“A Transformative Experience” – Myron on Unleashing Potential’s Youth Program for STEAM
Program: Youth Development
When Myron entered Immanuel United Church of Christ, he didn’t know much about GPS: Geo Power Squad, other than it was a youth program for STEAM. He already knew he loved STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, cultural Arts, Mathematics). He’d even coded a game in fifth grade that had been quite popular among his peers. But he’d never thought about how STEAM could be used to achieve global goals, and that the purpose wasn’t just STEAM for STEAM’s sake.
But this is exactly what they focused on as part of the first cohort of GPS: Geo Power Squad, a new youth program for STEAM offered for 6th through 8th graders in the Ferguson-Florissant School District by Unleashing Potential.
“Think about an issue in the world that you really care about,” said one of the STEM coordinators. “How can we use science to solve for that issue?”
For Myron, his passion is cars. He grew up around BMWs, and, when he’s pressed about his passion, he can quickly get from 0 to 60 about what’s under the hood.
But some cars drink a lot of gas and contribute to pollution. So when Myron was challenged to think about global good, he wondered, “How can we use science to cut down on environmental harm from cars?”
This has gotten him thinking about these types of relationships in a deeper way than ever before. He’s started researching Hyundai Sonata hybrids with solar roofs that charge the electric motor when it’s sunny. It’s gotten him fascinated with the BMW i8 series for their hybrid electric motors.
“I love the program,” Myron said. “It’s been really transformative experience.”
*Actual student/name has been changed to protect child’s identity
