In a meeting held on September 29, 2023, at the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) Headquarters, a group of education advocates gathered to discuss the resurgence of the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) conference within BCPS and explore avenues for deeper engagement in the upcoming 2024 BEYA conference.

The meeting commenced with a welcome from Senator Benjamin Brooks, setting the tone for the discussion. The focal point of the gathering was to reintroduce the BEYA conference to BCPS students, offering them a vision of success in STEM fields.

Tyrone Taborn, a leader of the BEYA conference, emphasized the vital role BEYA plays in guiding BCPS students toward success by providing them with tools and resources within the STEM ecosystem.

During his presentation, Taborn unveiled the future of STEM education, with a focus on emerging technology trends, notably prompt engineering for AI. He discussed the potential for BCPS to take the lead in preparing its students for the careers of tomorrow.

A Unified Front: Positive Response

Enthusiasm and support were evident among attendees. Taborn invited Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers to attend the forthcoming BEYA conference and directly engage with BCPS students and educators. He also proposed presenting teacher awards at the conference and fostering student-mentor partnerships with BCPS students and STEM leaders.

Informational materials were distributed to key figures, including Dr. Rogers, Dr. Melissa DiDonato, and Dr. Michael Grubbs, providing insights into BEYA’s mission and activities.

A Vision for the Future: AI-Powered Digital STEM Library and STEM City USA Metaverse Platform

A significant part of the discussion included the upcoming AI-powered Digital STEM Library to be released by BEYA and the STEM City USA Metaverse Platform. These innovative initiatives promise to revolutionize how BCPS students access and engage with STEM resources. The AI-powered library will provide students with cutting-edge educational materials, while the Metaverse Platform will create immersive learning experiences in the digital realm.

A Strong Pledge: Superintendent’s Appreciation

Dr. Rogers expressed her appreciation for the work done by BEYA and her desire to forge a deeper connection between BCPS and BEYA, empowering BCPS students in the STEM sphere.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to fostering collaboration between BEYA and Baltimore County Public Schools, ensuring that BCPS students and educators are fully engaged in the upcoming 2024 BEYA conference. The promise of this united effort holds the potential to inspire, empower, and elevate BCPS students toward a brighter, STEM-focused future.

As the dialogue between BEYA and BCPS deepens, it’s clear that a transformation in STEM education is on the horizon—one that will shape the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators. The alliance forged on September 29, 2023, may well be remembered as a catalyst for a new era in Baltimore County’s educational landscape.