SEM Link Kicks off its 10th Anniversary Celebration

ATLANTA - Aug. 3, 2015 - PRLog -- Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link Inc. (SEM Link) on August 1^st, the first day of the 2015-16 fiscal year, began the celebration of its 10^th anniversary. The celebration started with the unveiling of the organization's new logo on its social media outlets.  SEM Link was founded in 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia by Ms. Tokiwa T. Smith, a chemical engineer who after working at a middle school in the 2002-03 academic year saw a need for urban youth to be exposed to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and STEM Careers. Ms. Smith decided the best way to do this was to provide opportunities for the students to meet and interact with the STEM community and engage in hands on STEM activities. In the 2005-06 academic year, SEM Link began offering programs at Sylvan Hills Middle School in the Atlanta Public School District, with funding from a Community Neighborhood Investment grant from the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

In the 10 years since its inception, SEM Link has expanded its programming from serving that one school in Atlanta to working with over 10 community organizations and school districts in Atlanta, DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia) and San Francisco Bay Area. SEM Link has exposed youth to STEM and STEM careers in their classrooms, communities and out of school time programs.  The organization has participated in national STEM events such as AAAS Family Science Days, BioBlitz 2014 and the USA Science and Engineering Festival in 2012 and 2014. SEM Link’s Math and Science Career Academy hosts its signature event, annual STEM Career Fair and Exhibition, in Atlanta and Oakland. For photos of SEM Link program activities of the past year, visit their photo albums on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/semlinkinc.

SEM Link will celebrate its 10^th Anniversary with various events in the urban areas they offer or are planning to offer programs. There will also be social media campaigns throughout the year to celebrate the work of the organization. “It is amazing to see what was once an idea on paper become an organization that is making a difference in the lives of children” stated Ms. Tokiwa T. Smith Founder and Executive Director “Ten years ago, we started at one middle school in Atlanta and now we have served youth in 4 urban areas, hosted our own events  such as our annual STEM Career Fair and participated in local and national STEM events. I’m looking forward to what SEM Link will do in the next 10 years and beyond.” In honor of SEM Link’s 10^th anniversary the organization is asking individuals to make a minimum financial contribution of $10 to their “Donate Your Lunch Money” Individual Donor Campaign.  Donations can be made via their website, www.semsuccess.org or by mailing a check or money order made payable to SEM Link to P.O. Box 30441, Oakland, CA.

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) or @semlink on Instagram (http://instagram.com/semlink). For more information about SEM Link visit our website at www.semsuccess.org or email us at info@semsuccess.org.