SEM Link brings hands on STEM to the “Reading Rainbow in the Park” in East Palo Alto on May 18

OAKLAND, Calif. - May 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link Inc.’s (SEM Link) Math and Science Career Academy will bring hands on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities to the Third Annual Reading Rainbow in the Park.  The event hosted by Stanford Alumni in partnership with Computers for Everyone will take place on Saturday, May 18th, 2013 from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Bell Street Park at 550 Bell Street, East Palo Alto, CA. This event encourages families to join in the fun of reading with youth and teenagers of all ages. There will be reading activities, games, contests and entertainment throughout the day hosted by volunteers and community organizations as well as the San Mateo County mobile literacy bus to register attendees for free library cards. Free books will be given to all youth attending. There will be free food, refreshments, snacks, and many giveaways. This event is free and open to the public; however pre-registration for your family or a group is strongly suggested at: http://readinginthepark.eventbrite.com/

Over 20 local organizations have signed up to host activities and support the event. 106 KMEL’s Lady Ray will serve as the Master of Ceremonies with the KMEL Street Team on site playing music.  This event hopes to bring awareness to the benefits of reading by exposing kids, teenagers and families to a variety of community resources, programs and books for entertainment, education and empowerment. "I wanted to bring this event to our youth because of the impact books made in my life. Growing up poor and disadvantaged, my mother often took us to places that were free which were the park and the library. I was able to go to Stanford despite my circumstances because being able to read at a young age gave me an edge. With the internet and TV entertaining our youth and taking away their attention, I wanted to remind our community about the wealth and power of books." - Marlayna Tuiasosopo, event organizer and creator.

SEM Link’s hands on STEM activities are for kids of all ages. These activities not only give students an opportunity to develop their STEM literacy skills, explore the creative side of STEM  and observe STEM in the park. “SEM Link is excited to support this event because good literacy skills are important for students to be able to academically achieve in STEM and pursue STEM careers.  If you don’t have good literacy skills you will not be able to develop your scientific literacy skills which are necessary for understanding STEM” – Tokiwa T. Smith, SEM Link Founder and Executive Director.

About Reading Rainbow in the Park

For more information about the event visit http://www.readingrainbowinthepark.org/, check out the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/558747777502680/, or contact the event organizer at (415) 517-8843 (tel:%28415%29%20517-8843) or tui3@stanfordalumni.org.

About SEM Link

Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link, Inc. (SEM Link), a tax-exempt national nonprofit organization, founded in 2005 by Ms. Tokiwa T. Smith in Atlanta, Georgia on the premise that exposure to members of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) communities is critical to student achievement and career exploration in math and science.  Our two core programs, Experimental Design Program and Math and Science Career Academy, enhance the STEM educational experience for K-12 students by providing them with opportunities to engage in hands-on STEM activities, explore STEM careers and learn about real-world applications of STEM. Since our inception we have served thousands of youth in Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area and the Washington DC Metro Area. Like SEM Link on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/semlinkinc)  and follow @semlink on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/semlink) For more information about SEM Link visit our website at www.semsuccess.org or email us at info@semsuccess.org.