What do WIT participants do?

• Enjoy mentoring by industry professionals

• Visit local industry partners

• Participate in industry job shadowing

• Take part in professional development activities

• Visit universities and community colleges

• Participate in community service

• Hear from and meet guest speakers

• Have scholarship opportunities

• Give back – by mentoring junior high school students

Bracelet Story

The WIT bracelet is made of leather and steel. Because we are training for the workforce, it is important to take this opportunity to talk about the history of these two materials. Leather has been in use for thousands of years. The Egyptians were using leather in 5000 B.C. for sandals, gloves, and military equipment. such as in saddles for horses or the reins for an ox pulling a plow. Today leather is still used for gloves and boots as a means of modern protection and remains a vital part of our culture. Leather represents something that is durable, but also incredibly adaptable that has stood the test of time. Fellow students, when you see the leather of your bracelet, remember that you too must be durable and flexible. While things in life might not go as planned, if you are durable and flexible you can get through it.

Steel is a combination of iron, carbon and small amounts of other elements. This mixture has also withstood the test of time. It revolutionized our country as we transitioned from primarily wood to steel in the early 1800’s as we began the industrial revolution. It was used to build railroads, bridges, structures and to improve shipping vessels. Steel continues to be used throughout our industrial world. Steel is designed to be strong, yet moldable and adaptable. Made up of elements that by themselves are weak, when put together, they are strong. So, my fellow students, when you see the steel of your bracelet remember that you also need to be moldable. Alone we may falter, but together, we are strong. You all represent this organization and your school with pride.

Achieving Together with Optimistic Mentoring

ATOM is supported by WIT members for Briscoe JH students. The ATOM Program provides WIT members an opportunity to give back by interacting with and mentoring young elementary and middle school students – engaging them in academic activities that impassion these students to stay focused on a strong STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) path. Both WIT and ATOM members thoroughly enjoy this opportunity. These students are able to meet with each other and share the challenges of being successful students. Members are able to participate in a wide range of activities that have varied from making Christmas cards for our U.S. troops, playing math and science vocabulary bingo, studying and tutorial activities, robotics competition preparation, and SOS (Science on Saturday) engagement. ATOM creates a spark that ignites a unique collaborative, nurturing relationship between older and younger students interested in pursuing STEM.

The program is a year-long commitment between the WIT member mentor and an ATOM mentee.

ATOM Mentor Program Goals:

• Increase students’ sense of self-worth

• Improve students’ perspective toward STEM education

• Help students develop and define short-term and long-term goals

• Encourage social awareness through community service projects

• Build positive relationships and support networks with adults and peers