La Salle Catholic College Preparatory in Milwaukie, OR recently celebrated the launch of its four innovative engineering and technology offerings as part of the school’s new science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) Academy. The STEM Academy began in the fall of 2010 driven by current research showing the dramatic increase in demand for those who will work in STEM related fields.
Dr. Bernard Harris, Jr., NASA astronaut and first African American to walk in space, visited the school during the official kick off and open house January 27. Harris, who started a foundation to empower young people, especially minorities and the socio-economically disadvantaged, also visited with students during the day and presented his “Dare to Dream” speech.