Promise Fund

Since 1988, Polytechnic's Promise Fund has helped disadvantaged students fulfill their dreams of earning a college degree. As one of the University's largest scholarship programs, the fund has raised over $15 million in scholarships and supported over 2,000 students. Most recipients are from minority groups, come from immigrant families or are the first in their families to attend college. Many are women, a traditionally underrepresented group in science and engineering.

The Promise Fund also underwrites the University's primary pre-college outreach programs for inner city youth. These programs encourage talented students in elementary, junior high and high school to pursue careers in science and engineering. Students research projects have been submitted to national and international competitions, including Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition, the Intel Science Talent Search, the International Science and Engineering Fair and the International Taiwanese Science and Technology Competition. Click here for more information.

NACME (National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering)

The NACME is a non-profit organization that, for 20 years has led the national effort to increase access to careers in engineering and other science-based disciplines. Supported by America's leading technology-intensive companies, NACME conducts research and public policy analysis in education, develops and operates national demonstrations programs at pre-college and university levels, and provides broad dissemination of information through publication, conferences, and broadcasts. NACME is also the nation's largest privately funded source of scholarship for engineering students from the African American, Latin, and American Indian communities

Vanguard- The Engineering Vanguard Program is groundbreaking high school-to-university initiative that targets and recruits students from underserved communities, and provides intense academic preparation and full tuition and housing scholarships at selected universities. Vanguard is a strategic partnership between NACME and universities and high schools in targeted communities. The program not only provides access to engineering for students, but also innovative teaching and assessment method for faculty. Click here for more information.

TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) JETS

JETS sponsors the TEAM (Tests for Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) competition which challenges high school students to prepare for tomorrow's world. The competition is a one-day, two-part exam that encourages higher-order thinking, application of knowledge, team cooperation and management skills. Each student is a significant player on his school's team and strategy is a key element in team selection. All teams participate in both Part 1 and Part 2 of the exam and the results determine local, state and national rankings. Click here for more information.

FIRST Lego League Tournament

The FIRST Foundation (For Inspiration and Education for Science and Technology) conducts regional and national competitions to demonstrate that engineering and science can be as interesting and enjoyable as any sports and entertainment event. A team, consisting of up to ten middle school students, applies their innovative skills to meet a challenge by building a miniature robot. Student teams collaborate for six weeks to work closely with engineers to design, construct, and control a remotely-operated vehicle.

This hands-on project helps students learn what they can create and achieve through cooperative learning. Currently, over 20,000 children from middle schools across the country and other countries participate in this competition. FIRST also sponsors a similar competition, the FIRST Robotics Competition, for high school students. Click here for further information.

Future Cities Competition

The Future City Competition is a program for seventh and eighth-grade students to foster interest in math, science and engineering by encouraging them to develop computer-based models of an idealized city of the future. Students work in teams to understand the practical applications of mathematics and scientific principles. Winners at the regional competition compete in the national finals for awards and scholarships sponsored by engineering societies and corporations. The competition is open to all public, private, and parochial schools. Click here for more information

ACE (Opportunities of Career Direction in Architecture, Construction & Engineering)

The ACE Mentor program specifically seeks to motivate New York City high school students interested in a career in architecture, construction, engineering and related fields. The program is a unique partnership among New York City's leading schools and universities, architects, interior designers, engineers, construction management companies, professional organizations and related corporations. Participating ACE companies serve as advisors and mentors donating their time and resources to the program.

Organized into teams representing complementary disciplines, these advisors "adopt" a group of high school students for an entire year, developing programs that inform, challenge and actively engage student in the learning experience. Mentoring and scholarships opportunities are provided. Ultimately, the program makes a special attempt to reach students that otherwise may bot be aware of the challenges and rewards of a career in the design and construction industry. Click here for more information.

The David Packard Center for Technology and Educational Alliances

The YES Center works closely with the David Packard Center to provide instructional programs for high school students and professional development programs in science, math, and computer science for high school teachers. The Packard Center serves as a resource to promote the effective use of advanced technology into their curricula, improve students' knowledge of science and math and develop educational alliances with community institutions. Click here for more information.

Sci Tech Youth Foundation

Inner Force