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Welcome to the Verizon Innovative Learning for Minority Males (VILMM) Programdirected by Texas Southern University!
Thank you for choosing to participate in Verizon’s innovative program for minority males. We promise you three weeks which will stretch the minds and imagination of our participants


General Information

Here are some guidelines and information to help to create the best experience for your child.

Participants will receive a continental breakfast, lunch and a snack each day of the program. Their schedule will include classes in 3D printing and design, coding and robotics, plus career and leadership training.

The three-week session is just the beginning. The Verizon Minority Male Makers Program @ Texas Southern University will continue throughout the year with scheduled events and mentoring opportunities on weekends.

Child Safety - Emergency Information

Drop-off and Pick-up Protocol - The drop-off and pick-up location is in front of the H&PE Arena, located at 3000 Wheeler Ave. near the corner of Ennis and Wheeler, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Monday - Friday. During the first week of the program, sessions will only be held July 1st – July 3rd, due to July 4th Holiday.

A parent, guardian or authorized designee must sign the child in and out each day. An authorization form with the name and phone number of ALL individuals who can pick up your child must be signed by the parent or guardian. Children will be released ONLY to people listed on the form.

Instruction ends at 4:00 p.m. each day. Parents/guardians MUST pick up their child by 4:30 p.m.

Please complete all of the required forms and bring them with you to the Parents’ Orientation on June 29th. The orientation will take place on the campus of Texas Southern University at H&PE Arena at 10:30 A.M.

Medical Information - Please list emergency medical information for your child, including any food allergies or other potential medical issues.

We want this to be an enriching, positive and safe experience for all of the participants, so there will be a zero tolerance policy for a physical or verbal abuse among the participants. If an incident should occur, the parties involved will be dismissed from the program.

Preparation

Dress code - Participants should wear pants, shorts, or jeans and a t-shirt to the sessions. Jeans with holes and cut-offs are not allowed. Parents are urged to follow the same attire guidelines implemented at your child's school.

Full Participation

The Verizon Minority Male Makers Program is designed to expose boys to the excitement and opportunities of careers in the STEM field. The program will be fun and educational, but participants need to be present and on-time every day to reap the full benefit. Participants with perfect attendance will be rewarded at the end of the program.

Graduation Celebration

A graduation ceremony will be held at the end of the session. Each child will receive a certificate of completion and those with exemplary performance in the program will receive a gift. Please make plans to attend the ceremony on Friday, July 19th at 2:45 p.m.

This will be a unique experience for young male participants. Thank you for allowing the Verizon Minority Male Makers Program at Texas Southern University to expose your child to the ever-changing STEM world.

Constact Information

If you have any questions, please contact LaRence Snowden at (713) 313-6844 or verizonmentoring@tsu.edu.


FAQs

  • The camp will consist of a three-week intensive learning experience including courses in augmented and virtual reality, coding, 3D design, entrepreneurship and design thinking principles. 
  • Following the summer, the students will participate in monthly sessions throughout the academic year where they will develop a technology solution for a community problem that aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Lunch and refreshments will be provided to the campers at no-cost during the summer sessions.
  • Technology equipment will be provided for student usage and learning throughout the Program.
  • There is no cost to attend this camp.