BGESS/EECS Science Fair

The Science Fair was begun by BGESS in 1997 as a way to reach out to the next generation of scientists and engineers. Students from McClymonds and Oakland Technical High Schools in Oakland conducted experiments under the supervision of mentors from BGESS and BESSA. They demonstrated their projects on Cal Day, the University's annual open house, to a panel of Berkeley professors who served as judges.

Due to its great success, and the efforts of the UC Berkeley's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Interactive University, and the Lawrence Hall of Science's ACCESS Project, the Science Fair has become an annual event. We at BGESS salute all the students who have participated in the Science Fair in the past years, and are filled with the hope that the Fair will spark the interest of the next generation of scientists and engineers.

BGESS Recruiting

Each fall semester BGESS members recruit for the UC Berkeley college of engineering's graduate engineering and science programs. We travel across the country to many campuses, as well as attend NSBE regional conferences. In the past several years, one or more BGESS members have been present at the college and career fairs of all of NSBE's fall regional conferences, representing all 50 states. We seek to recruit underrepresented groups to graduate school, particularly Berkeley's graduate school programs.

SUPERB

BGESS helped institute and now regularly assists the Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley (SUPERB). The program offers outstanding underrepresented engineering students the opportunity to gain research experience by participating in research projects with engineering faculty and graduate students. Upon completion of this program students will be better prepared and motivated to attend graduate school. SUPERB is targeted to students of color, first-generation college students, educationally disadvantaged students, or students from historical minority institutions.

For information on SUPERB, click here

Annual Symposium

BGESS has held an annual symposium to discuss issues of importance to engineers of African descent. Past keynote speakers have been Dr. Bonnie Gitane and Dr. Asa Hilliard.

Future Black Faculty Database

BGESS is maintaining the Future Black Faculty Database to collate and disseminate information about graduating Doctoral candidates. The database will collect information about African-American PhD candidates from across the nation and be publicized as a resource for administrations searching for African-Americans to fill faculty positions.

BGESS/BESSA Alliance

BGESS maintains a close relationship with BESSA, its undergraduate analog. BGESS members often provide mentoring and tutoring services to Berkeley undergraduates in the College of Engineering.