The idea of a Pre-College Engineering Day came about in the mid 1990’s, as LAESA-SHPE’s members grew concerned with the increasing high school dropout rate of minorities and their low representation in the math, science, and engineering fields. LAESA-SHPE decided to take action, and in 1995, hosted the first annual Pre-College Engineering Day (PCED), an event formerly known as the High School Student Leadership Conference (HSSLC). Now, PCED continues to give students the tools needed for a successful college career in engineering and beyond. PCED events started in 1995 and have continued on a yearly basis mostly because of the participation and economic support of the college, businesses, and organizations that believe in developing the young minds of today for a more promising tomorrow.
The objectives for PCED are to:
The objectives for PCED are to:
- Educate and empower students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
- Inform High School students of the existence of college students as well as professionals willing to mentor them in their pursuit of science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers; and at the same time provide them with professional role models.
- Promote leadership among college and High School students in order to increase Hispanic and other minority representation in the engineering fields.
- Develop networking and communication skills among High School and college students, and create a peer support program.
- Develop teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills, and prepare students for a more productive educational and professional career.