Verizon Innovative Learning

Free summer STEM enrichment program for middle school students

Every student deserves access to a better future. That’s why we’ve launched the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers program– an engaging, hands-on program developed to enrich learning through design thinking, 3D printing, augmented reality, social entrepreneurship and mentorship. This program creates a more diverse pipeline for future careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields; no prior knowledge or experience is required.

Join us Summer 2024!

The program takes place over the course of one 3-week session.
June 10 - June 28, 2024

Shawnee State University
Morris University Center Lobby

The program is free and open to all students in grades 6-8.
The program is inclusive and welcomes all genders and nonbinary youth.

For more information, contact Kim Ellison at
kellison@Shawnee.edu or (740) 351-3477.

Building a Brighter Future

Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, access and innovative learning programs that transforms the learning experience, and also provides the tools necessary for remote learning to enable students to develop the skills, knowledge, and capabilities they need. Verizon Innovative Learning is a key part of Verizon’s goal to help move the world forward for all as part of Citizen Verizon, our plan for economic, environmental, and social advancement.

Launched in 2015, the Verizon Innovative Learning programs for Young Men of Color, Rural Young Women, including non-binary gender students were the first-of their kind created to teach middle school students next-gen technology, STEM and entrepreneurship skills through hands-on, interactive instruction. The program initially was launched at select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) to focus on young men of color. Then in collaboration with national non-profit partner NACCE, it was expanded to include girls in 2017, supplementing existing opportunities for girls in urban areas and other communities by partnering with community colleges in rural locations.

The programs begin with a summer immersion experience and then meets monthly year-round. It partners the students with mentors, and exposes them to the many career opportunities that STEM, technology and entrepreneurship hold for their futures. The programs equip boys and girls with insights to become creators and makers through 3D design and printing, coding and app development, virtual and augmented reality and more.

The mentorship activities provided in both programs are based on self-empowerment. These activities are realized through a focus on each student’s unique goals. The individual practices that college mentors focus on Rural Young Women include self-meditation, confidence building, fear conquering, and public speaking. Also, the Young Men of Color mentorship opportunities are focused on exploring cultural differences, holistic development, social empowerment, and career exploration. College students provide mentorship for the program participants in STEM fields to speak to the students about career journeys. Mentorship opportunities are set to expand to all campuses and include mentorship assisted by high school students in the summer of 2021.