East Mecklenburg High Schoo freshman Kayla Burriss was among students from across the nation who participated in the White House Science Fair on Feb. 7. Burriss, who wants to be an environmental engineer so that she “can make a difference in the world," is part of her school’s new Academy of Engineering, a small school-within-a-school learning community that equips high school students with the science and math skills to study engineering in college.

During Kayla's first semester at East Mecklenburg, she enrolled in the Academy of Engineering Introduction to Engineering Design course. East Mecklenburg’s Academy of Engineering is one of nearly a dozen career academies in high schools throughout CMS.  The academies were created by the nonprofit National Academy Foundation (NAF).

Students such as Burriss exemplify the “extraordinary accomplishments made possible when students are exposed to high-quality, engaging and hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities,” said Linda Rosen, CEO of CTEq, a non-profit organization dedicated to mobilizing the business community to improve the quality of STEM learning in the United States. Seed funding for the East Mecklenburg Academy of Engineering was made possible by the AT&T Foundation, with additional support provided by other CTEq-member companies Xerox, Verizon and Motorola.

Burriss’ mother, Michelle Paige, who accompanied her daughter at the science fair said, “I have definitely seen a change in Kayla. She talks about her engineering course and has begun to change her goals and is looking toward the future. Kayla has increased confidence and excitement about what she can do, and when she completes her goals she will be the first one in her family to graduate from college.”

One of the goals for East Mecklenburg’s Academy of Engineering is to increase the number of minority and female engineers, a shared goal of the CTEq membership said Rosen. “A deliberate effort among the CTEq coalition is to bring more high-quality STEM learning opportunities to minorities and female students, both of whom are underrepresented in STEM professions.”

President Obama delivered remarks during the Science Fair to an audience of students, science educators and business leaders on the importance of STEM education to the country’s economic future.

For more information, visit whitehouse.gov/live.