Before participating in Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers, Cerenity Brant struggled through middle school science, squeaking by with a 69% average. After attending the STEM-enriched educational experience, which aims to empower middle school students from under-resourced schools to build STEM and entrepreneurship skills, her mindset changed. “When I did the program, I was like, ‘Wow! Science is important. I do need to learn this,’” Cerenity says. She now proudly reports she is a steady A and B student.
Like Cerenity, Joshua Garner assumed he disliked STEM. But attending the Verizon program in middle school was an eye-opener for him; Joshua found that he was no longer intimidated by technology. Perhaps even more importantly, he says he learned the power of collaboration in devising a solution.
A 2021 survey revealed that 85% of students who took part in Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers credited the program with making learning more interesting; the same percentage said they liked the program more than their traditional classroom setting. The summer program is part of Citizen Verizon’s plan to help move the world forward for all; it is free and open to middle school students in select areas. (Find details here.)
Five program alums, including Cerenity and Joshua, open up below about how Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers influenced their studies and their goals for the future.
Continue reading
Mentors make lasting impact on students
The mentoring component of the Rural Young Women program at Prince George’s Community College helps students engage and march toward bright STEM futures.
A teacher, engineer and computer scientist on mentoring next-gen STEM stars
We brought together three former mentors of the Young Men of Color program to discuss how the program helps students connect to STEM — and to their own bright futures.