It's hard enough to get kids interested in math and engineering, but one national organization wants to encourage kids to pursue careers in the sciences.
About 150 young black students learned about opportunities at Fresh Start, a day of fun and learning hosted by the Austin Alumni Chapter for the National Society of Black Engineers.
The program is for pre-college students in grades 6-12 to encourage them to embrace technology and pursue careers in engineering and science. According to the National Society of Black Engineers, fewer than three percent of the nation’s engineers are black.
Fresh Start participants also get to network and learn from AA-NSBE members from the local high-tech industry.
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Fresh Start
About 150 local students participated in hands-on activities to introduce them to a career in engineering.
 
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"That's important because a lot of black youth, I don't think they have a lot of role models, people for them to look at and say 'wow, he's just like me.' And they don't see a lot of that," engineer Xavier Bennett said.
The role models are also important for students who have the inspiration, but may need encouragement.
"I build model cars just for fun. I like building things. I probably want to be an engineer that builds stuff, like building like design and building cars, cause I like drawing a lot too," LaDarrian Torry said.
