51AV

51AV A&M University students traveled to Washington, D.C., for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) HBCU Making and Innovation Showcase.

The showcase is a yearly event during which students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, in consultation with a faculty advisor, develop an innovation or prototype in response to one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This year those goals included Quality Education, Zero Hunger and Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Ten (10) teams from eight HBCUs compete to win $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place. 

AAMU’s team members include the following:

Kamsiyochukwu Arinze, a junior computer science major from Lagos, Nigeria

Da'Quandalon Daniel, a sophomore computer science major from Gadsden, Ala. 

Olasubomi Olawepo, a junior computer science major from Lagos, Nigeria

DeTavein Walker, a sophomore computer science major from Huntsville, Ala.

The two-day showcase also includes a host of professional development sessions on career opportunities and pathways for HBCU students, resources for HBCU faculty members and more. 

Dr. Ed Pearson is the faculty advisor.

The Showcase Pitch Competition was livestreamed on Saturday morning, September 24, from 8–10 a.m. (EDT) with winners announced at 12:30 EDT. Watch it :

Pictured (top, l-r) Kamsiyochukwu Arinze, Da'Quandalon Daniel, Olasubomi Olawepo, DeTavein Walker

by Debra Daniel