Dr. Calvin Mackie, award-winning engineer, internationally-renowned motivational STEM speaker, successful entrepreneur, and bestselling author was honored with the College Board’s 2015 Dr. Asa G. Hilliard Model of Excellence Award to recognize Mackie for his efforts in encouraging African American students to strive for academic success. The award was presented in a ceremony during the 2015 A Dream Deferred™ conference, on March 11, which brought together educational leaders from around the country focused on increasing academic opportunity for African American students.
Mackie was the recipient of the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, which he received in a White House ceremony. Sharing his journey from academic struggle to success with students, educators, and business and political leaders across the country, he has become an inspirational figure in education for African Americans and a powerful force for STEM.
Beyond his speaking background, Mackie has also further influenced academic success with STEM NOLA (www.STEMNOLA.com), an organization he founded to engage, inspire, and expose the local community to STEM by designing and delivering programs and activities within the community. His widely popular and growing programs, such as “STEM Saturday with Dr. Mackie,” are for students in grades K-12 and are specifically targeted to underserved communities across the city.
They are unique in that they focus on using project-based activities and hands-on learning. His programs are inclusive to everyone, yet focused on reaching students who have limited access to STEM. In over one year, STEM NOLA has engaged over 2400 K-12 students from over 200 schools in the greater New Orleans area.
For more information, please visit www.STEMNola.com or www.CalvinMackie.com.
