DeVry University, Former Olympian Encourage MacArthur Ninth Students to Pursue STEM

Dr. Mark Crear

Earlier this spring semester, 60 career and technical education (CTE) students at MacArthur Ninth Grade School attended a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) presentation by DeVry University.

The university and the ninth grade campus are working together to encourage students to pursue STEM careers.

The goal was also to help students be open to STEM. For example, most folks don’t realize the connection between science and sports. The MacArthur Ninth Grade group got a surprise when former Olympian Dr. Mark Crear also took part in the presentation as the keynote speaker. Crear talked with students about the sports-science connection.

Crear also talked about overcoming personal hurdles in life, which led him to be successful in life. He gained world attention when he won the 1996 Olympic Silver Medal with a broken arm and the 2000 Olympic Bronze Medal with a double hernia.

Abel Garza, a representative from DeVry University, and Shakira Sherrod, counselor at the ninth grade campus, organized the event.

“This was an amazing experience for the students,” said Sherrod. “The students not only learned to be open about STEM possibilities in their future but were also fascinated by what Dr. Crear shared with them.”