CONNECTICUT PRE-ENGINEERING PROGRAM, INC. Information

In 1986, a group of engineers, college faculty and secondary educators created an innovative out-of-school program designed to inspire and prepare underrepresented and underserved students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. Launched in one school with 40 students, CPEP is now in 11 school districts, 42 schools and directly impacting 1,500 students annually across Connecticut. CPEP serves as a catalyst to change underrepresented and underserved students' knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward the pursuit of STEM education and careers. Results indicate there is a consistent 60 percent increase in the percentage of students who desire to pursue a STEM career after just one CPEP experience and 90 percent of CPEP students report acceptance into college. CPEP has won several awards recognizing the organization for its achievements and accomplishments, including the Turbo Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management by the Harvard Business School Alumni Association of Connecticut, the Golden Torch Award from the National Society of Black Engineers, the Presidential Award from the National Science Foundation for its Mentor Program in the New Haven Public Schools, and the 21st Century Solutions Award by NBCUniversal Foundation. With 2013 marking its 25th anniversary, CPEP seeks to leverage its accomplishments to continue to grow and position CPEP to impact the workforce of the 21st century.