According to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” 

Dr. King’s words served as a special theme for the Minorities in Energy (MIE) STEM and Energy Literacy series kick-off event during the holiday that honors Dr. King's legacy. This educational series is being underwritten with generous support from BP America, which has signed on as an MIE Industry Partner. There will be several additional MIE STEM and Energy Literacy events across the country in 2015 that will expose students ages 11-16 to the world of science and energy.

The MLK day event  brought over 180 Washington, D.C, Maryland and Virginia metropolitan families to the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center to engage in hands-on science and energy activities. Students from elementary through high school were able to learn about energy efficiency, ride a bike connected to light bulbs to learn how their physical power can generate electricity, conduct a plasma energy experiment, and participate in many more unique science experiments. The kids were also able to meet science, technology, engineering and math professionals who volunteered their time to engage more students in STEM fields.

Director Dot Harris, who heads the Department’s Minorities in Energy Initiative and the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, spoke to the students about igniting new dreams, taking advantage of opportunities in STEM education,  and reminded them to uphold their strength of character—all values at the center of Dr. King’s dream. Chris Smith, the Department's Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy, also encouraged the students to have curious minds and explore opportunities in energy and science.

As one student summed up when asked how the activities impacted her, “You know what,” she said, “today helped me realize, I am going to be someone.”

In addition to BP America, the STEM and Energy Literacy event was supported by the Association of Science and Technology Centers, the Department of Energy's Office of Economic Impact and Diversity and Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the D.C. Public Housing Authority.