.
Ever wonder what driving would be like without traffic signals? Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr., did. Driving through Cleveland, Ohio, where he owned a prosperous sewing machine repair and tailoring business, the Kentucky-born son of slaves was keenly aware of the danger of collisions…
Contributors to American technological prowess include 1968 Nobel laureate Luis Walter Alvarez, Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman astronaut, who is now deputy director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and Dan Arvizu, who heads the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. 
Propel McKeesport is a charter elementary school in suburban Pittsburgh with a rather impressive record. Last year, 100 percent of its 5th and 6th graders scored proficient or advanced in math on state assessment tests. That would be a great result in just about any school. But, 85 percent of Propel’s 385 students are from low-income families, 73 percent are minorities, and 13 percent have special needs.
A recent survey of women and underrepresented minorities who hold STEM degrees found that many of them were discouraged from seeking their careers. But, what was, perhaps, eyebrow-raising was that most of those affected said the discouragement came from college professors. 
An LA Times study of test results of 152 charter schools, 161 magnets and all nearby traditional schools found that magnets were the clear leaders. Charters also outperformed traditional schools. African American students were especially benefited by magnets and charters, with 76 percent proficient or better in math at magnets and 57 percent at charters, as opposed to only 40 percent at traditional schools.
