Students Establishing Educational Dreams (S.E.E.D.)

Planting in the minds of young students that their futures are filled with educational possibilities.

Working in collaboration with the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives and Project SERVE, S.E.E.D. reaches out to the students and teachers of Detroit elementary schools.

S.E.E.D. works both in and out of the classroom through the Classroom Partnerships and the Campus Day Programs. Classroom Partnerships puts University of Michigan student organizations and departments into elementary classes for one-time, hands-on activities. Campus Day brings young students to the University for a day of exploration and excitement. Currently, Stellwagen and Noble Elementary Schools are S.E.E.D. schools.

The History of S.E.E.D.
Students Establishing Educational Dreams

Winter 1997: Chris Drake, a teacher at Stellwagen Elementary School in Detroit, contacts the Project SERVE office at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. SERVE is a student run organization dedicated to fostering service opportunities for University students. Mr. Drake is looking for UM students interested in coordinating a field trip for his fifth graders.

Spring 1997: Eighty 5th graders from Stellwagen visit the University of Michigan through S.E.E.D.'s first Campus Day program. The kids are matched with UM students; together they visit places around both central and athletic campuses, do a science experiment, surf the internet, eat lunch and interact with one another.

The day is such a success the planning team decides to expand the program the following year.

Fall 1997: Eighty fifth graders from Stellwagen participate in the Campus Day program.

Spring 1998: 150 students from Noble Elementary and Hally Middle Schools of Detroit visit UM as part of Campus Days. Children make request for UM students to come to their schools.

Fall 1998: S.E.E.D. gains support from the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives. Classroom Partnership begins. Eight student groups, including Mortar Board, African Student Association, LSA Student Government, Project SERVE, and the Indian American Student Association, teach lessons at Noble and Stellwagen Schools.

By December 1998, over 550 elementary students and 150 University of Michigan students and staff have participated in one or more of S.E.E.D.'s programs.