HARLEM CHILDREN SOCIETY
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Mission Statement
Harlem Children Society (HCS) is dedicated to promoting and evolving an innovative, extremely high-end, one-on-one, hands-on scientific research programs in bio/medicine, engineering, technology & allied fields.This highly sought-after program pairs leading scientists, engineers and doctors in reputed institutions and universities with children and youth from families living in under-resourced and under-served communities. TARGET: HCS serves Children and Youth living in under-resourced and under-served communities and School districts. We refer to these communities and societies as “Harlem” - which is not just a geopolitical identity. Ultimate Goal A society for better humanity by creating awareness in scientific literacy and social issues. ULTIMATE GOAL: A society of understanding and tolerance to the different value systems and ideas, so that we can live in a certain peace and harmony. WORKING PHILOSOPHY:
About This Cause
HCS is dedicated to promoting and evolving an innovative, extremely high-end, one-on-one, hands-on scientific research programs in bio/medicine, engineering, technology, & allied fields. This highly sought-after program pairs leading scientists, engineers and doctors in reputed institutions and universities with children and youth from families living in under-resourced and under-served community. They either qualify for free lunch, and/or are well below the U.S. poverty lines. Consistently over the past decade, about 97% of the students have been from Minority Backgrounds (~46% are African American, ~25% Hispanic, ~18% Asian, ~8% Native American). In addition, consistently, about 62% of the students have been Young Women. Over 25% of the students have been the first in their families to graduate from a university degree or college diploma. HCS tracks and performs a longitudinal study of all its participants. One hundred percent of the students who have gone through HCS programs have either graduated from University/ College, or are still at various stages of study in the campuses nationwide. Over 80% of the students have maintained a relationship with the sciences. We therefore firmly believe that HCS has not only been a leveler in the playing field for needy students, but also of their families and communities that HCS serves. The proposed institute will further strengthen our resolve in building on our experiences that we have been developing for the past Eleven years. This will enable us to move another notch - a unique venture anywhere - preparing students right from their tender ages in pre-high school to young adults - for Twenty-first Century Careers. This not only will give them the adequate skills necessary to remain competitive in our increasingly Globalized 'flat world', but also pull whole communities out from the poverty cycle (as our students are below the Poverty line). Our time tested, proven methods and result oriented programs have laid the ground for increasing our deliverables to our community and society with tangible, measurable and sustainable results. WORKING PHILOSOPHY: To transform certain issues prevailing in “Harlem” today with involvement of science and society and move to the –“Unreal”—an idea from the “Unreal-yet” to a certain “Reality” in the future in the world. To create a seed and a template for other regions of the world where, through the involvement of culture that prevails in each community, we increase awareness-of scopes of venture-ship, thereby helping communities to improve their Socio-economic status. To empower people to take pride in their own communities and create a village - an entity of self-fulfillment - a village within a city, a Village within a Village and ultimately a World of Villages! OUTREACH & RECRUITMENT: Harlem Children Society uses a very comprehensive approach at reaching the constituent population that it serves. At the outset of the program it reaches out to all the Principals, Science Teachers and Guidance Counselors by phone and electronically to pre-select and identify students who hold promise, below the US poverty line or qualify for free lunch. Students are constantly presenting their work at schools, to their peers, and at professional conferences. In 2010 and 2009, HCS sponsored a select group of 60 participating students to present their research at the Annual International Meeting of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society in Raleigh Convention Center in North Carolina and Houston, Texas. Founded in 1886, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society is an international honor for multidisciplinary research societies whose programs and activities promote the health of the scientific enterprise and honor scientific achievement. There are nearly 60,000 Sigma Xi members in more than 100 countries around the world. The society also has over 200 Nobel Laureates. All of these students showcased their research in the form of posters. Six HCS student participants were recognized and awarded medals for their exceptional poster presentations representing their summer internship research. Science Parades and Street Fairs & Festivals are innovative events that bring high-level science, cutting edge technology, and compelling issues directly to the public. The Harlem Science Parades and Street Fairs & Festivals are attended by more than 2000 people and have been organized in collaboration