PEORIA (25News Now) – Students in Peoria are getting hands-on experience with science and technology through workshops led by a Brooklyn-based organization.
The organization Genius Potential traveled more than 800 miles to bring real-world STEM learning into local classrooms. It is leading workshops at three Peoria schools, teaching students about STEM careers by having them build Bluetooth speakers and explore how everyday technology works.
The program is a partnership between Genius Potential, TRIO Talent Search at Illinois Central College, and Peoria community activist, Marc Supreme.
“When you come in from the largest market in the United States of America being New York City, they have a perspective that a lot of people that grew up in Peoria all their life just don’t have, and we wanted to bring that to the students because the community is the classroom, the country is the classroom,” said Marc Supreme, director of TRIO Talent Search at ICC.
Bert Gervais, co-founder of Genius Potential, said the hands-on approach helps students see possibilities for their futures.
“When students feel seen, they show up. And I think exposing students to STEM and these types of hands-on projects at this age, it plants a seed in their minds. It makes it possible. When they start to think and see these STEM careers on TV, they go, ‘hey, I could do that,’” Gervais said.
Organizers believe the program will give students confidence, exposure, and a clearer path toward future careers in science and technology.
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