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BASF, Cisco Step Up to Serve at Neal Middle
More than 200 hundred volunteers from BASF and Cisco descended upon Neal Middle School to help students think and plan for their futures by engaging them in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning activities. This is the second year these companies have supported Neal during their Day of Service.
“We are so happy BASF and Cisco have returned to Neal to expose our students to things beyond the classroom walls and even beyond the city of Durham,” said Neal Principal Michael Fuga. “The Day of Service activities are a great way for people in the community to see the great things Neal’s teachers and students are doing while providing hands-on experiences for the kids.”
The volunteers showed students how to make “slime,” build robots and code. Students and volunteers also took part in “speed mentoring” where the students asked questions about future plans from college to careers. BASF and Cisco employees also helped students plant a teaching garden that will not only teach the students about cultivating vegetables, but also produce fresh food that can be served in the school’s cafeteria.
“Giving back to the community is core to Cisco’s culture. Our employees love to take every opportunity to demonstrate the power of technology and show students all the career paths it can offer them,” said Cisco Community Relations Manager Megan Zeishner. “We had a great time mentoring the students as they built robots, learned to code, played Connected Basketball and more. It was a wonderful way to give back in honor of the 9-11 Day of Service”
All of the volunteer activities provided students with access to resources that will enhance learning outcomes while improving the school’s appearance and environment.
“BASF team members are passionate about science and agriculture education and enjoyed interacting with the students. We feel it’s important to be a part of the education process and teach youth where their food comes from and how to grow and maintain their own gardens, as well as help them relate science to their everyday lives,” said BASF Community Relations Manager Amy Baldwin. “Our hope is that we inspired students – our future leaders – to pursue their educational interests.”