with the New York State Office and the Rockefeller University Chapter of Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society. It features hands-on technology and research exhibits, experimental theater involving the general street audience participation in health, technologies, environmental and other issues, a poster competition with participation by over 500 students, representation by colleges seeking to recruit promising science students, and an all-star live performance including music and dance line up. Sister fairs have been held concurrently across the globe in the Hopi Reservation in Arizona, Monterrey in Mexico, Meru in Kenya, Calcutta in India, Moldova and Christchurch in New Zealand. All events were broadcast and webcast live. Students, staff, and festival attendees in New York had the opportunity to actually talk face to face with participants in these distant locations throughout the day, creating an exciting and virtual international experience. Family involvement and post-program planning is an essential feature. From the beginning, families are engaged with information about the program and the opportunities available to their children. Parents are always invited to their children’s presentations and workshops as well as special guest lectures. They are kept apprised on college applications, financial aid, and employment opportunities. Efforts are made to involve families in the planning of the street fairs. Parents will to keep journals about their children’s experiences, their own histories and reflections on science, technology & society, as part of an archive and publication that captures powerful and often poignant stories of people seeking a future for their children, communities, and society. BRIEF HISTORY: The 'Harlem Children Society" was founded on June 5, 2000 by Dr. Satyajit (Sat) Bhattacharya, who currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer. An International team of highly committed and exceptionally qualified experts was formed to serve as the Board of Directors. HCS is a private, Not for Profit Organization, recognized by the City, State, and Federal Government. DONATIONS to HCS are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We see our involvement with the communities as an enterprise and an experiment to increase entrepreneurship. It is an enterprise for generating hope, an enterprise for creating a culture, an enterprise for equipping a community with knowledge and awareness that would propel itself into the future.. We have a Broader Vision and a certain Philosophy, which we believe is unique in our involvement in science and awareness in the society at large. THESIS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE: HCS believes that the education of the students does not end within the confines of the four walls of the classroom and regular school hours. We believe that the real education happens when the students leave and are involved in their home life and neighborhoods. Why science? — Because, science plays such an important part in our lives, which will open avenues to self-improvement through existing and future technologies. We aim to quell as much misinformation as possible, encourage a healthy debate and provide a helping hand for the benefit of our society at large. The above goals would be met by the following steps- Researchers in science and medicine and other established experts in various fields of science and technology would be invited to give lectures, seminars and workshops in the high schools in the socio-economic compromised neighborhoods. The students would be encouraged to write reports on these visits for which they would be given school credits. During the summer some of the motivated students would be directed to Research/Educational Institutions under the Mentorship of the respective leaders. We coordinate these activities with the principals and teachers. Thus, the students will be exposed to different fields of sciences and receive a boost by the creation of internships not only during summer break, but also all throughout the school year (after school hours). The program will help the students to have sense of belonging and develop a sense of responsibility early in their careers. Thereby, such programs will help these communities to ultimately better their socio-economic status. The students are encouraged to participate in summer science street fairs to showcase their achievements to their own neighbors and family members. The goal of the HCS is two-fold: to increase awareness of the role of science: and to lend a helping hand in providing an opportunity to the under-served and under-represented communities and neighborhoods in Harlem. This process of science education would be carried out by involving local talent--high school students, their parents and families. The community will be attracted to participate through the medium of various art forms, such as theatre, dance, art and other entertainment projects involving the sciences. Our goal is to increase community pride, and promote self-reliance and to offer an incentive to seek the skills necessary for success and personal satisfaction. We hope to plant a seed for more communities to be involved in similar educational programs. JOIN US: You may Join and Support us by: 1) Being a Supporter of Our Programs 2) As A Student 3) As a Teacher 4) As A Mentor 5) Guest Lecturer 6) Volunteer 7) Contributor to Our Journals & Education Materials