Alpha Academy - Empowering Future Leaders - November Session Summary

Joint Session Summary

The November Alpha Academy session focused on the theme of current events and social issues, with a joint discussion centered on fairness, respect, and standing up for what is right. Mentees explored the importance of understanding differences, recognizing racism and bias, and demonstrating courage in real-world situations. We emphasized the power of kindness and respect as foundational values for strong character and leadership. The interactive activity invited participants to respond to multiple scenarios reflecting fairness, bias, and courage. Students moved to designated areas of the room based on whether they believed each scenario demonstrated fairness, or unfairness, bias or lack of bias, courage or a missed opportunity to act courageously. This movement-based format encouraged critical thinking and active engagement, and mentees demonstrated strong comprehension and participation. All students received a take-home handout summarizing key concepts and reflection questions to support continued learning between sessions.

POCs: Brothers Richard Messick and Stephen Williams

Elementary School Chess/Robotics Session Summary

The session began with an engaging discussion on the history of robotics, tracing its origins back approximately 3,000 years to ancient Egypt. We compared the functions of robots and humans, highlighting that while humans possess brains, robots operate with

computer processors. The participants learned about the similarities between a robot’s battery and the human heart, noting how both serve as vital power sources – batteries transmit signals through wires just as the heart pumps blood through vessels.

To bring theory to life, students had the opportunity to program LEGO Mindstorm robots. They explored various functionalities, making the robots move straight, turn in circles, and execute other programmed commands. This hands-on activity not only enhanced their understanding of robotics but also encouraged teamwork, problem-solving skills, and creativity.

POC: Brother Dexter Moore

Middle School Pinewood Derby Summary

This enriching session focused on equipping young minds with the tools necessary to design high-performance race cars. During the workshop, participants discussed the key components of car design and explored various drawing techniques. They practiced translating their ideas into detailed sketches on graph paper, ensuring they could effectively communicate their designs to their mentors. The workshop concluded with an encouragement for students to refine their drawings, as they will create and submit their final designs in the next session.

POCs: Brothers Michael Askins and Jermaine Wilson

Middle School Drone Program Summary

During the drone session, we welcomed new team members while current students took the initiative to help their peers learn how to operate the drone and the controller. They demonstrated various flight maneuvers, fostering a collaborative learning environment that emphasized teamwork and support.

As the class progressed, we revisited a speed calculation exercise for all four drones. This time, we ensured all batteries were fully charged to compare their speeds accurately. This practical application of math and technology not only enhanced the students' understanding but also highlighted the importance of creating, leading, and documenting an experiment.

To further enrich the learning experience, students were introduced to Blockly, the programming language they would use for automated flight. They learned how to integrate their calculated speeds into the program to effectively guide their drones. The class was highly interactive, with enthusiastic participation from all attendees.

POCs: Brothers Dr. Adrian Hood and Jamaal Whaley

High School Session Summary

The high school group engaged in an in-depth exploration of voting history in the United States, past and present voter suppression practices, and the importance of civic awareness. Students participated in a myth-busting exercise that clarified widespread misconceptions about voting rights, election processes, and suppression tactics still used today. The session also featured a special guest, Bro. Vic Carter, former news anchor for WJZ CBS Baltimore. Bro. Carter shared insights from his distinguished media career and discussed his transition into new work following retirement. He led a powerful conversation on understanding media and social media, highlighting the impact of misinformation, the consequences of false stories, and strategies for identifying unreliable content. He also spoke about broadcast journalism as a profession, the rapid evolution of the industry, and the critical need for storytellers who report with accuracy, ethics, and purpose. Students were highly engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and benefited greatly from the opportunity to learn directly from an industry leader.

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