D. E. Smith Institutional Excellence
STEAM Education Programs
The wide range of activities and experiences offered at D. E. Smith Institutional Excellence (DESIE) related to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) empowers your child to get out of their comfort zone and learn something new. Our incredible staff are intentional and purposeful in their passionate acts to ensue everyone gets the chance to exercise their brains. To date, DESIE has 4 established STEAM education programs, STEAMSquared, Cape Internship, Holistic Wellness and Becoming the Ace.
STEAMSquared
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics
Stewardship, Teamwork, Entrepreneurship, Authentic Acclimation & Mental Wellbeing
STEAMSquared is a phenomenally impactful mentoring program that holistically focuses on the advancement of youth academically, professionally and mentally. The program laughed in 2022 with over 200 engagements, in the first year, and has continued to grow. The success of STEAMSquared has been attributed to sustainable efforts geared towards aiding the youth in finding and fostering their passions, divergency in opportunities and demonstrating the beauty of intersectionality. Furthermore, our program is distinctive in that it organically incorporates global perspective as it relates to accessibility and inclusivity, cultural awareness and calculated drivers of innovation into learning modules.
All youth starting at 6 years of age are welcome to participate in programmatic efforts that range from formal school environments to "Ten Toes Down" pop-up community events. The goal of the program is to facilitate opportunities for your child to interact with diverse professionals from a variety of intellectual backgrounds, conduct hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematical activities, practice business and dinner etiquettes, and engage in college preparation workshops and community service. In addition, this program connects the participants and parents with industry leaders that bestow entrepreneurial "best practices" and actionable directives to those interested in product and/or system development.
Contact us to the learn about our 3 specially designed STEAMSquared programs and upcoming offerings, as well as take a peek at our Newsletter.
CAPE Internship
Champions of Adversity Pre-College Engineering (CAPE) Internship is our second mentoring program that has a special focus on individuals in high school with chronic illnesses, varying physical capabilities and/or psychological conditions. The program consists of university and industry tours, networking with diverse professionals in academia encompassing a variety of expertise, scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical research and active learning, exploratory outdoor experiences, confidence workshops and much more.
D. E. Smith Institutional Excellence (DESIE) partners with NC State University's College of Engineering and The Science House Catalyst to provide this wonderful opportunity for youth to autonomize their STEM learning adventures at a world-renowned academic institution with professors and graduate students eager to acclimate your child to their labs and help aid in their discovery of innovative solutions to societies grand challenges.
The internship experience is a paid opportunity and unique in that it is tailored to your child's interest, while establishing a sense of belonging amongst other interns, DESIE staff and the NC State University "Wolf Pack" community. The total number of contact hours will be 24, which occur all in one week over the summer either in June or July.
Contact us to learn about how to apply and take advantage of our CAPE Internship, as spots are limited.
Holistic Wellness
Holistic Wellness is a program that strives to promote and aid participants in developing a positive mental health by implementing techniques derived through an indigenous lens and understanding the power of tapping into the engineering and creativity matrix. This program combats depression and anxiety, as well as improves memory, reasoning and resiliency. A major component of the Holistic Wellness initiative is expression through art, as the beneficial effects of creating aren't dependent on a person's skills or talents. It's all about the process, not the product!
Contact us to the learn about engineering and creativity matrix events.
Becoming The Ace
Becoming the Ace is a professional development program that focuses on proven methods to solidify your dream career by helping participants develop an eye-catching resume or curriculum vitae, dress for success and perform STAR devising interviewing to secure the bag. In addition, the program provides branding, presentation and negotiation skills to assist you when seeking efficacy within an organization and opportunities to level-up.
Contact us to the learn about upcoming events.
Our Responsible Staff
Warm. Supportive. Transparent. Caring
The D. E. Smith Institutional Excellence staff is made up of highly experienced educators, coordinators and counselors who are dedicated to making sure all of our participants, collaborators and external stakeholders have the time of their lives and exit our space feeling invigorated, knowledgeable, confident and authenticated.
DESIE is the brainchild of...
Dr. Veronica Mbaneme
Executive Director | STEAM Education Program Manager
Dr. Mbaneme (also known as Dr. Lady V) has a doctorate in Biological Engineering from NC State University and over a decade of experience mentoring individuals, of all ages and from all walks of life, academically, athletically, professionally and mentally.