N.C. First Lady, Commerce Secretary Visit Science House
They met with students in the Catalyst program, which focuses on creating opportunities in STEM for high school students with disabilities.
North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper and Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders visited The Science House at NC State on Wednesday, July 28. They met with students in the Catalyst program, which focuses on creating opportunities in STEM for high school students with disabilities.
The gathering was also a celebration of the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Science House partnerships with North Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Services and North Carolina Space Grant — as well as to promote people with disabilities in STEM careers and educational pathways.
After hearing from Cooper and Sanders, students with the Catalyst program presented their ideas for ways to improve STEM education and the workforce to better support people with disabilities. The event concluded with an invitation to observe the Catalyst students in a chemistry lab session.
The Catalyst program was recently named a STEM Program of Excellence by the International Engineering and Technology Education Association, marking its third national award in just five years.
Check out photos from Wednesday’s event:
North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders (left) and First Lady Kristin Cooper visited The Science House at NC State to meet with students in the Catalyst program. 
North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper speaks with students in the Catalyst program at NC State’s Science House. 
Catalyst program students listen to remarks by North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper and Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. 
Catalyst program students listen to remarks by North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper. 
NC Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders addresses the Catalyst students. 
NC Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders addresses the Catalyst students. 
NC Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders addresses the Catalyst students. 
Catalyst program students listen to remarks by North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper and Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. 
As part of the event, Catalyst students shared their ideas on how to improve STEM education and the workforce to better support people with disabilities. 
As part of the event, Catalyst students shared their ideas on how to improve STEM education and the workforce to better support people with disabilities. 
North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders (left) and First Lady Kristin Cooper listen to Catalyst students as they shared their ideas on how to improve STEM education and the workforce to better support people with disabilities. 
As part of the event, Catalyst students shared their ideas on how to improve STEM education and the workforce to better support people with disabilities. 
As part of the event, Catalyst students shared their ideas on how to improve STEM education and the workforce to better support people with disabilities. 
North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders (left) and First Lady Kristin Cooper listen to a Catalyst student sharing his ideas on how to improve STEM education and the workforce to better support people with disabilities. 
Catalyst program students and staff surround North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper (center, black dress) and Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders (center, brown dress) at the Science House on NC State’s campus. 
North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders (left) and First Lady Kristin Cooper (right) took photos with participants after the event. 
Catalyst program students work on an experiment in the chemistry lab. 
Catalyst program students work on an experiment in the chemistry lab. 
Catalyst program students work on an experiment in the chemistry lab. 
Catalyst program students work on an experiment in the chemistry lab.
- Categories:
