Event: New Harlem Renaissance: Using Science & Technology, Educations & Research to Mobilize the Future of our Workforce: Harlem Science Parade and Street Fairs & Festivals 2011

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

What: The Harlem Children Society (HCS; www.HCS2k.org), in association with the Association of Science & Society, and the Rockefeller University Chapter of Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society will organize the Annual Science Parade and Fair & Festivals in Harlem, NYC on October 1st, 2011. The events will attract hundreds of community participants from all New York City boroughs, Long Island, and tri-state area. Conceived and implemented by Dr. Sat Bhattacharya, a molecular geneticist, over EIGHT successive years, these innovative events are designed to bring science & society to the masses in novel and fun ways, also featuring a variety of entertainment, making science education and awareness accessible to everyone, regardless of background. The event will showcase hands-on research in leading labs and institutions done by hundreds of high school and under-graduate students, including students in the HCS's own Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) and Allied Sciences Program – all from under-resourced and under-served neighborhoods. High schools, Universities, Hospitals, and Other Academic and Scientific Organizations will participate, recruiting students and connecting the community with their organizations.

Date:  Saturday, October 1st 2011

Time:  11.30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Location: Science PARADE: 115th to 125th Street on 7th Avenue
Science Fair: New York State Office Building Plaza (on 125th Street & 7th Avenue)

RVSP Contact: Dr. Sat Bhattacharya T: 646-643-8563; Cell: 646-643-8543
Email: [email protected]

Who: Distinguished Guests will include:
* NYS Senator, Liz Krueger;
* NYS Assemblypersons: Linda B. Rosenthal & William Scarborough
* Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stinger;
* NYC Council members: Robert Jackson, Dr. Mathieu Eugene;
* NYC Commissioner: Raymond Kelly (Police), Brian Kelly (Small Business), Jeanne Mulgrav (DYCD), and David Goldman (Local Business)
* NYC Community Board# 7 President, Helen Rosenthal
* The Honorable Indian Consul P.K. Mohanty;
* NYC Councilmember & Deputy Majority Leader, Leroy Comrie

Why: In a unique venture and a direct effort at bringing science & technology, and creating scientific awareness in our communities, the "Global Harlem Science Parade and Street Fairs & Festivals," has been a major showcase of the HCS held in the fall of each year for the past EIGHT years. The goal of the events is to bring sciences directly to our communities and to promote the importance of access to knowledge and education. The immense sense of pride communicated by the students within their own communities is a powerful force in generating community involvement and creating social responsibility. This unique venture is also aimed at fostering a dialogue in the different health, environmental and other pertinent issues relevant to our communities. We feel that such a fair is good for our community in creating diverse opportunities in education, and scope in scientific literacy and awareness especially for our younger generation and community at large.

With a paucity of educational and hands-on research opportunities for under-served and under-resourced students, the internship program provides a much needed entry point into STEM disciplines at a time when innovation and research are targeted as solutions to improving and transforming our economy at the highest levels of leadership.  HCS, the 11-YEAR institution founded and spearheaded by Dr. Sat Bhattacharya has already served over a thousand students in STEM programs with considerable success – 100% in college/university, 80% in the sciences, and 20% in Ivy League colleges. It served approximately 250 students in 2011, with projected growth to 1,000 students by 2012. The program is a global concept and has served approximately 96% of students from minority backgrounds.

SOURCE Harlem Children Society