“You belong here.”
That was Dale Allsopp’s opening message to the 75 Prep for Prep students gathered at Google’s Chelsea offices for a robotics workshop in New York City this past October. Also based in NYC, Prep for Prep serves as a conduit for exceptional students of color from underserved backgrounds to find success in independent schools throughout the Northeast U.S.
During the day-long workshop, hosted by Google and the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF), the students competed in mock robotics tournaments, using robots they built themselves, in an exploration of the fun and community that STEM education can provide. As a Google employee and Prep for Prep alumni, Dale has witnessed the transformational power of STEM for students who would not normally have access to programs like these.
“I want them to know that anything is possible,” Dale said. “At an early age, you have to understand that the chips are not stacked evenly, but that does not mean your reality is not going to be successful.”
According to Dale, getting students started on a STEM pathway early in life is crucial to bridging the wealth gap for these young learners. Still, affirmation and encouragement are just as important.
“These kids represent these communities, and should know that there’s value in their opinion and lived experience. And when you merge that with some tech, you can create magic.”
To learn more about RECF and to get involved, visit recf.org.
