Lawrence Tech’s Hidden Figures Scholar Program Hosts Detroit High Schoolers

SOUTHFIELD—Inspiring girls from underrepresented populations to pursue STEM education and careers is the aim of the Hidden Figures Scholar^TM program at Lawrence Technological University.

In events that began last spring and continued through early December, LTU’s new program hosted a series of workshops for more than 150 girls attending Renaissance, Osborn, Northwestern, and Crockett Midtown high schools within the Detroit Public Schools Community District. The students learned how to write computer code to program drones and LTU’s robotic dogs, as well as 3D modeling, scanning, and printing, and game development using Unity software, a game development engine.

Patrick Nelson, dean of the LTU College of Arts and Sciences, said a total of 95 students attended the workshops this fall, led by Wisam Bukaita, Ph.D., assistant professor in LTU’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and another 61 visited this past spring under the guidance of Sibrina Collins, founding director of LTU’s Marburger STEM Center.

Nelson praised the “integral role that LTU’s Marburger STEM Center played in the program’s success, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience,” under the leadership of Jay Jessen, the STEM center’s director; Theresa Lindsey, LTU executive director of K-12 partnerships and outreach; and Carl Grolle, STEM Center program coordinator, along with student assistants Gavin Weber and Madi Clark.

Attendees gained valuable STEM knowledge and skills. At the coding workshop, students were led by a robot dog to the LTU computer lab, where they watched a video on the history of Hidden Figures before learning how to program the robot. At the 3D printing workshop, students designed and printed their own creations. And at the game development workshop, students learned how to use Unity to create their own virtual gaming worlds.

“The idea is to motivate these students to pursue their passions in STEM fields and become leaders and innovators in the future,” Nelson said. “LTU is proud to support and encourage the next generation of female leaders in science and technology through the Hidden Figures program.”

Bukaita and Collins were aided in the workshops by more than a dozen LTU students, who served as volunteer teachers.

About LTU’s Hidden Figures Scholar^TM program

Lawrence Technological University’s Hidden Figures Scholar^TM program in the College of Arts and Sciences is an experiential STEM education and engagement initiative designed to inspire, empower, and transform girls and women from historically Black communities who are interested in pursuing careers in and related to mathematics and computer science.

Inspired by Hidden Figures, a biographical book and movie highlighting the previously unrecognized Black women mathematicians that helped NASA win the space race, the program aims to support young Black women by offering skill-building workshops, summer camps, mentorship, and scholarship opportunities. By creating a structured and supportive environment, and providing practical experience in STEM skills such as mathematics, 3D printing, robotics, and programming, the Hidden Figures Scholar^TM program prepares girls and young women for future academic, research, and professional success in STEM careers.

The Hidden Figures Scholar^TM program is presented in collaboration with LTU’s Marburger STEM Center, LTU’s central office for K-12 STEM outreach efforts, and received its start through generous philanthropic support from the Community Foundation from Southeast Michigan and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association.

In addition to high school students, the LTU College of Arts and Sciences will expand the program to serve young Black women in community colleges that are interested in attending LTU, as well as young Black women in LTU undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. programs that include mathematics and computer science.

About Lawrence Technological University

Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 independent, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932 and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs@LTU as part of its growing Center for Professional Development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report list it in the top tier of the best Midwest colleges. And LTU is included in the Princeton Review’s “The Best 390 Colleges 2025 Edition,” a list of the nation’s top 15 percent of colleges and universities. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.