The National Society of Black Engineers is a national society that focuses on advancing STEM, specifically engineering, and offers learning programs for children and young adults of minority groups. This group is represented in numerous schools and institutions nationwide through “chapters,” and Warren Central is one of the newest additions, thanks to the help of senior Isaiah Gilbert, the club's president.
While the club is new to Warren, Gilbert’s story with NSBE began last year.
“I first joined an NSBE chapter last year at a different school, and after considering the large population of minority students at Warren and how much I enjoyed the other school's chapter, I decided to bring one to our school myself,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert has been wanting to bring the club to Warren for over a year now and has worked hard to bring it to life. Finally achieving his goal has made him very happy and excited for what’s to come this school year.
“I am excited that the club has gotten on its feet,” Gilbert said. “This has been a year-long project for me, going through Warren's administrative systems, and to see all my hard work come to fruition makes me happy.”
Despite the club only starting a few weeks ago with its first meeting on Nov. 10, the club already has quite a few members and an established student board.
“As of right now, we have 17 members in the club,” Gilbert said. “Our board includes me as the president, Myla Butler as our vice president, Kamryn Moorman as our treasurer and Rayven Benn as our secretary.”
Dr. Katie Lawrence, a chemistry teacher in the science department, also helped bring this club to fruition as its teacher sponsor. Being asked to be the teacher sponsor for this club means so much to her.
“When Isaiah approached me about needing a sponsor for a new club he hoped to start at Warren, I immediately knew I wanted to help,” Lawrence said. “Supporting students as they pursue STEM opportunities is something I am deeply passionate about. Any time I can help cultivate the next generation of scientists and engineers, I’m all in.”
Club members take part in a variety of engineering-based activities and hear from professionals in the field, all to learn more about what the many fields of engineering have to offer.
“NSBE cultivates the interests and hones the skills of students,” Gilbert said. “Some of the activities we do include building models of furniture and listening to presentations about the different fields that are engineering.”
With what looks to be an eventful first year, this new club will continue to give students the opportunity to learn more about engineering. And even though the board members, including Gilbert, are graduating at the end of this year, they hope for a bright future for the National Society of Black Engineers at Warren.