Fifty-five students from Southeast Middle School chose to come to school on a teacher workday so they could travel to NC A&T State University and explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) majors and careers as part of the college’s Verizon Innovative Learning Program.

The program, led by a team of mostly college students, spoke to their college experiences while sharing about their various majors (engineering, computer science, applied chemistry, and mechanical engineering). Southeast Middle School students were also able to learn about college life on campus, tour the campus, and eat in the school cafeteria– a major highlight for the middle school students. After lunch, they separated into groups and worked with Sphero robots to learn coding, Tinkercad software to develop designs to be 3D printed, and Snap Circuits to build electrical connections.

This was an amazing opportunity for middle school students to experience college life and begin thinking about their futures. Students who attended are also invited to a three-week summer camp at NC A&T filled with STEM activities, competitions, and team building.

Press release courtesy of Anne Hedrick.