Published:  February 15th, 2007 02:54 EST
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PBS's Design Squad Debuts at Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science
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Our nation faces a daunting challenge: college-bound students' interest in engineering majors and careers is on the decline and statistics point to an even greater decline in interest among minority and female students. How do we develop a larger, more diverse talent pool of engineers today to devise the technological innovations of tomorrow? Design Squad, a new reality television series that starts airing on PBS during National Engineers Week (EWeek), Feb.18-24, 2007, address this critical situation. Targeted to 9- to 12-year-old viewers, Design Squad's premise is: getting kids excited about engineering can be accomplished when you have the right ingredients--energy, enthusiasm, humor and teamwork. On Feb.16, the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science (MS)2 will welcome cast members and producers of Design Squad and its major funders, the National Science Foundation and Intel. Design Squad is right at home at (MS)2, whose mandate is to prepare middle school students to study and pursue careers in math, science and engineering through innovation and technology. Students will get a sneak preview of the show, participate in a hands-on engineering activity and interact with one of the show's hosts and a Design Squad contestant. For information about Design Squad, visit: http://www.pbskidsgo.org/designsquad What: PBS's Design Squad Sneak Preview at Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science Who: Design Squad cast members Deanne and Krishana Kate Taylor, Senior Executive Producer, Design Squad Marisa Wolsky, Executive Producer, Design Squad Kathie Olsen, Deputy Director, National Science Foundation Brenda Musilli, Director of Education, Intel Corporation James H. Johnson, Jr., Professor of Civil Engineering and Dean, College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences, Howard University Paul Organ, Principal, Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science When: 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Friday, February 16, 2007 Where: Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science, Main Howard University Campus, 405 Howard Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. Media are invited to attend. Photography, filming and interview opportunities are available. For press materials, visit http://www.wgbh.org/pressroom Media Contacts
Mary Beth LeFaivre, WGBH (617) 300-5335 mary_beth_lefaivre@wgbh.org
Dana Topousis, National Science Foundation (703) 292-7750 dtopousi@nsf.gov
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