The Lemelson-MIT JV InvenTeams initiative offers an unparalleled opportunity for high school students to cultivate their creativity and experience invention outside of a traditional classroom setting. This national initiative is in its second year, the Xi Chapter is thrilled to launch the program for the first time in Waller County.
Xi Chapter’s service initiative focuses on education, and the active body decided that serving as an educator for this program was an integral way to make a difference within the community. Waller High School has a lack of students who pursue STEM fields after graduation. The After School Centers on Education ™ (ACE) Site Coordinator informed the Service Officer and President that the high school students do not have the resources nor enough mentors to encourage them to pursue this avenue.
JV InvenTeams students use hands-on problem solving skills to apply lessons from science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields as they invent their own prototypes for a variety of different assignments. JV InvenTeams currently has 10 programs operating in the state of Texas, with Waller High School being one of the newest schools to offer the program. The students at Waller High School are glad that KDChi and Iota Phi Theta joined forces to make this dream a reality.
Co-educators Suzanne and DeMarr are the only college students who serve as educators out of the ten programs operating in the state of Texas. Suzanne represented KD Chi at the JV InvenTeams Professional Development Seminar hosted by Invention Education Associate, Liza Goldstein, in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At this conference, the KDChi representative learned techniques and shared experiences with educators from around the state.
Suzanne alongside her co-educator explained the importance of educational support and motivation within the STEM fields, especially for female students. As an advocate for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) as well as the President of the Xi Chapter, Suzanne invited high school girls to attend the Society of Women Engineers Banquet at Prairie View A&M University.
The girls were invited to attend the banquet to network with professional women in STEM fields, to speak to female college students about pursuing higher education and to learn about professional development.
Xi Chapter, Prairie View A&M University
has partnered with the Lambda Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. to implement the Lemelson-MIT JV InvenTeams program at Waller High School. This afterschool program is intended to inspire a new generation of inventors by providing students with the resources to further their education through innovative profects.
Submission by Kappa Delta Chi, Xi Chapter
Meet your NAC/NC
NEW PROGRAM
Name: Melanie Rodriguez
Position: President, [email protected]
Chapter, School: Theta, University of Houston (GO COOGS!)
What advice would you give to a new member: Work hard, have fun, make memories, and always stay true to who you are.
Being in Kappa Delta Chi taught me: Balance, the importance of supporting others and asking for help when I need it. As an undergrad, as a grad student, and now as a PhD student who works full time, has a family, and works with the national board takes a lot and most people think I'm crazy.....but I know how much I can handle. I focus on things that are important to me and I work really really hard. At the same time, I know when I need help and I'm not afraid to ask for it.
Name: Tiffany Hopwood
Position: VP Fiscal Affairs, [email protected]
Chapter, School: Epsilon, UT Arlington
What advice would you give to a new member: You are about to enter the world of KDChi and you can't even imagine the impact it will have on your life. Get ready to be transformed!
Being in Kappa Delta Chi taught me: Small groups of dedicated women can make big changes in their world around them. Networking is everything. that are important to me and I work really really hard. At the same time, I know when I need help and I'm not afraid to ask for it.
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National Administrative Council & National Officers
Name: Yvonne Rodriguez
Position: VP of Standards, [email protected]
Chapter, School: Rho, Washington State University
What advice would you give to a new member: It takes a unique individual to be a KDChi. It is a special honor to serve your community and work along side such a high caliber of women, whom you get to call sisters. Sometimes it will be really hard, sometimes it will be really fun, sometimes is will be really rewarding, but no matter what time it is, being a KDChi is always worth it.
Being in Kappa Delta Chi taught me: To look at the bigger picture. When it comes to the impact that you have in the world it goes beyond what you can see around you. You can create a ripple that can affect so many others for years and years to come. Positive contributions to society, no matter how small, make a world of difference.
Name: Angelic Garay
Position: VP of Alumnae Affairs, alumnaeaffairs@kappadeltachi.org
Chapter, School: Alpha Zeta Chapter, University of Nevada - Las Vegas; Currently Southern Nevada Alumnae Chapter
What advice would you give to a new member: Go to service with the active body! Not only is it a great way to get your hours done, but you'll get the added benefit of bonding time. We are a service based organization, so it is not strange at all that you would go, and one of the benefits of joining our sorority is that you do not do service alone!
Being in Kappa Delta Chi taught me: Communication. It something I am constantly working on, thanks to KDChi. I'm a great mediator who handles conflict resolution well, and strive to explain a topic thoroughly (even if it means a really long, detailed email). I may not be the best at keeping up with social media but I actively try to be on it; because I know the importance of not only being there for others, but others wanting to be there for me. My sisters really keep me ground this way, and learning to communicate either personally or for business on a local or national level just isn't taught in a classroom!
Name: Veronica Lucena
Position: VP of Expansion, [email protected]
Chapter, School: Tau, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
What advice would you give to a new member: Remember that you are entering a National Sisterhood. As you go through your process and become a sister, know that it does not end there. Going to conference was the best way that this was shown to me. I was able to be close with my chapter sisters and sisters across the country. It is a beautiful network.
Being in Kappa Delta Chi taught me: KDChi taught me what it means to be a part of something that is bigger than me. It taught me humility in working with and listening to others and compromising in order to create the unity needed to run a chapter and the organization. It taught me about the responsibility it takes to be a woman of integrity, that I, through my actions, represent not only myself, but also KDChi and my community. I have taken these lessons with me throughout my life and continue to learn and grow more with KDChi.
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