On February 9, 2013 Twin Cities high school students will compete for $1,750 in scholarships at the Black History Month Science Fair hosted by the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated – Zeta Nu Sigma graduate & professional Chapter. Currently, the success of Black and African American youth in fields of STEM is severely disproportionate in comparison to the success of others in those same fields. With this initiative it is our goal to provide an opportunity for culturally relevant academic competition that students would not otherwise be invited to experience. Cultural relevance combined with competition as well as social and fiscal reward will create an environment where students can draw on their cultural frames of reference to bring personal relevance to their projects. This will allow for participants as well as their peers to more deeply internalize information. Jackie Roehl wrote: "Since the brain needs emotion and meaning to pay attention, making learning personal and emotional for students can bring about the most lasting lessons". This concept lies at the heart of the Black History Month Science Fair initiative. In addition, we will distribute scholarships that uplift youth of the Twin Cities by demonstrating a tangible investment of time, energy and finance to encourage and prepare them for success in the near and distant futures. We want the message to be clear to our students: "Your community is thoroughly invested in your success."

Thirty participants will be selected for participation by a small committee including members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated based on creativity of project and relevance to the theme (Black History Month), as well as eligibility & adherance to the rules of the science fair found here: http://bit.ly/BHMSFRules

Scholarship winners will receive special trophies from Crown Trophy (http://www.crowntrophy.com/) to go along with their scholarship and sponsors of winning students will receive awards as recognition for participation in the success of this event.

The application for participating in the 2013 Black History Month Science Fair is available now. Interested students may apply online here: Online Application If you would like to download a printable version of the application it is available here: http://bit.ly/BHMSFApplication

::Congratulations to our 2012 Winners::
Aris Prince: 1st Place
Ellis Sherman: 2nd Place

Previous sponsors include:
Comcast/Xfinity
KMOJ
Twin Cities Rise!
Univ. of MN - African American and African Studies Department
Pillsbury United Communities

Additional supporters include:
Twin Cities Regional Science and Engineering Fair
National Society of Black Engineers
Crown Trophy
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Liberation Clothing & Gifts, LLC
Minneapolis College Prep Academy
Project Footsteps

We are currently accepting donations of any amount. Our Donor Reward Opportunities start with the "Sponsor a Scientist" level. $400 gives students a chance to earn a small book scholarship while demonstrating an investment in the success of the youth in our community. Other sponsorship opportunities include "Carver" or "Quantum" level donation; We ask that your organization assist us in reaching our goals by investing in students who might have the opportunity to change negative paradigms and successfully matriculate to colleges and careers of their choice. Your donation is tax deductible.

Please mail your contribution to:

BHMSF | Urban Institute

1119 W. Broadway

Minneapolis, MN 55411

Please make your check or money order payable to: Urban Instituted of Service and Learning. Each sponsor will be recognized on the event program and if a sponsored project wins a scholarship that sponsor will be recognized with a plaque. Additional details are provided in the Sponsorship Opportunities section of the Sponsorship Overview Available at: http://bit.ly/BHMSFOverview