Enlightening! That 's what the message was for members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines/Ocean City on January 16th when they heard from pictured guest speaker, Brenda J. Dingwall, Equal Opportunity Officer for NASA from the Goddard Wallops Island Facility (right), about the science and technology gap in the USA and how it's being addressed on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Brenda said that today the US is sadly no longer first in the world in science and technology due in part to the fact that our children are no longer going into the science and engineering field because expectations and opportunity to do so are no longer really at the forefront, unlike past times of the 1950's and 60's. Reportedly, today over 50% of the engineers in the US are over the age of 45 and on the Eastern Shore it's over 57%. She said that if this shortfall is not addressed, the long term will see even more impact on our lives in the near future. It's a red flag situation.

In response to the need, the Wallops Island NASA Center offered summer internships for youth to work side by side at the center to develop skills and interest in science and technology by means of their "STEP -UP" (Science Technology Engineering, Pipeline for Underserved Population) Program. As a result, some of the interns, 7 of the original 9, are pursuing Environmental, Mechanical, and other engineering and technical degrees. The Eastern Shore now has it's first time four year course of study in engineering available for students that did not exist before September of 2007. It's offered at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).

In addition, Brenda wears two hats, so she informed the club about another project separate from NASA with which she is involved. Camp AGAPE is a 12 day summer camp program for children aged 8 - 11 who are at risk. The camp teaches individual skills and team building to the children within the framework of the fun of a summer camp where they receive the attention that many of theme don't normally receive. Why did Kiwanis hear about it? Because the goal of Kiwanis is "Serving the Children of the World" and the common thread of her message was about children and an opportunity to help. If you want to learn more about either of the two programs and how you can help, contact Brenda Dingwall at Brenda.J.Dingwall@nasa.gov (e-mail is the best option) or by phone at 757-824-1412. It's all about our children and our future.